FAQ

Yes! Disposable cameras use 35mm film, so please select from those options, and we’ll take it from there.

From setting up tax savings to our Risk-Free Print policy (see below), we work extremely hard to get the best pricing to our customers automatically. However, we do offer quantity-based incentives. For film processing or scanning as well as for prints, quantity discounts start at orders with 10+ rolls or identical single prints in a single order. Email us if you're in this boat, and we'll figure out the best price for your volume.

If you use us often for any quantities, see our Membership plans.

• 35mm // Standard Scans are 3,130 x 2,075 pixels, JPG

• 35mm // High-Res Scans are 6,774 x 4,492 pixels, TIFF

• 35mm, 2:1 (XPAN) // Standard Scans are 5,606 x 2,048 pixels, JPG

• 35mm, 2:1 (XPAN) // High-Res Scans are 12,297 x 4,492 pixels, TIFF

• 120, 4x5 // Standard Scans are 2,514 x 1,929 pixels, JPG

• 120, 4x5 // High-Res Scans are 5,028 x 3,859 pixels, TIFF

• 120, 6x6 // Standard Scans are 2,504 x 2,504 pixels, JPG

• 120, 6x6 // High-Res Scans are 5,008 x 5,008 pixels, TIFF

• 120, 6x7 // Standard Scans are 3,149 x 2,514 pixels, JPG

• 120, 6x7 // High-Res Scans are 6,298 x 5,028 pixels, TIFF

• 120, 6x9 // Standard Scans are 3,752 x 2,514 pixels, JPG

• 120, 6x9 // High-Res Scans are 7,505 x 5,028 pixels, TIFF

Note: We scan all medium-format films with some borders. Border scans are not always completely even and are narrow enough to still not include the text on the frame of the negative. Most customers prefer to have the option to include borders, so we leave them present by default.

All Standard Scans are delivered as JPG files. For TIFFs or the highest possible resolution, please select our High-Res Scans or our top-tier Pro DSLR Scans.

Apart from some instances with Polaroids and other reflective works on occasion, we now use flatbed scanning rarely, as we have upgraded to a new proprietary system for all of our highest resolution scans. Pricing and exact resolution options will be announced and available soon. In the meantime, please request a custom quote if you require services not currently available on the site. Due to over-scanning at a resolution beyond what the scanner can typically resolve (for good measure), downsizing and lightly sharpening accordingly, making minor color corrections that won't take away your ability to still make your own sweeping changes, and then finally delivering a file at a resolution that makes sense for the resolving power of the scanner, final file resolution will vary, as always, according to the size of your negative. Our base scans for sheet film start around 35 MP minimum and can go up into the gigapixel range if needed. While it’s quite high, film does have a limited resolution. Accordingly, we will do whatever you want us to do, but we do not recommend scans above certain resolutions that do not make sense for the original size of the negative (i.e. above ~25 MP per square inch, or 35 MP for 35mm film, 120-300MP for medium format film, 500 MP for 4x5 film, and 2 gigapixels for 8x10 film < all these sizes are already a bit overkill, which is just how we like it. Anything further is a waste of your money).

For standard-resolution and high-resolution TIFF images, we still use our lab-standard commercial scanner.

We can process all 35mm and 120/220 film, including those with varying frame sizes. We also officially offer 35mm Panoramic scanning (XPAN / 2:1 ratio) and 220 processing and scanning. For 220, please add two 120 rolls to your cart for every 220 roll you send in for processing and/or scanning, and we’ll take care of it. Panoramic film processing and scanning has no surcharge for 35mm film.

Please read more about prints by seeing the Print product page and the print-specific FAQ questions below. Do keep in mind: services for film like 220 film and half-frame 35mm film will require a double-charge per roll since there are twice as many prints (for half-frame, we still print 4x6 minimum, as there is no 2x3 option; so it's twice the material and work cost to us as well, still).

With slightly more limited services in some cases, we also process and scan 110, 126, 127, 620, APS, and all large-format film (please reach out to us directly via email for questions about sizes larger than 8x10). There is no extra charge for these films compared to their closest 35mm or 120 relatives (except 220, which has a double charge). Check out according to the key below if you have any of these unique film types:

35mm Checkout
35mm (standard, half-frame, or panoramic), Disposable Camera, APS/Advantix, 110
Half-frame Note: Process-only carries no additional charge. For proper process+scan checkout and to avoid over-/under-charging, please check out for process separately, and then add scan-only services, doubling the scan roll count to receive up to 72 individual half-frame scans. For 36 double-frame scans (two scans per image), normal checkout is acceptable without incurring a surcharge.

