# 1 hour photo developers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2000, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424 "2000-03-08T04:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/1 "2000-03-08T04:00:00Z")
First a brief history (or I hope it will be). I took a roll of film with a new 35mm camera had it developed, 1 photo turned out the rest where blank. OK camera or film might be bad. Next camera this time a 110 back to the same place, this time nothing all blank. OK forget the regular camera, I bought the store brand single-use camera took my pictures and took it back to the same place. This time I realized I should have gone elsewhere but obviously I hadn’t been thinking cleary. Well same thing no pictures just a blank negative. My questions are this: 1. Who is most likely to blame? They of course blame my camera and film. 3 different cameras 3 different rolls of film. I have been taking pictures for over 20 years I think I know what I’m doing and would like to think they are messing up at this point. 2. The manager claims they do over a 100 rolls of film a day and never have a problem. This is a drug store with 1 machine can they do that many in a 12 hour shift? Sorry if this is a little lengthly and thanks for any and all help/opinions. * * * ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/2 "2000-03-08T04:35:00Z")
you say the negatives are blank. Are they blank **clear** , or blank **solid**? If they’re blank **clear** , the problem is most likely your camera, since clear negatives after development indicates no exposure. If they’re blank **solid** , then the film was exposed. Now, if your camera was responsible, then your negs would show the individual frames on the roll, as well as the ‘edgeprint’ i.e., the information (film manufacturer, film type, frame numbers)already exposed on the roll. If all you have are negatives that are solid black, including around the sprockets, then your lab screwed up. If for nothing other than goodwill, they should have offered you replacement film. One hundred rolls in a twelve-hour shift isn’t unusual, by the way. * * * “If I pinch my nose with my fingers, close my mouth tight, and blow real hard, I can make my ears bleed. It’s not as cool as Superman’s X-ray vision, but it’s my own special talent.” ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/3 "2000-03-08T17:37:00Z")
Three different cameras and rolls of film? It’s likely a problem on their end. The deal with the 110 film is even weirder since it’s a different type of processing and most places send that out rather than doing that as a 1 hour deal. Is there a new employee who doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing who is exposing the film accidentally before processing it? Alternatively, is there some weirdness on your end? Perhaps the cameras were all damaged at the same time by something (chemical of some type, or were they crushed in a backpack?) ---
**Author:** ![Ursa\_Major](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@Ursa\_Major](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ursa_Major)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/4 "2000-03-08T17:44:00Z")
Were you born on Krypron by any chance? Maybe your x-ray eyes are exposing the film inside the camera. It’s either negligence on the processor’s end or something supernatural on your’s. Take your film elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Ursa\_Major](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a88e57/32.png) [@Ursa\_Major](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ursa_Major)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/5 "2000-03-08T17:45:00Z")
Krypton…not Krypron ---
**Author:** ![joemill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@joemill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemill)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/6 "2000-03-09T06:03:00Z")
To diagnose this, you have to check the negatives. If your film is clear and the edgeprint is readable (frame numbers, film type) then the problem is your exposure. If your film has black frames and the edgeprint is readable, the problem is your exposure. If your film is clear and you cannot read the edgeprint, the problem is with the developing. If your film is completely black, and cannot read the edgeprint, then either there is a developing problem, or the film was exposed either by the lab or by you. Question for you: What color is the clear part of the negative (if there is a clear part)? ---
**Author:** ![jaydabee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c89c15/32.png) [@jaydabee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaydabee)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/7 "2000-03-08T23:19:00Z")
I’d say that somebody at that store or one of thier friends dosen’t like you. Pissed off anyone lately? * * * watch what you say or they’ll be calling you a radical, a liberal,fanatical a criminal… ---
**Author:** ![TripleAnt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@TripleAnt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TripleAnt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/8 "2000-03-08T23:40:00Z")
I do one hour photo processing at a drug store and basically what everyone else is saying is true. If the negatives were dark they were exposed either by the employee or you. It does happen time to time where an employee makes a mistake. We’re not perfect. If they were clear, that is probably a problem with the camera, and if it is three seperate cameras, maybe you got (un)lucky. We always give the customer a new roll of film if it is our fault. We normally do over a 100 rolls in a 12 hour shift. Hope this helps. * * * “I have a lot of good ideas, problem is most of them suck.” -George Carlin ---
**Author:** ![Dirty\_Devil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Dirty\_Devil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dirty_Devil)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/9 "2000-03-09T00:59:00Z")
Do they still _make_ 110 film? I haven’t seen a camera that takes that size of film in years. Do they still make 120, too? ---
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/10 "2000-03-09T05:17:00Z")
