Excited to see your photos? Let’s get started!

To watch a quick video on how to send in film click HERE otherwise you can follow the instructions below!

1) After creating your order you will receive an email with your order number. Just write down that order number and include it with your film. Feel free to include a note with your film with details that you think I should know.

2) You will want to put your film in a ziplock bag and pack it safely in a small box or padded envelope*.

3) I recommend using the free website www.pirateship.com to purchase and print your USPS First Class Package label. This shouldn’t be more than $4-$6.

4) Then just mail the film to me!

Brooktree Film Lab
478 W Buckingham Dr
Decatur, IL 62526

*I like these bubble mailers

Using a Noritsu V30 mini-lab for our film processing ensures that film is consistently developed with strict temperature and agitation control. Control steps are ran through the machine consistently to ensure everything is working properly!

We use Kodak Flexicolor chemistry for our C41 development, and Ilford ID-11 or Ilford DDX developer for our B&W films. ID-11 is used for normal processing while DDX excels at push processing or for high ISO films.

If you select “normal shipping” from the checkout screen then your negatives will be carefully cut and put in archival Print File sleeves to protect them for you. These sleeves have binder holes in them to make your negative organization a breeze!

Those will then be mailed back to you for the cost of shipping, which is normally $4-$6 (depending on how many rolls you sent in).

When you select the “Hold Negatives” shipping option I will keep your sleeved negatives at the lab and combine them with future orders. This option is great if you plan on sending in a few rolls over time and want to save on shipping.

Simply hit “Regular Shipping” for the last order placed and they’ll all be sent back to you at once! (scans are delivered immediately and not delayed in any way)

I can hold your negatives for up a year. If they’re still here after a year then I will try to contact you to arrange for return shipping. If I am unable to contact you then they will go into storage and I can no longer guarantee their return.

Feel free to reach out with any questions about this service!

At Brooktree Film Lab we use a Fuji Frontier SP3000 for your half frame, APS, 35mm, 120 and 220 films. For 110, 126, or other roll formats we use a DSLR camera scanning set up. For large format 4×5 photos we use an Epson V800.

Check out a handy comparison photo here, it has been cropped in heavily to show detail: Scan Size Comparison

And here are the un-cropped versions:

Web Size

Large

Extra Large

As the owner of a Fuji TX-1 and a Kodak Ektar H35 I am more than used to scanning everything from panoramic to half-frame negatives, and everything in between!

Yes! Please feel free to send any and all motion picture film. We have processes in place to remove the remjet after developing in true ECN-2 chemicals. Check out our recent blog post for more information about ECN-2 processing.

I am one of those people who does not like to wait for things that I am excited about, so I strive to give you the fastest possible turn around times. Typical film development and scans are done within 2-3 business days of receiving your film.

Just a heads up that we process slide film (E6) in batches at the end of each month. This means there may be a slight delay in getting your order to you.

If your order has a mix of slide film and color/black and white film, only the slide film processing will be delayed.

Pushing film refers to shooting your film at an ISO speed different than what the film is rated. For example shooting a 400 ISO speed film at 800 would be considered a 1 stop push (+1).

Why push film?

Pushed film has increased contrast in the lighter areas with minimal effects on the shadows. To preserve the details in the shadows, make sure to meter for medium to darker areas of the image.

This unequal rise in exposure—in which bright areas become lighter, while shadows stay more or less the same—increases the contrast and grain of the film. This is why pushing film in processing isn’t a way to “save” underexposed film as much as an artistic tool in your bag of photog tricks.

Once you’re done with the roll, be sure to write the push amount (+1, +2, etc.) on the film cartridge with a sharpie so the lab knows that it needs to be pushed. Also, select and order the push amount on the order form. This will help ensure proper development in the lab.

Proof prints serve as a cost-effective means of assessing how your photos will appear when printed. Given the significant variation in screen technologies available, the appearance of your photo may differ slightly depending on the device or screen it is displayed on.

At Brooktree Film Lab, we employ a dye-sublimation printing process that strikes a balance between affordability and quality for our 4×6 proof prints.

Additionally, your image gallery features a professional print lab that can produce prints in nearly any size. By referencing your proof prints, you can gain a better understanding of how your image will appear when printed larger!

At Brooktree Film Lab, we prioritize sustainability and are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact. That’s why we go the extra mile when it comes to packaging and shipping your ordered film and negatives.

Our recyclable packaging materials are carefully chosen to strike a balance between functionality and eco-friendliness. These padded mailers and boxes provide optimal cushioning and protection for your precious film and negatives while also being designed with the environment in mind. Once you receive your order, you can easily recycle the packaging materials!

We also employ a state-of-the-art silver recovery system to remove and recycle excess silver that is generated during the developing process.

By utilizing this advanced technology, we ensure that the silver is not wasted or released into our water treatment plants. This not only helps to protect the environment but also reduces the need for silver mining, which can have significant environmental impacts!

We use Kodak Flexicolor chemistry for our C41 development, and Ilford ID-11 or Ilford DDX developer for our B&W films. ID-11 is used for normal processing while DDX excels at push processing or for high ISO films.