Question 1

I live outside of Des Moines, can I mail film to you?

Accepted Answer

Of course! We're now offering pre-paid USPS shipping labels for you to mail in your film from within the United States. Place your order before mailing your film!  Use the smallest mailer/packaging possible and do not use Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. If you have access to a printer, you can visit the link provided or go now to generate your own label (https://returns.usps.com/Label/CreateSingle?Code=C965027962DB4DABB9B9F60589BAE622&DisplayType=Customer)save your tracking # -- have the label EMAILED to you vs. using the Print Label (PDF) option if you experience issues with the browser pop-up. Most people have popups blocked and this will prevent you from being able to save it from your browser.  If you don't have access to a printer, you can order 3 pre-paid labels (https://www.dsmfilmlab.com/product-page/shipping-supplies-3-pre-paid-labels-mailers)and 3 padded mailers (https://www.dsmfilmlab.com/product-page/shipping-labels-for-free-shipping-to-lab)and use the supplies to mail in to us. If you'd like your negatives mailed back, be sure to select purchase return shipping by selecting "Ship Items/Negatives To Me" at checkout.

If you are able to drop off in person, we encourage that as your order will be processed quicker!

Question 2

What formats do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Color C41 & B&W in regular 35mm including disposables at no additional cost- half frame and 35mm panoramic formats are +$10, medium format 120 (6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 6x12 pano), 220 +$5, 110 (+$5), 126 (+$5), and APS (+$5).

Sorry we're not currently working with positive film E6 (slide film) or ECN-2 film with remjet still on the film base (this excludes brands like Cinestill, if it says process C41 we accept it). If you accidentally drop of a roll of E6 or ECN we will refund the cost for that roll be in touch to arrange returning it to you.

Question 3

How will my scans be delivered?

Accepted Answer

Once your order has been scanned, files will be uploaded to an online gallery. Each roll will include a set of files labeled 'Social' that are optimized for sharing on social media. 'High Res' contains your large files for printing and archiving. If you've ordered TIFF files, the 'High Res' folder will be named 'TIFF'.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2a3947_d41084b5e11244e7a0fbaa7d1737093f~mv2.png

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2a3947_ac79caf7f3b04c969126b7b583ee46d4~mv2.png
Each folder can be 'zipped' and downloaded all at once or files can be downloaded individually. Please download your files within 2 weeks of delivery and keep them in a safe place!

Question 4

Do you develop one time use (disposable) cameras?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When placing your order, treat it just like any other color or black & white roll of film.

Question 5

Where do I drop off or ship my film?

Accepted Answer

The lab is located in a house in the Drake University area, the address is 1358 21st St. Des Moines, IA 50311. *Please place your order first before dropping off* The address will also be emailed to you once an order is placed. The film drop-off box is available at your convenience, but do try to keep drop-offs between 5am - 11pm any day of the week.

Question 6

How do turnaround times work?

Accepted Answer

An estimated turnaround time will always be listed at the top of the page. The number of days quoted are business days, meaning for us, Monday thru Friday. If an order would arrive to us on a Saturday, the turnaround time starts the upcoming Monday.

Orders are often completed ahead of the times listed, however, bare in mind that it is an estimate and could take longer. Performing regular maintenance or repair of our equipment can sometimes take longer than expected and put us a little behind.

Question 7

Do you have a retail space?

Accepted Answer

No, not currently, but that is a possibility in the future. The lab is currently operated out of a house.

Question 8

Do you offer prints?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, not at this time. It's possible this will be offered in some capacity down the road. There are a lot of great options online where you can upload your digital scan files and have prints made.

Question 9

What happens if my roll is completely blank?

Accepted Answer

A partial lab credit is offered in the form of a discount code for use with future develop and scan orders. The amount varies depending on type of scan ordered: $5 for basic, $8 for standard, and $12 for advanced. No partial credits are offered for the Develop Only service.

Question 10

Who is behind the lab?