The latest: I dont know how or why but it happened again and this time I went to a different developer. This is the first time (well 4th in the last week) in 20 years I have ever had anything like this happen. As far as the last negatives go I never got to take them so I cant say for sure what they looked like. But I did take this one. It has the “edgeprint” on it. I cant say for sure about the others though. To me it looks clear. I dont know if this means anything but I took another new roll of film and pulled it out to see what it looked like knowing I hadn’t taken it and it was black. So the two definitely looked different but then I maybe comparing apples to oranges here. Another thing at least on this last one is that there are “little blue dots/smudges” all along the negative. Well my husband thinks I’m ruining the film somehow and at this point I’m beginning to agree though we dont know how. So we are going to test it this weekend he will take one roll without me touching the film in anyway then I will take one. Then take them to the same place and see what happens. UGGGG! * * * Keep smiling it makes 'em wonder what you’ve been up to. ---
**Author:** ![TripleAnt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@TripleAnt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TripleAnt)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/11 "2000-03-09T07:56:00Z")
Yeah if it is clear, then it was most likely a fault within the roll or camera. When you pulled the new roll out and it was dark it is because you exposed it. I’m sure you knew that though. Just a suggestion, maybe try Kodak Advantix cameras. They cost more and the thing with those is that the negatives stay in the canister after they have been developed by a photo store. From my experience, maybe 1 roll of Advantix out of 50 have a problem like yours. Just a thought. * * * “I have a lot of good ideas, problem is most of them suck.” -George Carlin ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/12 "2000-03-09T08:32:00Z")
Hmm, curiouser and curiouser… I find it hard to believe you made mistakes in handling three separate cameras, especially since one is a 110 and the other a disposable. On the other hand, the problem was not solved by going to a different developer, so I think that’s ruled out too. If the negative is clear, it means that no light ever reached the film. In a 35mm camera, this can be caused by inserting the film improperly so it doesn’t get drawn into the camera, but stays in the canister. On a disposable camera or 110 film, this mistake is pretty much impossible. You could have left the lens cap on, but disposable cameras don’t even have lens caps, do they? I don’t think the film was ruined by heat or chemical or whatever - that would cause the negative to go black too. I have no idea what the blue smudges are - how do they look? Are they actually images captured on the negative, or some crud that’s sitting on the surface? Was there anything in common between the four rolls of film, besides the fact that you used them? Were they used at the same place to photograph similar things? Anyway, do keep us posted, this is very intriguing. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/13 "2000-03-09T15:43:00Z")
LucyVanPelt, I don’t know why you keep going back to the same store. That must be pretty expensive. Why don’t you talk to the manager? Ask the manager to take a roll of pictures & then give it to you & they process it? Kind of a secret thing. DD, yes they make 110 film. Stupid me bought a 110 camera the other week, used, for underwater picks. Camera store said they don’t have that size & they said Longs don’t either. But I went to longs, & sure enuff, one lone roll on the bottom row with the coupon ripped off the box. ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/14 "2000-03-10T03:49:00Z")
> [@](#): > > As far as the last negatives go I never got to take them so I cant say for sure what they looked like. But I did take this one. It has the “edgeprint” on it. I cant say for sure about the others though. To me it looks clear. I’m afraid you’re not being too clear here. If you have the edgeprint, the fault is you and/or your camera. I don’t understand what you mean by ‘…I never got to take them so I can’t say for sure…’. Did you never see the negs? Did the lab clerk just say “They didn’t come out?” Please go back and re-read what I wrote and especially what **joemill** wrote, cause he’s a little more concise than me. I’d also strongly advise **against** the entire APS camera systems. Just my humble opinion. * * * “If I pinch my nose with my fingers, close my mouth tight, and blow real hard, I can make my ears bleed. It’s not as cool as Superman’s X-ray vision, but it’s my own special talent.” ---
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/15 "2000-03-10T05:25:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by NickyLarson: > \*\* I never got to take them so I can’t say for sure…’. Did you never see the negs? Did the lab clerk just say “They didn’t come out?” > \*\* The clerk pulled them out of the envelope showed me they were blank then put them back. When I asked if I could keep them he said he had to have them to show why there was no payment. I don’t know if that is just that store policy as the last store let me keep them. Looking back at what Joemill said: If your film is clear and the edgeprint is readable (frame numbers, film type) then the problem is your exposure. This is how I would say this last one looks. ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/16 "2000-03-10T12:26:00Z")
Check the batteries in your camera. **Always** get your negs back. By force, if neccessary. * * * “If I pinch my nose with my fingers, close my mouth tight, and blow real hard, I can make my ears bleed. It’s not as cool as Superman’s X-ray vision, but it’s my own special talent.” ---
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/17 "2000-03-10T20:33:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by NickyLarson: > \*\*Check the batteries in your camera. > > **Always** get your negs back. By force, if neccessary. > > \*\* New batteries in the 35mm. The 110 and single use don’t use them. I grabbed the negatives from the last place when she had her back turned. Not sure if she was going to let me take them at that point so I wanted to make sure. ---
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2000, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/18 "2000-03-10T21:30:00Z")
Meant to say new batteries in the 35mm and 110. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2000, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-hour-photo-developers/8424/19 "2000-03-11T16:08:00Z")
Take a look at the envelope, it should have the name of the person who did the processing.