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The best film labs in North Carolina
10 shortlisted from 11 reviewed developers in North Carolina — film labs, camera stores that develop and community darkrooms, each labelled for what it actually is.
How this ranking works
- Score = rating × log₁₀(review count). A 5.0 from nine people does not outrank a 4.7 from nine hundred, but one huge lab can't bury everyone either.
- 25 reviews minimum. Below that a rating is noise.
- One entry per chain. Multi-location labs get a single slot, so the list stays a list of businesses rather than of branches.
- Museums and attractions are excluded — this is a directory of places you can actually hand a roll of film to.
- Nothing is paid. No business can buy a position here, and quotes are pulled verbatim from public customer reviews.
#1 Cardinal Camera
4.7 ★★★★★ 666 reviews · Charlotte, NC
#2 Southeastern Camera
4.7 ★★★★★ 560 reviews · Raleigh, NC
Jamie is a very personable guy! You can come in and know nothing about cameras and he will make you feel like an expert. I came in to develop some film from my trip to Morocco and the quality is…
#3 Biggs Camera
4.5 ★★★★★ 576 reviews · Charlotte, NC
Biggs Camera is incredible! I didn't realize how easy it can be to develop film from disposable cameras & get an emailed link to all of the photos, downloadable. Quick turnaround & their customer…
#4 The Fotoshoppe
4.7 ★★★★★ 217 reviews · Raleigh, NC
Man, these guys are so good at what they do. I've been experiementing and learning how to shoot film over the past two years, and these guys have been with me from the jump. So knowledgable in both…
#5 Ball Photo Supply
4.4 ★★★★☆ 240 reviews · Asheville, NC
Been getting film developed here for years and I love this place! Recently took in some old film cameras of my grandpas to make sure they were in working order, and the staff was so unbelievably…
#7 ASAP Photo & Video + The Print Refinery
4.7 ★★★★★ 143 reviews · Greenville, NC
I’ve been doing business with ASAP for more than 6 years. And, I Highly Recommend the ASAP Team at Every Opportunity! Jason and Carder have been instrumental in helping me develop my photographic…
#8 Digital Restoration Services
4.6 ★★★★★ 81 reviews · Greensboro, NC
Over the last 10 years, little by little, I have been having our VHS tapes of family vacations and children's sporting/band events digitized. Wish I would have found Brian a few years ago. His extra…
#9 The Photo Outfitters
4.9 ★★★★★ 61 reviews · Charlotte, NC
Finally made it to the camera world mecca! The place to find the camera equipment I need for my photography hobby. The place to drop off film for fast processing, just like in the olden days! There is…
#10 The Light Factory Photo Arts Center
4.5 ★★★★★ 59 reviews · Charlotte, NC
I've been a huge fan of this place for the last 15 years. Amazing exhibits by real heavy hitters national and international--but they still make room for an annual show of their members' work (which…