Accepted Answer

My name is Logan Christian. I'm the owner and operator, I'll be the one processing and scanning your film as well as answering any questions you might have. I put the same amount of care in each roll that comes to the lab that I do with my own. Please reach out if you have questions about film, cameras, or the lab and I'll do my best to answer!

Question 11

Why does it cost what it does?

Accepted Answer

Producing high quality scans is time consuming, even at a dedicated lab. When you hire a lab to develop and scan, you're saving a considerable amount of your own time. And not only that, the quality is still unmatched-- a difference achieved with the industry standard Fuji Frontier SP3000 scanners. There is nothing else like the Frontier-- they produce nicer colors, better pixel quality, and a sharper image over consumer scanners.
 
We understand the challenging climate for film shooters; the rising film costs can add up, especially when factoring in lab cost. This is why we try to offer an affordable option for everyone. You can develop at home and bring your negatives here to have them scanned on the SP3000. Or you can develop your rolls with us and pick them up to scan at home. We also have an affordable 'Basic' scanning option that puts some of the post processing work in your hands. Another way to save money is by becoming a member on the site and participating in the 'Rewards Program'; details are on the bottom left of your screen.

Question 12

What do you use for film sleeving?

Accepted Answer

After scanning, rolls are kept un-cut and put in continuous sleeving. If the “cut and sleeve” option is purchased, negatives are cut and put into archival PrintFile sleeves that fit an oversized binder. 35mm is cut into strips of 6 frames, 6x4.5 is cut into strips of 4 frames, 6x6 is cut into strips of 3, and 6x7 is cut into strips of 3, and 6x9 is cut into strips of 2.

Question 13

I see standard scans are your highest resolution scans, what's the pixel size?

Accepted Answer

For 35mm the approximate dimensions will be 5444x3650 or approximately 20 megapixels.

Question 14

What’s your policy on nudity? (Also listed in Terms & Conditions)

Accepted Answer

Some nudity is OK if done in an artistic way. No sexually explicit content and absolutely NO underage content is allowed. If questionable, proof of age will be required before scans are delivered. If subjects are found to be underage the proper authorities will be notified and negatives will be handed over. No refunds will be issued.

Question 15

I need my order quick, do you offer rush processing?

Accepted Answer

We now offer expedited service, called Fast Track, cutting the turnaround time down by half or more (excluding weekends & holidays). The cost is $5 per roll with a max of 4 rolls available for Fast Track. This add-on service may be disabled around holidays or when the lab has a higher than normal volume of orders.

Question 16

Do you develop slide film (E6)?

Accepted Answer

Not currently, but possibly if demand increases.

Question 17

Where do you recommend buying film?

Accepted Answer

We like filmphotographystore.com (filmphotographystore.com)for the best prices on Kodak, Ilford, and their own unique offerings. For FujiFilm https://www.uniquephoto.com/ (https://www.uniquephoto.com/)tends to have the best prices when in stock.

Question 18

Do you accept 'Film Souped' rolls or film that have gotten wet?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is: for film souping, no, but rolls that have accidentally gotten wet, yes, with an added fee. If you're unsure of what it is, film souping is an experimental process that involves soaking exposed rolls of 35mm film in any variety of household ingredients often including wine, lemon juice, or other random chemicals. After the roll has soaked, it's then dried before sending it off to the developing process. Because of the contamination this causes with film developing chemicals, special labs offer services for handling these affected rolls. Chemicals used for film souping should not be used with regular untouched rolls, which is why they need to be isolated and sent to a lab that will take them.

Rolls that have accidentally gotten wet by a camera falling in a lake, river, ocean, or any other non-chemical source of liquid, we can try to rescue them. Due to the extra handling and manual process, there is an added fee of $10 per roll to process these rolls.

Any rolls we receive that have been film souped will be returned to the customer at the customer's expense and a refund will be given for the roll(s).

To cover the cost of a roll that've accidentally gotten wet, reach out letting us know what happened with the roll and we'll send a payment request for the added fee following your regular order payment.