Where to Develop Film in Sydney in 2023.
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All across the globe, analog photography is continuing to gain popularity. Nowhere is this more clear than Australia, especially in the bigger cities.
There are plenty of great places to develop film in Sydney. But with so many options, it can be hard to decide which photo lab is best for you.
If you’re looking for guidance, check out the list below – we’ve included over a dozen options for film developing in Sydney, including which types of film each lab accepts and a map of their locations.
Most Popular Places for Film Developing in Sydney
Let’s start by looking at the most popular photo labs in Sydney. If you’re looking to develop film or disposable cameras in the Harbour City, we’d recommend starting by checking out one of these spots.
DO FILM! LAB
This lab’s name could be interpreted as somewhat of a mission statement – when you step foot inside, you’ll quickly realize that it’s all about film, all the time. Naturally, we’re big fans.
Do Film! is one of the newest places to develop film in Sydney, a lab created by photographers, for photographers.
You’ll be able to develop 35mm and 120 film, both C-41 colour and black and white. You can usually expect to get your scans back in a few days, but rush processing is available for a fee.
Aside from film developing, Do Film! stocks a great selection of film stocks and also shares the space with Viva La Film, a local business that specializes in vintage camera sales, restorations, and service. Talk about a match made in heaven.
SYDNEY SUPER 8
Devoted to film photography, both still and motion, Sydney Super 8 is doing their part to help keep analogue alive.
Anything and everything related to vintage cameras and photography can be found at this photo lab near the University of Sydney.
For starters, they develop every type of film – 35mm, 120, and large format are all processed on site, whether C-41 colour, black and white, or E-6 slide film. All film is processed using Fuji chemicals.
Service for vintage cameras and lenses is offered alongside a fantastic selection of used film cameras. If you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket, this may be a dangerous spot to visit.
As the name implies, you can expect to find an extensive selection of Super 8 cameras and folks who are incredibly knowledgeable about the format. If you’ve ever been interested in shooting Super 8, you’ll definitely want to stop by.
VISION IMAGE LAB
One of the few places for film developing in Sydney that accepts all film formats, you may be interested in checking out Vision Image Lab.
C-41 colour, black and white, and slide film can all be developed – 35mm, 120, and even large format.
Other offerings include printing, high-end scanning, custom framing, and a good selection of film for sale.
REWIND PHOTO LAB
Rewind(ing) is an indisputably key part of shooting film – it’s also the name of another place to develop disposable cameras or film in Sydney.
Rewind Photo Lab offers developing of 35mm, 120, and 4×5 film. C-41 colour, black and white, and E-6 slide film are all accepted.
You can pick up some fresh rolls of film, get prints (including C-Prints), as well as high resolution scans on your choice of scanner.
Another cool aspect of Rewind is their gallery space that exhibits photographers work.
BLANCO NEGRO
If you’re looking for the best place to develop black and white film in Sydney, look no further than Blanco Negro. Colour film shooters, please close your eyes for a moment and scroll to the next option.
All types of black and white film are developed by hand at Blanco Negro. For the utmost control over your images, you’ll have your choice of developer, as well as any other custom requests.
Once you figure out exactly how you like your film developed, that’s how every future roll will be handled.
Expect to find a great selection of film (B&W only), darkroom equipment, and even traditional contact sheets.
PIXELS PLUS
Pixels Plus is a family-run photo lab that’s been developing film in Crows Nest for over 30 years.
They offer developing of 35mm and 120 format film, both C-41 colour and black and white. Film is processed twice weekly, so don’t expect one hour, or even one day service at this spot.
Aside from film, you can find just about any other standard photo lab service you may need – printing, scanning, repairs, sensor cleaning, video transfers, etc.
ROZELLE DARKROOM
The only public darkroom in Sydney, Rozelle is a must-visit for anyone interested in developing their own film or creating traditional prints of their images.
If it’s your first time, you’ll need to take a 30 minute induction to familiarize yourself with the space and the process. After that, you’re able to rent the space by the day (in 5-hour blocks) with discounts for multiple days.
If you get bitten by the darkroom bug and find yourself a frequent visitor, you may be interested in purchasing a Membership, which allows you unlimited access to the space and helps the folks at Rozelle Darkroom keep things running smoothly.
More Places to Develop Film in Sydney
While the list above contains the most popular options, that’s barely scratching the surface. There are over ten additional spots that develop disposable cameras and film in Sydney. Check out the remaining choices below.
SYDNEY CENTRAL FAST FOTO
Located in the CBD, Sydney Central Fast Foto is one of many Kodak Express franchises in Australia. They develop 35mm and 120 format film – C-41 colour, black and white, and even E-6 slide.
Photoland
Photoland offers developing for colour, slide, and B&W film. Both 35mm and 120 medium format are accepted. They also offer prints, scanning, and a large selection of frames.
Kent Street Studio
Focused mostly on fine art printing, Kent Street Studio is another place to develop film in Sydney. They accept both colour and black and white film for processing. 35mm or 120 medium format.
Photo King
Offering high-end printing for professionals, Photo King also has film processing services available. 35mm and 120 colour film can both be developed.
Charing Cross Photo
Charing Cross Photo offers fine art printing, custom framing, and scanning. They also develop 35mm and 120 film, either C-41 colour or black and white.
Eddy’s Photos, Frames
Established in 1995 and also a Kodak Express location, Eddy’s Photos, Frames specializes in – you guessed it – photo prints and frames. You can also develop colour or black and white film, whether 35mm or 120 medium format.
Ted’s Cameras
With 17 stores across Australia and over 50 years in business, Ted’s Cameras is one of the biggest photo chains in the country.
Aside from a huge inventory of any photo gear you could imagine, they also develop 35mm colour film.
DigiDirect
Within their digiPrint photo labs, C-41 film can be developed in one hour at digiDirect.
While there are 5 locations in Australia, the Bondi Junction and Miranda locations are the only two that accept black and white film for processing.
Camden Photo Center
You can expect to find standard photo lab offerings like scanning, prints, and repairs at Camden Photo Center. They also offer developing for 35mm colour film.
Double Bay Camera Shop
Double Bay is a full-service photo shop that also develops film. Both C-41 colour and black and white film can be processed. Colour film is usually processed in a few days, black and white can take longer.
Fotolab
Fotolab still develops most types of film – colour, black and white, and slide film are all accepted, both 35mm and 120 format. Same day service is available for developing, but at a significant markup.
Photo Garden
Operating for over 30 years, Photo Garden is another spot to develop 35mm and medium format film – C-41 colour, black and white, and even E-6 are all accepted.
Map of Where to Develop Film in Sydney
Anywhere Else?
Do you know anywhere else for film developing in Sydney? Which is your favorite spot on the list? Let us know in the comments!
I should have read this article earlier… Just wasted my first two rolls on my own.
Rozelle There is also the negative darkroom in the blue mountains.
I think they’ve still closed to participants since covid though.
https://instagram.com/the_negative_darkroom?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==