Snappy!
Written: Jul 23 '01
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The Bottom Line
Inexpensive developing, relatively "snappy" service, nice quality prints...I'm a happy user!
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| Full Review |
I love photography. I am always the one with a camera handy (to the annoyance of some of my friends). But film developing can make the hobby expensive.
About six months back, a friend shared pictures of her European vacation with me. Her pictures were beautiful... clear, with vibrant colors. I asked her where she had her film developed. Turns how she had used an online photo processing service called Snapfish.com.
How Snapfish works: First you create a free online account. You provide them with your email address and create a password. You also provide your name and mailing address so that Snapfish can send you free postage-paid film envelopes (made from tear resistant and water resistant plastic) and personalized i.d. labels (to label the film you send in).
Once you receive your free mailers you can send your film in to Snapfish to be developed! (Actually, if you don't want to wait for the postage-paid mailers to arrive, you can print postage-paid labels from the web-site too).
Once Snapfish receives your film, they develop it for you. Once your film is developed they will scan your pictures in and send you an email that your photos are developed and ready to be viewed online! You can then create online photo albums and share your photos online with family and friends (the only glitch here is your family and friends have to sign up for a Snapfish account in order to be able to access your photo album. (I heard all about it from some of my whiny-er friends..."do we have to sign up for an account??"...I love ya guys!).
After Snapfish posts your photos online they will print the photos for you. Your print options are...
- Glossy or matte finish (I love this!...I prefer the matte finish and most photofinishers only offer glossy
- Choice of 3.5 x 5 inch or 4 x 6 inch prints (5x7 jumbo prints and double prints are also available at an additional cost).
Snapfish then packs up your prints and mails them to your home.
What kind of film will Snapfish develop? Snapfish currently only processes 35mm color film and 35mm color film disposable cameras. Snapfish currently DOES NOT process APS (or Advantix film), black-and-white film, or slide film.
Digital camera? Snapfish allows you to upload digital images too! You can then order prints, create online photo albums, and share them with your friends.
But how are my pictures gonna turn out? All my pictures from Snapfish turn out great. Snapfish uses only Kodak paper and (according to their website) "a photo lab that's been in the film developing business for more than 50 years".
How snappy exactly is the Snapfish? The most recent roll of film I sent to Snapfish took 7 days to post online (from the day I dropped them in the mailbox to the day I got the "Your Photos Are Ready!" email from Snapfish). It took only another 3 days to receive the actual prints in my mailbox. I don't think that's too bad considering the Snapfish processing lab is located all the way across the country from me in West Virginia).
How much does it cost? Currently, your first three rolls developed by Snapfish are free! You pay only $1.99 per roll for shipping and handling (not bad, eh?). After your first three rolls are developed, you pay only $1.99 developing per roll and $1.99 per roll for shipping and handling (still not bad, eh?). (Snapfish does require a credit card number to process your film, but only charges your account once the film is developed and ready to ship back to you).
When I'm not in a hurry to see my prints, I happily send my film to Snapfish. Obviously, if I really value the images I've just captured in my camera, I will choose a local processor (not because I don't trust Snapfish, I just unfortunately sometimes have my doubts about the US Postal Service).
For now, I'm a happy Snapfish user!
:)
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: Stefanie
Location: Sherman Oaks, California
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 10 members
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