Film Speed and Rite-Aid

[mharris]

Went to Rite-Aid drugstore today to get 3 rolls done. They are the last

commercial place in town that does it. In the one hour basket a sign read, "200

and 400 speed only".

 

I had one roll of 400 speed and two rolls of 100 speed so I decided to ask why

only 200 and 400. I sometimes do my own color in a JOBO and couldn't figure out

why they wouldn't do 100 speed anymore.

 

I asked the supervisor why and her response was, "What does it matter, film is

obsolete." The film on their shelf didn't look obsolete, the machine behind the

counter didn't look like obsolete negatives were flowing out of it, and I know

the film in my hands wasn't turning to dust.

 

In the end she said she didn't know why they won't do 100 speed but if I agreed

to not hold them responsible they would do mine. My question comes from my

limited knowledge of color developing. When I do color everything remains the

same, time, temp, nothing changes. Speed has noting to do with those factors

unless pushing or pulling is involved.

 

I'm not wearing my tin-foil hat just yet but could does processing higher speeds

cut down on the processors maintenance? Do they change the chemicals less

frequently with those higher speeds? It's all a mystery. I think I'll load up

about 6 rolls of Reala, 100 speed of course.

[jim_francis]

Your 100 speed film will be fine, I would guess.

[mharris]

It was Jim, in fact it was the best they've ever done. This Rite-Aid does a very good job. I still wonder why they put the sign up though.

[jim_devlin]

Maybe it's just me, but I would be really nervous leaving film at a counter being run by that supervisor.

[mharris]

That store has always done a great job doing film, even better than the pro lab in to next town over. I have some Fuji Pro stuff that's 160 speed, that's really gonna mess them man.

[JAPster]

I use RITE AID all the time to process 35mm and APS type film. Mostly color, but once used that Kodak 400BWCN B/w film (c-41 development, using std color process). So far, the process & equipment has given me great results. But i have to confess that i do prefer one gentelemen over all the others. He seems to have the most experience with actual photography, and seems to care a bit more.

[aramat57]

I have no idea, I am a Rite Aid lab manager, (well, front end associate now, with the demise of Eckerd the manager title was discontinued.) I have seen no directive from the company about processing 200 and 400 only. If anything, a chemistry problem will show up first in 800 speed. What machine do they use to print?