The Darkroom

The Darkroom - Dip & Dunk Film Developing. C-41 Color, E-6 Slide, True B&W. Extensive scan and print services. Visit us at thedarkroom.com
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The Darkroom specializes in Toy Camera Processing and scanning as well as Sprocket Hole, Cross Processing and Push/Pull processing. We work closely with the folks that make Holga, Lomo and Diana cameras. We test new prototype cameras and formats and figure out the best ways to process, scan and print these images. So… we can handle your various films and formats…from Holga 3-D stereo, Lomo Horizon, Sprocket Rocket, Lomo Spinner and yes, even your old Mamiya 645 or Hasselblad…

09/10/2026

35mm and 120 may be the formats we develop most, but film has taken many forms over the years 👉 Swipe through to see some of the formats we process here at The Darkroom, including 116, 127, 620, 110, 126, APS and 35mm single use cameras. Some are no longer in production, but we still see them regularly, especially when processing old found film.

A few have also been kept alive in new ways. The Michael Raso respools film for 620 and offers solutions for 126, while Lomography helped bring 110 back into production.

Single use cameras date back to the 1940s, but the modern 35mm cartridge versions we know today, like the Fujifilm 120 & 35mm Film QuickSnap and Kodak FunSaver, arrived in the 1980s.

And while it isn’t shown here, we develop sheet film too 🙌

09/08/2026

New colors 🙌 still $16.99!

Our upcycled Darkroom Cam comes loaded with Kodak 400 ISO color film, plus a free film mailer, making it one of the most affordable and convenient single use cameras on the market.

When you’re done, just scan the QR code on the back, place your order, drop the camera in the included mailer, and send it from any USPS mailbox. We’ll take it from there.

Grab yours through the link in our bio 🙌

08/28/2026

Sleeper vs. premium point and shoot

SoCal Cameras recently sent us a Canon Sure Shot Supreme to compare with one of our favorite premium point and shoots, the Fujifilm Klasse W.

Released in 1986, the Canon features a sharp 38mm f/2.8 lens and is almost entirely automatic. Other than the ability to turn it on and off and use the self-timer, there isn’t much control. It’s simply a camera you turn on, point at something, and take a photo. Best of all, it can typically be found for $200 or less.

Like many cameras of its age, the Sure Shot Supreme can be prone to a few common issues. SoCal Cameras cleans and lubricates each one, replacing the gears when needed to help keep the camera working reliably.

The Klasse W was released in 2007 and generally sells for $1,000 or more. It features a 28mm f/2.8 lens, aperture priority, exposure compensation, flash controls, manual ISO selection, and manual focusing options.

We loaded both with the exact same film stock, Kodak UltraMax 400, and shot them side by side on a road trip. The Klasse W’s glass was slightly sharper and produced more neutral colors, while the Canon delivered slightly warmer tones and tighter compositions. Despite using the same film, differences in lens design, modern coatings, and exposure can all affect sharpness and color rendition.

The biggest surprise was that the Canon often focused faster and more accurately. We also preferred its 38mm focal length and simple, fully automatic experience.

We love the Klasse W, but we’ve decided to sell it and keep the Canon. For the way we use a point and shoot, the affordable sleeper won.

If you’re looking for a film camera, whether it’s an SLR or point and shoot, be sure to check out SoCal Cameras. And when it’s time to develop your film, of course, we’ve got you 🙌 The Darkroom 🎞️ Film Lab

08/25/2026

Where should we add our next film drop?

We’ve been working to make developing film even easier by adding drop boxes in popular locations. We now have three:

📍 The Darkroom HQ - San Clemente, CA
📍 LOKL Café - SoHo, NYC
📍 LOKL Café - Morristown, NJ

Dropping off your film is simple:

1-Place your order online and select Local Film Drop for completely free roundtrip shipping.
2-Visit the location, where all the supplies you need are provided.
3-Write your name and order number on the provided envelope, add your film, and place it in the film drop box.

We’ll take it from there! You’ll receive an email when your film enters production and another when your scans are ready. Your negatives and any prints you order will still be shipped directly back to you.

If you’re near SoHo or Morristown, stop by LOKL Cafe to drop off your film and enjoy some great coffee and food while you’re there. For more info, click our bio link!

Where would you like to see our next film drop? Let us know below!

