Where to Get Film Developed on Long Island
What to look for in a film lab on Long Island — and how drop-off and mail-in film developing work at our Garden City lab.
On Long Island, you can get film developed at Neptune Photo in Garden City, a camera store and photo lab in Nassau County since 1963. We develop C-41 color, black & white, and E-6 slide film in-house, in 35mm, 120, and disposable cameras. Drop off at 731 Franklin Ave or mail your film from anywhere in the US; scans arrive by email link within 5–7 business days, and your negatives come back in archival sleeves. Wherever you go, look for a lab that processes on site and returns your negatives.
Here's what to look for in a film lab anywhere on Long Island, and how getting film developed works at ours.
What to look for in a film lab
Not every place that accepts film develops it. Before you hand over a roll, ask:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the film developed on site? | Labs that ship film to another facility add a week or more and an extra trip for your film. |
| Do I get my negatives back? | Your negatives are the original. Some send-out services don't return them. (Why keep negatives?) |
| Which processes do you run? | Many places only do C-41 color. Black & white and slide film (E-6) need their own chemistry. (Which process do I need?) |
| Which formats? | 35mm is common; 120 medium format and disposables aren't handled everywhere. |
| What scan sizes do you offer? | Scan size decides how large you can print later. (Scan resolution guide) |
| How long does it take? | Turnaround ranges from days at an in-house lab to weeks at send-out services. (How long film takes) |
| Can I mail film in? | Useful if you live farther out east, or just don't want to make the trip. |
Getting film developed at Neptune Photo
| Location | 731 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 — Garden City, Nassau County |
| Hours | Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturday) |
| Processes | C-41 color negative, black & white, E-6 slide — all in-house |
| Formats | 35mm, 120 medium format, disposable cameras (any brand) |
| Scans | Standard or high-resolution, delivered by email link within 5–7 business days |
| Prints | Optional 4×6 single or double prints of every frame |
| Negatives | Always returned, in archival sleeves |
| Mail-in | Accepted from anywhere in the US |
| Developing a 35mm color roll | $11 (current prices for every film type on our film development page) |
Drop off in Garden City
Walk in during store hours — no appointment needed. You can start your order online first so check-in takes a minute, or fill it out at the counter. Scans arrive by email link; your negatives are ready for pickup at the shop.
Since we're a camera store too, you can pick up fresh film, batteries, or a camera while you're here — and ask us anything about your camera or your last roll.
Mail in from anywhere on Long Island (or beyond)
If you're out in Suffolk, in Queens, or anywhere else in the US, mail-in works the same way:
- Place your order on our film development page.
- Pack your rolls or disposable cameras in a padded mailer or small box.
- Ship them to our Garden City lab.
- Get your scans by email link within 5–7 business days of your film's arrival; your negatives are mailed back ($6 return shipping).
What we develop
Everyday color negative film like Kodak Gold, UltraMax, and Portra and Fujifilm 200 and 400; disposable cameras of any brand; black & white films like Ilford HP5 Plus and Kodak Tri-X; slide films like Fujifilm Velvia and Kodak Ektachrome; 120 medium format; and expired rolls found in old cameras (what to expect from expired film).
New to film? Our beginner's film guide and how film development works are good places to start.
FAQ
Where can I get film developed on Long Island?
Neptune Photo at 731 Franklin Ave in Garden City (Nassau County) develops C-41 color, black & white, and E-6 slide film in-house, in 35mm, 120, and disposable cameras, with drop-off at the shop or mail-in from anywhere in the US.
Does Neptune Photo develop film in-house?
Yes. All three processes — C-41, black & white, and E-6 — are developed in our Garden City lab, and scans are made in-house too.
How long does film developing take at Neptune Photo?
Scans are delivered by email link within 5–7 business days of us receiving your film. If you need something sooner, call 516.741.4484 before you drop off.
Do I need an appointment to drop off film?
No. Walk in any time during store hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturday).
Can I mail film to Neptune Photo from Suffolk County or out of state?
Yes. Place your order online, ship your film to our Garden City lab from anywhere in the US, and get your scans by email; your negatives are mailed back to you.
Ready to develop? Start your order online, or bring your film to 731 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 — Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturday). Questions? Call us at 516.741.4484.
Cover photo: Veera.sj, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain (CC0).
Written and reviewed by the Neptune Photo team — the staff behind the counter and in the film lab at our Garden City, NY shop since 1963. Read our editorial policy
