How to Get Your First Roll of Film Developed

Step 1: Finish the roll

Keep shooting until the camera won’t take another photo. The roll is finished when:

• the frame counter reaches the number on the box (24, 27 or 36), sometimes plus one or two
• the wind lever or thumbwheel stops part way and won’t go further
• an automatic camera starts rewinding by itself
• a disposable camera’s counter reaches 0

If the lever stops, don’t force it. That’s just the end of the roll.

Step 2: Rewind it (35mm only)

35mm film has to be wound back into its canister before you open the camera. Open the back too early and light can wipe out your photos.

• Manual camera: press the small rewind button on the base, flip up the rewind crank and turn it the way the arrow points. When it suddenly turns freely, the film is back in the canister.
• Automatic camera: most rewind on their own at the end of the roll, or have a rewind button. Wait until the motor stops.
• Disposable camera: nothing to rewind. Bring us the whole camera and we take the film out.
• 120 film: nothing to rewind. Wind on until the backing paper runs out, then seal the roll with its sticky tab.

Not sure it’s rewound? Keep the back closed and bring the camera into either store to ask us.

Step 3: Check what film you have

The box or canister tells you which process your film needs. Look for C-41 or E-6 printed on it.

• Colour negative (C-41): the most common type, including Kodak Gold, Ultramax and Portra, Fujifilm 200 and 400, and most disposable cameras.
• Black and white: for example Ilford HP5, Kentmere and Kodak Tri-X.
• Slide film (E-6): gives you see-through positives instead of negatives, for example Kodak Ektachrome and Fujifilm Velvia.

Can’t tell? Just ask when you drop it off.

Step 4: Choose your service

• Develop and scan (where most people start): we develop the film and scan every photo, from $20. You get digital photos plus your negatives back.
• Develop, scan and print: the same, plus a set of 4x6 prints, from $36.50.
• Develop only: negatives only, from $12. For people who scan their own film.

Standard or high resolution scans? Standard scans (3620 × 2400 pixels) are plenty for phones, social media and prints up to 8x12 inches. High resolution (7238 × 4800 pixels, 35MP) costs $8 more and gives you four times the pixel area for big prints and tight crops. Not sure? Start with standard: you can have favourite frames rescanned later from your negatives.

Step 5: Get it to us

• In store: walk in to our Alexandria or Wollongong store, Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm or Saturday 10am to 2pm. No appointment needed.
• 24/7 dropbox: at the front door of our Alexandria store. Fill out the online form, write your RPL order number on the envelope and drop it in. How the dropbox works.
• By post: from anywhere in Australia. Fill out the online order form, pack your film in something padded and post it to the address the form gives you.

Store addresses and directions

Step 6: Get your photos

When your scans are ready, we email you a link to your own online gallery. Open it on your phone or computer, look through your photos and download them all or just your favourites.

Your negatives come back cut and sleeved. Collect them from the store or have them posted back, and we’ll text you when they’re ready or on their way.

Step 7: Share, print and keep

• Save your photos to your phone and share them like any other photo.
• Want prints? Select photos in your gallery and tap Order Prints to go straight to our Print Portal, from classic 4x6 prints to large fine art prints.
• Keep your negatives somewhere cool and dry. They’re the originals, so any photo can be rescanned or reprinted later.