Where to Develop Film in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in 2023.
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If you’re looking to develop film in Brisbane, you’ll be pleased to find that there are plenty of photo labs to choose from. No matter what type of film you shoot, you’ll have an option to have it processed locally.
But just because Brisbane is the capital doesn’t mean that it’s the only place in Queensland with good photo labs – there are also spots to develop film in Gold Coast as well as the Sunshine Coast.
Check out the full list below – we’ve included everywhere to develop film in Brisbane (and the rest of Queensland), plus which types of film are accepted at each lab and a map of their locations.
Where to Develop Film in Brisbane
You’ll have your choice of photo labs to develop film in Brisbane and that’s not even counting the chain stores that still offer the service. Take a look at more info on each of your options below.
Your Local Film Lab
You probably guessed from the name, but Your Local Film Lab (YLFL) is a small, independent lab focused on developing film. They recently made the move to West End, Brisbane.
If you need to develop disposable cameras, 35mm, or medium format film, you can bring them to YLFL. They accept C-41 colour as well as black and white.
This is a pretty small, straightforward operation – film developing and scanning are all they offer. No prints.
Foto Fast
Since 1990, Foto Fast has been one of the fastest places to develop film in Brisbane.
Paired with their central location near the CBD, you can see why they’ve been a long time favourite of analogue photographers.
You’ll be able to develop 35mm and 120 film, although the “fast” in the name only really applies to colour film. C-41 is developed onsite, whereas black and white and E-6 are outsourced.
Foto Fast also has a film dropbox outside the lab, for 24 hour drop-offs.
Developing Moments
Developing Moments is a family-owned shop that specializes in archival printing and other standard photolab services.
Fortunately, they still develop disposable cameras and film. 35mm and 120 are both accepted and C-41 colour is developed in-house.
You can still drop off your black and white film, but it’ll be sent to another lab for processing.
Where to Develop Film on the Gold Coast
We were surprised to find that there are almost as many places to develop film on the Gold Coast as there are in Brisbane. Check out all of the options below.
Purà Film
Photo labs like Purà Film have taken off amidst the resurgence of analogue photography – small, independent operations that are hyper focused on film and cater to modern photographers.
Offering film developing for 35mm and 120, Purà accepts C-41 colour as well as black and white film.
You’ll have your choice of two sizes of scans, if you opt to get them with developing. Since Purà is geared specifically towards film photographers, developing and scanning are the only services offered.
Wade’s World
Wades World is a full-service photoshop that sells all of the latest digital gear and accessories. Fortunately, they also offer some services for analogue photographers.
If you’re looking to develop disposable cameras or 35mm film, you can bring it to Wades World. They accept C-41 colour as well as black and white film.
Aside from all of the modern equipment in stock, you can also find a selection of used film cameras and lenses.
lazarus Lab
The unfortunate closure of the beloved photolab Shibui Film isn’t as hard to swallow when it spawned Lazarus Lab, a new place to develop film on the Gold Coast.
They accept 35mm and 120 medium format film for developing, whether it’s C-41 colour or black and white.
While Lazarus prioritizes quality over speed of developing, rush service is available and colour film can sometimes even be processed same-day.
They also maintain a handful of film dropboxes to make it more convenient to get your rolls to the lab.
Total Digital Image
Founded in 2002, Total Digital Image offers lab services to assist customers with any sort of visual needs. Fortunately, that includes developing film.
You’ll be able to develop 35mm and 120 film of any type – colour, black and white, or E-6.
Aside from processing film, Total Digital offers printing, scanning, and many other digital services.
Where to Develop Film on the Sunshine Coast
There may not be as many options as other parts of Queensland, but we’re happy that there’s still few somewhere to develop film on the Sunshine Coast.
Korsos Photography
Korsos Photography is a photo lab specializing in fine art and giclée printing. Fortunately, they also offer film developing on the Sunshine Coast.
You can develop black and white and colour film at Korsos – they accept both 35mm and 120.
Other services are consistent with most other photo labs. Photo restoration, printing, scanning, framing, etc.
Chain Photo Labs in Queensland
Aside from the great independent labs above, there are a handful of chain photo shops that still develop film in Brisbane and other parts of Queensland.
DigiDirect
DigiDirect is a photo shop chain with five locations across the country. Each store sells photographic equipment and offers a full list of photo lab services. Film processing makes an appearance on that list.
35mm colour film is the only type that can be developed at DigiDirect.
Camera House has a handful of locations in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.
This chain photoshop occasionally includes film developing in their list of offerings, although it can vary from store to store.
C-41 colour is usually a safe bet, though we’ve seen some locations that also develop black and white. You may want to check what your nearest location offers before bringing your film in.
Ted’s Cameras is another full-service photoshop that continues to offer film developing in Brisbane and other parts of Queensland.
Developing is limited to 35mm colour film.
As with any other chain photo lab, it’s always best to confirm with your local store which services they offer.
Map of Film Developing in Queensland
Anywhere Else?
Did we miss any good places that develop film in Brisbane? How about labs in other parts of Queensland? Let us know in the comments!