Where to Develop Film in Pittsburgh in 2023.

---

Last Updated

July 11, 2023

Powered by Creative Commons.

Photo attribution available here.

This site contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

If you’re a film photographer in Pittsburgh, your options for developing film are pretty scarce. Especially if you like to shoot less common formats (large format, for one), you might not have much of an option.

That said, we’re just happy that Pittsburgh still has at least a few places to develop disposable cameras or film. Check out the list of options, including which types of film are accepted at each lab, below.

• Premier Imaging
• Bankrupt Bodega
• Eastern Standard Photo
• Bernie’s Photo Center
• Map of Where to Develop Film in Pittsburgh
• More Options

Premier Imaging is a full service, visual solutions company that includes film processing in their long list of offerings. 

You can bring in your 35mm or 120 film, whether it is C-41 color, black and white, or E-6. Black and white and color film are processed onsite, E-6 is sent elsewhere.

One limitation to note is that Premier Imaging does not push/pull film. Not really something we’ve seen too often, but definitely may be a dealbreaker for some. 

Premier Imaging also operates a second location in Monroeville.

Bankrupt Bodega is a lot of things: a clothing line, an art gallery, an event space, a photo lab, and, most importantly, an organization that truly celebrates the Pittsburgh community.

Established in 2018, this shop collaborates with local photographers to create unique clothing items featuring their work, art prints, and zines. It only makes sense that Bankrupt Bodega has since opened a photo lab of their own in the multi-use space.

You can drop off your 35mm and 120 film at Bankrupt Film Lab, whether it’s C-41 color or black and white. Film is processed by hand and you have a choice of two different sized scans.

Eastern Standard Photo is a woman-owned photo lab that is all about film. Not only do they offer film developing and scanning, but you can also take part in a workshop or rent film cameras.

The most common types of film can be developed by Eastern Standard – 35mm and 120 medium format film if it is C-41 color or black and white.

Unfortunately, Bernie’s Photo Center has ceased operation of in-store film developing.

As far as we know, you can still drop off your film and they’ll send it to another lab for processing.

Bernie’s usually stocks some pretty sweet film cameras, so it may be worth checking out even if they don’t fit the bill for your developing needs.

Map of Where to Develop Film in Pittsburgh

Other Options

Since most of the places to develop film in Pittsburgh outsource at least some of their processing, you might be considering trying to develop disposable cameras or film at the drugstore. 

A decade ago, you could walk into just about any drugstore chain and drop off a roll of film while you pick up a prescription or buy toilet paper. And more times than not, you’d get your photos back in an hour!

But things are quite a bit different nowadays and especially if you haven’t shot film in a long time, you should definitely know a few things before going this route. 

We’ve found which drugstores still develop film and broken down all of the potential downfalls to entrusting them with your valuable photos. 

Everything You Need to Know About Developing Film at the Drugstore.

We much prefer sending out film for developing by mail over taking it to the drugstore. Especially after 2020 when photo labs around the world had to close their doors, mail-in developing became the norm.

Just about every lab takes some amount of orders by mail, these days. If you already have a processor that you like, we’d start by seeing what they have to offer. A lot of labs have an online shop for film processing where you can place your order and pay through their site before sending in your rolls.

Still, plenty of labs do things a bit more old-school than that. Even your nearest Mom and Pop photo shop will probably be perfectly willing to accept your film by mail, even if they don’t advertise it. Just reach out to them and see if they have a specific way they do things.

Now, if you don’t have a photo lab in mind and you’re not limited by their location, you have more choices than you could ever need. We’ve found the most popular options and broken down our top tips for making sure your film gets to its destination safely.

Guide to Developing Film by Mail / Online (Best Labs + Tips).

Anywhere Else?

Do you anywhere else to get film developed in Pittsburgh? Any experience with any of these labs? Let us know in the comments below.