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…

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.

07/31/2026

Film Walk & Talk #3

I feel lucky to have a hobby like photography - one that allows me to find something worth enjoying, even in places, conditions, or seasons of life that may feel less than ideal.

Recently, I headed out with my Pentax 67 loaded with some redscale film to photograph hazy skies caused by distant wildfires. While shooting, I realized that without photography, I probably would have stayed cooped up inside, waiting for the haze to pass. Instead, it became an opportunity to get outside, be creative, and see the unusual conditions differently.

That’s just one of the many things I love about film photography. It encourages me to look a little closer and find something interesting - even when the circumstances aren’t what I would have chosen.

Has photography ever helped you find enjoyment or creativity in an otherwise undesirable situation? I’d love to hear about it in the comments 👇

07/30/2026

Looking for a great point and shoot film camera but not sure where to start? We asked the experts at SoCal Cameras to rank their top five point and shoot camera series - and explain what makes each one worth considering.

Their picks:

1-Canon Sure Shot U Series
2-Pentax IQZoom Series
3-Olympus Stylus/mju Series
4-Canon Sure Shot Zoom Series
5-Minolta Freedom Zoom Series

SoCal Cameras sees and sells a wide variety of point and shoot cameras, giving their team firsthand knowledge of which models perform well, hold up over time, and offer the best overall value.

Swipe through for their recommended models and what makes each series stand out. If you’re looking to pick up a film camera, be sure to check out SoCal Cameras and when it comes to film developing, scanning, and printing, we’ve got you covered 👉 The Darkroom 🎞️ Film Lab

07/28/2026

Snapic A1 vs. Kodak EC35👉which one is best for you?

The Snapic A1 was released in late 2025 and has been a big surprise as it has produced some genuinely impressive results, and we’ve enjoyed using it so much that we started selling it ourselves.

The EC35 was released just last week and both cameras are made by kodakfilm.reto and feature a reloadable design, a 25mm lens, and a fixed daylight exposure similar to a disposable camera but that’s where the similarities end.

The Snapic A1 offers several features the EC35 doesn’t, including:

• A glass lens
• Dual-zone focusing
• Automatic film advance and rewind
• Multiple flash modes
• A multiple-exposure setting

The $35 EC35 is the more stripped-down option, with an acrylic lens, fixed focus, a single flash mode, and manual film advance and rewind.

In our opinion, if you have the extra money, the Snapic A1 appears to be worth it. Its glass lens and added focus control should help produce better image quality but we’ll have to see how the EC35 compares. We recently put our first test roll through it and will be sharing the results very soon.

Which of these two cameras would you take?

07/16/2026

What discontinued film do you miss the most?

It’s never fun watching a favorite film disappear - especially one with a look as distinctive as Fujifilm Industrial 100. Its cool Fuji palette, punchy greens and blues, and uniquely rendered reds made it a favorite for good reason.

While nothing replaces a discontinued stock exactly, our Film Index makes it easier to find something that comes close. You can compare currently available films by ISO, saturation, contrast, grain, format, and more, then dig into our full reviews and sample photos before choosing your next roll.

These photos were taken by Jason Kummerfeldt , who recently posted a full video about Fujifilm Industrial 100. Be sure to check it out on YouTube (grainydays) and let us know below: Which discontinued film would you bring back?

07/14/2026

Exciting news 👉 Lucky Color 200 is now available in the United States!

For a while, this film was difficult to find without ordering it from overseas, but the Michael Raso is now offering Lucky Color 200 in both 35mm, 120, & 620 🙌

What makes Lucky Color 200 especially exciting is that it offers a distinctly different color palette from Kodak film without pushing too far into the more experimental look of film like for example, Harman Phoenix. It sits in a really nice middle ground - unique color and full of character while still being versatile enough for everyday photography.

To learn more about the film and see sample photos, check out the Lucky Color 200 review in our Film Index 🔗 in bio!

07/07/2026

Looking for a more affordable alternative to drugstore single use cameras?

The Darkroom Cam in an upcycled Fuji-style single use camera loaded with Kodak 400 color film, now back in stock for just $16.99.

Whether you’re heading on vacation, documenting everyday moments, or trying film for the first time, the Darkroom Cam is an easy, affordable way to shoot.

Grab yours through the link in our bio 🙌

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San Francisco, CA

Website

http://thedarkroom.com/

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