08/21/2026

Camera Review 👉 Kodak EC35

The recently released Kodak EC35 is an incredibly affordable, reloadable 35mm camera designed to offer the simplicity of a disposable camera.

It features an all-plastic construction, including a fixed-focus 25mm acrylic lens, along with a fixed exposure of f/10 at 1/100 second and a built-in flash. Its exposure is designed for bright daylight, so you’ll want to use the flash in lower-light situations to avoid underexposed photos.

Unlike a disposable camera, the EC35 is reusable and allows you to load different types of film. We recommend using 200 or 400 ISO film. All the photos in this post were shot on Kodak Ultramax 400.
Some of our results were decent, while others were just okay. We weren’t expecting too much from such a simple, wide-angle acrylic lens, which can produce flare, vignetting, and softer images. You also have very little control over the exposure.

If you enjoy disposable cameras and want something simple, inexpensive, reusable, and wide, the Kodak EC35 could be a fun option.

If you’re looking for better image quality, consider the Kodak Snapic A1 - for about $65 more, it offers a glass lens and several other improvements. You could also step up to an autofocus point and shoot, with plenty of great options available.

Learn more about our recommended film cameras at The Darkroom Film School, linked in our bio 🙌

08/18/2026

What is the best sleeper point and shoot film camera?

We recently asked our friends at SoCal Cameras to send us underrated sleeper point and shoot that won’t break the bank, something we could put up against the Fuji Klasse W, a premium, modern point and shoot that can easily sell for $1,000 or more.

They sent us a camera we had never even heard of: the Canon Sure Shot Supreme, aka the Autoboy 3.

Released in 1986, it features a fixed 38mm f/2.8 lens, and we shot it side by side with the Fuji Klasse W throughout a road trip to Denver.

Once developed and scanned, we’ll share a full side by side comparison to see just how well this sleeper Canon holds up against the much more expensive Fuji.

In the meantime, we want to hear from you: What do you think is the best sleeper point and shoot film camera?

And if you’re looking for a film camera, whether it’s a point and shoot, rangefinder, or SLR, we highly recommend checking out SoCal Cameras. Their orders even include a fresh The Darkroom 🎞️ Film Lab film mailer and order form, making it easy to shoot, mail your film, and place an order whether you’re at home or on the road.

08/10/2026

Exciting news 👉 we’re heading to North Carolina this October for the Click! Photography Festival! We’ll be hosting two meetups during the festival, and each requires its own individual registration: 
🍻 Beers & Cameras - Raleigh Friday, October 2 at 5:30 p.m. Trophy Brewing & Taproom  
📷 CLICK! Fest Photowalk - Durham Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m. Led by Caleb “bad flashes” Knueven & Trev Lee  
If you’re planning to join us for /Official Beers And Cameras®️\, be sure to sign up early as space is limited to just 100 people, and we expect tickets to go fast.

Also in attendance throughout the weekend will be Freestyle Photo Supplies, Freestyle Photo Supplies oCineStill Filmnds, photographers, and people from the film photography community.

We’ll also have The Darkroom booth set up at CLICK! Fest, be hosting An Analog Conversation with Caleb & Trev, and joining in on plenty of other events throughout the weekend.

You can register for both of our events and learn more about everything happening at CLICK! Fest through the link in our bio. We’re looking forward to spending the weekend in North Carolina, making photographs, talking film, and meeting everyone 🙌 see you there!

08/03/2026

Ektacolor Pro 400 vs. Ultramax 400 - which do you prefer?

Both are 400 ISO C-41 color negative film made by , but they produce different looks. Ektacolor Pro 400, also known as Portra 400, is known for its warmer tones, neutral color palette, finer grain, and exceptional exposure latitude. It’s ideal for portraits, but it’s also an incredibly versatile, do-it-all film.

UltraMax 400 is a more affordable option with vibrant colors, higher saturation, punchier contrast, and slightly more noticeable grain. One of its biggest advantages is its price as it can often be found for $10 or less, while Ektacolor Pro 400 typically costs around $16 per roll.

We regularly shoot both, but we tend to save Ektacolor Pro 400 for special occasions - especially when portraits are involved - while Ultramax 400 is more of a daily driver because of its affordability and versatility.

Both are great film; it simply depends on the look you want. To learn more and see ratings, reviews, and sample photos, check out our Film Index linked in our bio.

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San Francisco, CA

Website

http://thedarkroom.com/

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