Questions, Frequently Asked

Order Placement and Prep

  • Orders are placed using an online store, similar to many other online shopping experiences.

    1. Head over to our online order entry store.

    2. Select the services you need, based on the type of film you shot.

    3. Pay careful attention to whatever modifiers you may want, such as film borders, scan resolution, or pushing and pulling.

    4. Be sure any rolls needing special attention, are marked in real life on the roll.

    5. Use the check-out page to finalize your order.

    6. Shipping and handling of the film will be settled at the check out stage.

    Be sure to record the first four digits of your order number, and leave that, plus your name, with your film. We need a way to match the orders to the film.

  • Take your film and place it in a protective bag, like a ziplock or similar. On a piece of paper write down the name you used on your order, and the first four digits of your order number and include it in the bag.

    You can mail your film to:

    Northeast Photographic

    1326 Washington Street, Bath Maine 04530

    If you prefer to drop off your film, you can do so 24/7 using our exterior drop boxes. Just be sure to include that name and order number mentioned above.

  • You can either select pick up/drop off at the order level, or apply “pick up and drop off” as a “shipping method” at checkout. In either case, there is no fee.

  • Place an order online for your specific services first. After that, collect your film in a bag with your name and the first four digits of your order number.

    When you drive up to Northeast Photographic, you will see a black mailbox and a beige mail-drop trunk. Either of these are great for film drops. The mailbox is theoretically more secure if you prefer that, but it will not fit large boxes or 8x10 sheet film.

  • When you are ready to come pick up your film, just send us an email letting us know when you’d like to stop by. We will pull your order, prep it for pick up, and leave it in our exterior customer pick up box. This is available 24/7 for your convenience. Your order is NOT automatically placed there.

    We will keep your order for 30 days, after which time it will be considered abandoned.

    If we do not get a pick up request within 30 days, we reserve the right to dispose of the film without warning to you.

  • Yes!

    We charge a flat return shipping fee. We do not store orders to accumulate for batch shipment due to a lack of storage space and other logistical challenges.

    We build in some time to correct issues, so one to two weeks will pass from scan delivery to return shipping. You will not immediately receive a shipping notification after scan delivery, this is completely normal. If you need your film back right away, just let us know!

    You can also opt to have your film discarded.

  • Nothing in life is 100% risk free, but the instances of the USPS losing film sent to us, has proven incredibly rare. When problems have occurred, it is usually due to poor packaging which allowed the order to get lost in sorting machine.

  • Do NOT use paper envelopes. Package your film in secure “bubble” type mailers or even better, rigid boxes. Use a service that can be tracked such as Priority Mail. Flat Rate boxes are great for sending in film!

  • Yes! We have a rewards program that is based in points. For every $10 spent, you earn 1 point. After 50 points, you receive a coupon code worth 10% off any future order. The entire system is tracked automatically by Square when you place an order and sign up for an account.

    The points are a way for us to reward those of you who support us the most! Unlike other labs who offer discounts to influencers and high profile photographers, we offer that benefit to everyone who loves film like we do. Many wedding photographers who place large orders effectively get 10% off every order throughout the year.

    The points are use it or lose it however, and they expire after 1 year.

  • Terms of Service (TOS) for Northeast Photographic

    1. General Agreement

    By sending film, negatives, or other photographic materials to Northeast Photographic (“we,” “our,” or “the Lab”), you (“the Customer”) agree to the following terms and conditions.

    2. Customer Responsibilities

    • The Customer is responsible for proper packaging and labeling of film and materials before shipping.

    • The Customer assumes all risk of loss or damage to film or materials in transit to and from the Lab.

    3. Liability for Film and Materials

    • While we handle all film and materials with the utmost care, Northeast Photographic is not liable for damage, loss, or delays caused by shipping carriers, accidents, acts of nature, or equipment failure.

    • The Lab’s liability, if any, for loss or damage is limited to the replacement cost of unexposed film or an equivalent roll of film. The Lab is not responsible for the actual or sentimental value of images.

    • The Lab is not responsible for any items included with customer film, such as special bags, Airtags, film canisters, or other accessories. We will do our best to accommodate returns of these items and materials but in case of loss or damage we will not compensate the customer with replacements or refunds toward the value of these items.

    4. Turnaround Times

    • Estimated turnaround times are provided as a courtesy but are not guaranteed. Delays may occur due to workload, equipment maintenance, or supply chain issues.

    5. Payment Terms

    • Payment is required in full before orders are processed or shipped back to the Customer.

    • Prices are subject to change without notice.

    6. Digital Files

    • Digital scans are provided in the format and resolution specified at the time of order.

    • The Lab is not responsible for compatibility issues with third-party software or devices.

    7. Archival Policy

    • Northeast Photographic does not guarantee the storage or archiving of digital files, negatives, or prints after the order has been completed and returned.

    • Customers are responsible for backing up their own digital files.

    8. Returns and Refunds

    • Due to the custom nature of photographic processing, all sales are final.

    • Refunds or reprocessing may be offered at the Lab’s discretion if a clear error was made by the Lab.

    9. Governing Law

    • These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine.

    By sending film to Northeast Photographic, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service.

Film Handling and Scanning

  • All C41 film in 35mm, 120, and 220, is processed in our Colex roller transport processor. This is a pro lab processor, offering true C41 with full wash stages, unlike common minilabs, which do not wash your film. For many years Colex made state of the art processors in the USA and for labs worldwide. The processor we have is one of their last production units, and is fully computerized. Though Colex has shifted to other areas, they still provide parts and service!