120 Checkout
120, 126, 127, 620, and 220 (please double the roll count at checkout for 220)
For panoramic medium format scans, please note there is a small surcharge for formats larger than 6x9. Please inquire if needing this service.

We can currently push or pull color negative (C-41) and B&W (black-and-white) film in increments of 1 stop for an additional charge. Please add the appropriate additional charge to your cart for all pushed/pulled rolls (and for each stop of adjustment) to your cart before checking out. Pushing and pulling E-6 is not recommended, and as such, we do not offer this service. We also offer ECN-2 push/pull, but at a higher cost due to the hand-processed nature of ECN-2 handling (minimum order/charge of 4 rolls for any single push/pull “recipe”).

At this time, we offer processing for C-41, B&W, E-6…and, we're also one of the only labs in the country to process proper ECN-2 film. Any other requests, including push/pull not otherwise offered, are possible with advanced planning and a minimum charge depending on the request. This includes extremely expired, fragile, or specialized films.
We have an absolute zero-tolerance rule for souped film (not telling us about this is a big deal, as it destroys our machines and all customers’ film), although we can process such film by hand starting in minimum quantities of 4 rolls per order as an off-menu item. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you’re safe. No need to worry.

There are two general things that change how we process (and charge for) film processing and scanning: film type (the process type) and film size (the physical size). You will need to know both of these for the film you want processed in order to properly check out on the site. Ask us anytime, or use this guide below to find out for yourself.

Film Type

There are four major film types: color negative, black-and-white, color positive/slide, and motion picture film. The processes used to process the film to a stable condition once it's photographed are referred to as C-41, (simply) B&W, E-6, and ECN-2, respectively. Your film cannister likely says the type of film and/or the process that is supposed to be used for your film. Some rare films no longer produced today might be black-and-white, but were made to be processed in C-41 chemistry and are labeled accordingly. Check the label on your film or ask us when in doubt. We always check film manually before processing it and will reach out to you if we notice any irregularities between your order sheet and the film you gave us. Don't worry: we're always looking out for you.

C-41
Color negative film is the most common type of film today. It's the brown/orange-ish film you're used to seeing in most movies and the type of film that you likely have the most of in your old albums. You can hold it up to the light and see the general idea of the image, but there is an orange/brown color cast, and it's all still inverted (negative) from what the actual image is. If you have color negative film, it should be processed as such with C-41 processing. Examples of color negative film include the popular Kodak Portra series, Kodak Ektar 100, and the recently discontinued Fujifilm Pro400H.

B&W
Black-and-white is just that. The type of film and process used to develop it use the same name, and B&W or B+W are simply abbreviations to refer to the same thing. While there are different B&W processes for different B&W film, we, as standard in the industry, take care of figuring that part out for you, so you can just worry about whether or not your film is black-and-white. Such film looks grey/silver in color and will produce a negative image that needs to be inverted to provide the proper image (this inversion is part of the standard scanning and/or printing process, but the negative always remains a negative). Examples of B&W film include nearly all Ilford films, Kodak Tri-X and T-Max films, and even Kodak's BW XX motion picture film.

E-6
E-6 refers to the process and chemistry used to develop positive color film. This is also referred to slide film because there was a time when it was common to cut the individual images out of the film and mount them in a paper/card slide that could be put into a slide projector like the common Kodak Carousel. You likely have seen these featured in TV shows such as Mad Men or in your art classes if you're not too young. Today, this is an unpopular viewing method and makes scanning film very difficult. As such, most people no longer have their film mounted. Such film is mostly black outside the image area when developed and shows a life-like, color, non-inverted image. This film looks the best to the naked eye because when held to the light, you can see the actual, real colors of the image. Examples of E-6 film include Kodak E100, Fujifilm Velvia 50 (or Velvia 100), Fujifilm Provia 100, etc. Most films with "chrome" in their name are also slide films.

ECN-2
ECN-2 refers to the chemistry and process used to process motion picture film. This process is rare in the still photography world, but we are working diligently to make it a bigger part of our universe. Motion picture film has properties that make it difficult to process, but it has also received a lot of funding for its scientific development, leading to colors and flatter profiles Hollywood directors cherish. We are now part of the solution to bringing incredible motion picture stocks to the still market in an affordable and easily accessible way. Examples of motion picture films include Kodak Vision3 films (50D, 200T, 250D, and 500T) and Fujifilm Eterna films.

