35mm film developing mail order 1980 uk

A blast from the past! In the 1980s, mail-order film developing was a popular service in the UK, allowing photographers to send their 35mm film to a lab for processing and development. Here are a few options that were available in the UK in the early 1980s:

  1. Kodak: Kodak was one of the most well-known and trusted names in film development. They had a mail-order service that allowed photographers to send their film to their labs for processing. You could send your film to Kodak's UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
  2. Ilford: Ilford was another prominent film manufacturer that offered a mail-order development service. They had a lab in Mobberley, Cheshire, where they processed film for photographers across the UK.
  3. Agfa: Agfa was a German-based company that had a significant presence in the UK. They offered a mail-order development service for 35mm film, with processing taking place at their lab in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
  4. Boots Photo: Boots Photo was a popular high-street photo processing chain that also offered a mail-order development service. They had a lab in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, where they processed film for photographers across the UK.
  5. Jessops: Jessops was a well-known camera retailer with a mail-order development service. They had a lab in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, where they processed film for photographers across the UK.

To send your film to one of these labs, you would typically need to:

  1. Purchase a film development envelope or packet from a camera store or online retailer.
  2. Load your film into the envelope or packet, making sure to follow the lab's specific instructions for loading and packaging.
  3. Attach the required payment and any relevant instructions (e.g., development options, printing requests).
  4. Send the envelope or packet to the lab via post.

The cost of mail-order film development varied depending on the lab, the type of film, and the development options chosen. On average, you could expect to pay around £5-£10 (approximately £20-£40 in today's money) for a standard development service, which would include processing, scanning, and printing a set number of copies.

Keep in mind that these services were available in the early 1980s, and the specific details may have changed over time. If you're looking to develop film today, you may want to consider modern options like online film development services or local camera stores that offer film development services.