    For all B&W films, E6 slide, and C41 in large formats, we use the Jobo line of automatic ATL processors. We have an ATL3 which we use for B&W, and an ATL2500 which we use for C41 sheet film and E6 processes. These are the state of the art in high volume rotary processors. Each chemical step is precisely tempered and managed by the processor before delivery to the processing drum.

    For sheet film, we use EXPERT series drums, which is preferred even over dip and dunk type processors.

  • We have two Fuji Frontier SP3000 scanners, and one Noritsu HS1800. We also scan more advanced projects with our Creo/Scitex Eversmart Supreme II.

  • 35mm Standard: 3130x2075 - Aprx 6.5 megapixels or 8x12”+

    35mm XL: 4492x6774 - Aprx 30 megapixels - 15x28”+

    Fronter XL: 3647x5444 - Aprx 19 megapixels - 12x18”+

    645: 3647x4847 - Aprx 17 megapixels

    66: 4760x4760 - Aprx 23 megapixels

    6x7: 4815x5902 - Aprx 28 megapixels

    6x9: 4903x7139 - Aprx 35 megapixels

    35mm Pano: 3989x10920 Aprx 43 megapixels

    These apply to scans made using the Noritsu. The Fuji Frontier has smaller files but is often chosen for its distinct look rather than its pixel size output. For even higher resolution see our Advanced Scan service.

  • Simple Scans are the best choice for most users! Your film is processed and scanned to your specifications. Basic adjustments are made in-scanner, but you will have to rotate, crop, and edit to taste.

    Pro Scans are processed and scanned to with much greater attention paid to color and consistency. The scans are rotated and finished prior to delivery. The real advantage of a pro scan is for busy wedding and portrait photographers for whom time is money.

    We do not do extensive post production edits, so 95% of the process is completed in-scanner, even with Pro Scans.

  • B&W Pro Scans include rotation, color cast neutralization, software dusting, and cure adjustment when needed. We do not dust film by hand, but use a piece of software that does a good job of eliminating most obvious dust particles.

    We still recommend Ilford XP2 Super for dust free scans if you are a busy pro shooter. It’s purpose built for this application.

  • No, but…sometimes yes.

    We do not have an auto-sleever, and think that film is best placed in archival envelopes or print-file pages. Therefore we do not cut film. The only exception to that is when you order a contact sheet service, which necessitates the cutting and sleeving of a roll.

  • Yes! If you have un-cut rolls we will provide Simple Scan level services at a reduced price over the standard dev + scan service.

    If you have cut film, we charge $5 per strip inserted into the scanner. This price is true regardless of the number of frames scanned on the strip. One frame, $5. 6 frames, $5.

    You can order Simple Scan, full borders, or XL resolution, but not Pro Scans.

  • Our Fuji Frontier has a special mask which enlarges the gate out beyond the true edges of your recorded image. The result of this is a rough black border around your frame. This is a very traditional darkroom look, and is an amazing creative tool for showing the tactility of film!

  • We can process 220, and do not charge an additional fee for it.

    We cannot process 110 or Advantix

  • Yes we do! Please select the disposable camera option in our online order system.

  • We send you gallery via Pic-Time. From here you can view your scans, download them, and even order prints! If you got TIFF files, we use FromSmash.

  • Advanced Scans utilize our Creo/Scitex Eversmart Supreme II scanner, to create a high end scan of your film or print original. These high bit rate, high resolution scans are the best choice for your very best work, which is going to be printed at large scale. For more information, please click here. (Link coming soon!)

  • We have designed an affordable yet high quality large format dev + scan service, which should enable you to shoot more sheets without sweating the bill quite so much.

    We can handle 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 with our EXPERT series Jobo drums. The film is gently handled and then hang-dried.

    Scans are made at ‘proof’ resolutions on our Eversmart Supreme II. Though not ultra high res, you can often still achieve a very nice 16x20” print!

    When you want to go larger, please ask about Advanced Scans.

  • Short answer, yes.

    Long answer…until you make a print, the pixel dimensions of your scan are the important metric. If your scan is 3000x2000 pixels, then that number is the true resolution of the image. The PPI or DPI metric only applies to a printed version. A when you change the DPI metric in Photoshop you will notice the output size of the image adjusting up or down. So that 3000x2000 pixel image will be tiny at 600DPI, and huge at 72DPI. However, for proper photographic image quality, you typically want to make your prints at between 240-360DPI. If you really want a large print at 300DPI, you should ensure that you have a scan of high pixel resolution, such as our XL scan size.

    If you have scanned film before you may have encountered software that uses DPI as a resolution setting. The reason for this is that you are generally selecting a physical area, such as a 24x36mm patch of a frame of 35mm film. You then tell the software you wish to scan that area at a very high DPI number, like 5000. This is kind of the reverse of the printing process, which is why you use the DPI metric to create a digital image. Again, in the end, the output pixel dimensions are what determines the resolution of the image.

Printing and Other Questions

  • Yes! You can add on prints to most of our develop and scan service, and we even have services that are totally old school, which omit the scans altogether. A surprising number of people just want the prints, and we are happy to provide.

  • We recommend working with our friends at Paper Tides for all high end printing needs.

  • Our darkroom is not available for rental at this time, but you can order silver gelatin prints to be custom made.

  • No one can process Kodachrome film anymore sadly. Kodak discontinued the chemistry necessary to do so. It can apparently be processed into a B&W negative but we do not offer this service.

  • No, we wanted to offer this service but the effort was ultimately unsuccessful. There are a variety of mail order cine labs you can find online, in pretty much every region of the USA.

  • We are a team of 3, and for flexibility we do not keep set hours. Typically someone is in the shop from 11-4 M-Thursday, but if you want to come by, make arrangements in advance over email. If someone is working alone, they’re going to lock the door to enable darkroom use.