Film Size

Film comes in various sizes, including 35mm, medium format, and large format. The standard 35mm doesn't vary much and generally consists of a 24- or 36-exposure roll of film. This is the most common type of film in the world and is likely what you think of when you first think of film. These days, medium format film essentially just refers to 120 film. Fun fact: this is very close in size to IMAX motion picture film, the greater size of which gives it even more resolution and clarity. Larger film size = better resolution; and with over four times the surface area, that's a lot more sharpness you can get out of 120 film. You may occasionally see the no-longer-produced 220 film format, which is just twice the length of 120 film to provide more images in a single roll, but this is no longer common or sold in stores. Finally, large format film refers to "sheet film" that literally comes in sheets of varying sizes such as 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20, the most common being 4x5 and 8x10.

All our prints are real, photographic prints exposed to light and run through real chemistry. We offer prints as small as 4x6 and as large as 8x24. We have standard 4x6 and 8x10 options, and also include larger or even longer panoramic options in 6”- or 8"-wide sizes (on the short end). The standard and only paper finish we offer is a premium Luster. There is a minimum order cost of $8.25 for any print portion of an order (orders that are under $8.25 for just the print portion will slow us down and require separate emails and additional invoices). We offer single prints (you can send a folder of images to print entirely by sending a link to hello@nycfilmlab.com), 35mm roll prints (up to 39 frames included), and medium-format (a.k.a. 120) roll prints (one roll of any format).

Please read the following notes for all medium format rolls: All 4x6s are actually printed on a 6"-wide roll. We use this 6" as the short end for all but 645 frames, meaning 6x4.8 inches is actually the smallest print you'll get if you have a 645 format. After that, images from 6x6 cameras actually result in a 6x6-inch print, 6x9 frames will provide 6x9-inch prints...you get the idea. It's a nice size. You can order all 8"-wide prints for a single roll as well. But if you require smaller prints, please simply wait for your scans to be sent to you and send us an order for singles under the Singles options with notes on the size(s) you prefer. Please email/ask us first if you have any questions about the print ordering process so we can provide pricing guidance beforehand, as there are no refunds once orders are placed due to processing and customer service costs.

We want to be as fair as possible to our customers. As such, we don't think it's right to charge someone for a roll of prints, process and scan their film, and then print 36 horrible frames if there was a human mistake and you got a blank roll...or even 20 dark frames if you accidentally forgot to turn on your flash. We also don't want to waste resources on this planet. So here's what we do:

For every full-roll print order (read below for info on Singles), we take a brief look at each image. We don't pixel-peep for perfection on a full-sized version. But we do take a look overall at the thumbnails, and any image that looks to us like, "You know, this is just going to be dark, or grainy, or super bright, or just probably won't come out right..." — we just don't print those. In theory, this ensures you only get images actually worth printing.

Now, to be real, we do have costs and order minimums that are unavoidable. So we can't just refund the full amount when this happens. It costs us something to roughly cull through these as well. However, the good news is, for every image we don't print, we give you a partial credit on a future order — all automatically. After every print order, for every image on a 36-exp. roll under 36 images we don't end up printing, we give you 1/2 the credit of a frame on a future order on a code consisting of your order number and last name (i.e. 02108JOHNSON), with a minimum credit for us to do this after 6 unprinted frames. So if we print 11 images we deem printable, you'll get credit prorated to cover 13 35mm frames in the future (36-11=25 -> 25/2=13 frames, we round up). We only give credit if more than 6 images were not printed (i.e. if 30 or more images are printed, this counts as one roll). The 36-exp. credit ceiling is proportionally measured when printing medium-format or smaller 24-exp. rolls as well, depending on total frame count, etc. That might actually put you below our order minimum, but we'll let that go. That's part of our commitment to you for committing to us and processing/printing with us. Also, if we do not print even one photo (i.e. in the case of a blank roll), we will give you 100% future credit. You will not get a separate email informing you of this, but your credit should be available to use within 24 hours of your order being ready for pickup. These credits expire in 6 months from the original order date. Best yet, this is a direct dollar-value credit you can use for anything we offer, not just prints. It's the most flexible, risk-free print policy we've heard of.

How do we decide what's worth printing? Well, we're experts in this, but we also take a very liberal approach. So you may see some sub-par quality images depending on your film exposure, etc. Some might be a little blurry still (we can only tell so much with a quick glance). But you'll avoid outright wasting a whole or even half of a roll of poorly exposed images (happens to all of us), which is better for your wallet, our planet, and your friends' eyes.

Singles
We do not do this for Singles. This is because for Singles, you're sending us a folder of images you already have. As such, you probably went through that folder (please go through that folder) and only included images you knew you wanted printed anyway.

Film can be dropped off at our shop at 321 Starr Street, Suite E, Brooklyn, NY 11237, anytime during our business hours. We also have a 24/7 drop box out front. To drop off there, please check out in advance and secure film in your own envelope along with your order number and contact info so we can get your film processed properly.

