Pass or Fail?

Hi guys... So, I recently ordered this fun little camera called a Lomography Sprocket Rocket and tested out my first few rolls of film. The results where intereresting, but not what I was hoping for. Definitely hoping for better photos in round 2. Here are a few examples... 

So first of all, there are no sprocket marks (you can see how the pics are supposed to look with examples here). I got this film processed at CVS, which I've been told is the only place in Springfield that does 1 hour film anymore. When I picked it up the man working the photo center told me that my film looked "old" and that he tried to fix the quality for me. Terror! Uh-oh. So anyway, that might have been part of the problem. I was also told that the film scanned may have cropped off the sprocket marks. The photos are still kinda fun, but I want to try again. Does anyone know of a good place to develop film where you can mail it in? Maybe somewhere where they are used to toy cameras would be good too! 

Thanks for letting me share my little photo fail! Hope you are all having a great day... elsie  

Comments

[Natasha Fatah]

Oh that's unfortunate. Obviously the look of the camera is great, but the quality is pretty grainy. Now that they have iPhones that can take editorial quality photographs, then why shouldn't an actual camera.

Sorry pal, that's a bummer.

xoxo
www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

[jsuzette]

I like them BECAUSE they look old. I like the grainy look and I think they look great, and I'm a photographer! :0)

[Rebecca Kelsey]

I actually really like most of them! They look unique. Especially the last one.

Kindness is the best accessory,
Rebecca

[Kathryn Shaw]

i think they came out good, i love the double exposure one!
-K

[Camara]

my mom uses york photo labs, which offers mail-in service to develop her film. the link is here http://www.yorkphoto.com/york/

[cinthya]

try oldschoolphotolab.com or lomography.com also does developing. I've heard good things about oldschoolphotolab though. The photos still look good despite the cvs mishap!

[Maggie]

What speed are you using? You may want to try 800 speed if you're not already.

Also, when you take in your film, ask for NO COLOR CORRECTION on the "additional instructions". I'd also recommend investing in a good film scanner. The Epson Perfection line is pretty good. You can also get different plates for different film (35mm, 120, slides, etc).

There is a Rite Aid where I live where they will do film developing for $1.89 a roll (without prints). I also ask them not to cut the film and I just scan them in myself when I get home.

[Anna]

If you're worried about the actual quality of the photos (not the missing sprocket marks), then you're using the wrong camera. Lomo is all about light leaks and crappy, grainy photos. My Holga has intense light leaks, and my Diana Mini takes almost exclusively blurry, dreamlike pictures. I think these look pretty cool, especially the double exposure.

[Katie]

I send my film to snap fish and they do a pretty swell job. Best Wishes.

[Sunray Pena]

I used to have a scanner that would scan medium format film and that was how I was able to get images with sprocket holes. Did you know that if you put a 35mm film into a Holga, you'd get the same effect? :)

[tinajo]

Will be interesting to see how the next roll turns out - maybe that guy did mess it up a little trying to save it.

[kelsie]

girlfriend, Dwayne's photo in Kansas is the development lab of your dreams!!! the process everything from 35/120/16mm/super8/large format...the list goes on and on!!

http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/

[Danielle]

Ugh, I had a problem years ago with shots developed from my lomo fisheye camera... every one of the photos was cut wrong... half of two different fisheye photos on each 4x6... it was kinda ridiculous. I always feel weird taking any sort of lomo film to get developed, like they're not going to understand how to do it, which is unfortunate because as a result I hardly ever take any holga photos.

[Katy W.]

Hi!

I have this camera and love it! I recommend using 800 speed films with this camera, the lomography 800 film works amazing.

Here is an example I took:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sewlovely/6535874579/in/faves-22056640@N07/

Also, for processing I would send to lomography (not sure what the price is but they do a really nice job) or http://www.oldschoolphotolab.com/ (they have free shipping both ways).

For the first few rolls with this camera I got the "sprocket scans" but they cost an extra $10 which quickly adds up, so now I just get regular scans and your photos will look like the photo above.

Good luck and have fun, sprockets are so magical!

[Amanda]

Most drug stores still do 1 hour photo and I've always had good luck with them, I would just suggest telling them no color correction, that way they won't try to "fix" your negatives. Hope the next batch come out better!

http://littleladylittlecity.blogspot.com/

[Jessie]

I think they're great,but I love grainy photos like these!

[cortney]

Hi! i'm a huge fan of your blog and i actually work at a photo lab in overland park, kansas. its called process one. we have been around for years and do all kinds of film and we get lomo film all the time. i actually have some cameras of theirs and know what kind of look you're going for and i would love to do your film!! the website for the store is www.processonephoto.com you should def check us out!!

-cortney

[Elin]

Walmart. Takes a few days to a week depending on store size/service. Make sure to write in the special instructions area for unedited photos and cropping. They go through Fuji.

[vanessa ruff]

i personally use http://www.oldschoolphotolab.com/ but id also suggest target, my target does one hour photo and are very kind about how particular i am with my film.

[Lauren]

If you want to keep it (relatively) local, try Creve Coeur Camera in St. Louis. I send all my Lomo, Holga and Minox film there. Have them process the film only and send you the negatives. Get a negative scanner and do the rest yourself. Once you have the files how you want them, upload them to the printer of your choice. I find Walgreens does a pretty good job of printing without tweaking photos.