Film can also be mailed to us! See below for more details or read more on our shipping services page.

Yes! Be sure to check out for one-way or two-way shipping with your order (or do so afterward for the shipping separately if you need to add it after an already submitted order).

Any order with return shipping includes your choice of continuous sleeving (shipped back in a box to protect the film) or cut-and-sleeve for negatives (shipped back in an envelope as a flat).

Because of COVID, our city-wide drop boxes are on hold. However, we are now working hard to get our drop box network up and running again. Stand by for more news soon!

We do have a 24/7 drop box available at our shop. Read above about dropping film off for more information on that.

No problem at all. Put your film in as many envelopes as you need! Just remember to write your Order Number on all the envelopes, and everything will be compiled together back at the lab.

If you’re shipping to us and have more film than can fit in a FedEx Envelope (and only then), put it in a FedEx Pak. If it’s more than that, that’s a lot of film. Give us a call, and we’ll take care of you.

We strive for a 1-5-day delivery turnaround from the time you drop off your film. You will first receive your order fulfilled email, which is triggered when files have begun uploading. Within 12-24 hours of that email, you should receive another from WeTransfer with your file download link. Your negatives are always ready to pick up the morning following the first fulfillment email.

Turnaround will generally be best if you drop film off to us directly at our shop on Starr Street, whereas drop box drop-offs will normally add a day or two to processing time depending on the schedule of each particular drop box. Color negative (C-41) and B&W film will usually have the best turnaround times while E-6 and ECN-2 may take longer since we only process this when we have enough from our customers (usually still within 7 days, but certainly within 10 days). These timelines do not refer to scan-only orders, as those will not have these limits and are typically completed within 1-2 days. Please contact us for information about rush orders, which are possible for an additional charge and according to lab availability. Selecting Rush guarantees a turnaround time regardless of how busy the lab is.

Prints are usually turned around within 24-48 hours of having your files ready to print (i.e. add this to your process/scan time if applicable). Add reasonable shipping time if you are having prints shipped back or plan on being able to pick prints up about 48 hours after getting us your files if you're sending files in to print separately.

Best Practices
Delivery of your order will always be on the last day the last roll in that order is ready. This means an order with C-41 and ECN-2 film will take as long as those ECN-2 rolls take to process since ECN-2 generally has the longest turnaround time. If you want your rolls delivered as they're processed, please submit separate orders for each process type. However, please keep in mind quantity discounts for special promotions do require all rolls to be in the same order.

Rush Orders
Orders can be rushed based on availability and current schedule by adding rush service via the Order page. Again, this may not always be available. If available, your options are immediate rush or next-day rush. The cutoff time for drop-off for rush orders is 3 hours before close. Immediate turnaround (i.e. Same-day for anything dropped off after 4 p.m. on a weekday or 3 p.m. on a weekend) is also based on availability. This cutoff time is a guideline we can usually hit. We can often still accommodate Rush orders dropped off after this period, and occasionally cannot accommodate such orders within this period. Any Rush orders unreasonably late will be refunded the Rush fee.
Why do we use the term “unreasonably late?” Starting a Rush order means we are putting you first. There is no way to know perfectly how fast this will be depending on our current workflow, so we’re giving best estimates. Usually, if it’s just one or two rolls, you’ll get it back much sooner than our cutoff time. But if you drop off 40 rolls to us, it’s going to take more than an hour even if we put all hands on deck. The machines only go so fast. But your rolls will still come out as fast as humanly (and safely) possible.

Negatives can be picked up at our Starr Street location anytime we're open. If you dropped your film at The Whitney, please note that your negatives will be returned to The Whitney. This is the ONLY partner location with such a service (UPDATE all drop boxes temporarily suspended due to COVID). Note: We observe a strict 30-day pickup policy. If your negatives are not claimed within 30 days of receiving your scans, they will be disposed of — for real. Why? Negatives take up an incredible amount of space, and we simply do not have the capacity to archive large amounts within our lab. Please pick up your negatives.

Yes, absolutely. We offer one-way or two-way shipping (or both), so you can pick the direction(s) of service you need. For all out-going orders, we can only accept our own 2-Day FedEx shipping methods used by checking out for shipping on our site. You may use our option or your own shipping method for getting packages TO us only. We are not responsible for any lost, damaged, stolen, or otherwise compromised film shipped with any carrier for any reason, even if marked as delivered (unfortunately, some companies, and USPS especially, tend to mark as delivered before actually delivering, and then subsequently lose packages). As we do for ourselves when we have important jobs, we highly recommend you consider production insurance for high-value, mission-critical film being sent to us. We also highly recommend FedEx or UPS with signature delivery over USPS.