FAQ —  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are you processing black & white film yet?

Not quite—but it’s on the way! We’ll soon be developing true silver halide black & white film (like Ilford HP5, Kodak Tri-X and so on) as soon as we’ve got the right processor up and running. We’re just waiting for the right moment (and the right bits of kit) before rolling it out.

In the meantime, we’ll be stocking Ilford XP2, which gives beautiful black-and-white results but runs on our current C41 colour chemistry—so it’s ready to go right now. Lovely stuff!

Do you process CineStill film?

Yes indeed! CineStill is an ACMT film, which means it’s real Kodak motion picture film with the Remjet layer removed (normally found on 35mm cinema film to protect it from scratches and static).

That removal makes it compatible with our C41 chemistry, so it goes through our machine just fine. You can develop CineStill in ECN-2 or C41, and while the results are ever so slightly different, most people love the rich, cinematic contrast that comes out through C41. Either way, you’re in safe hands.

What about 120 medium format film?

Yes! We’re processing 120 film and we’ll also be stocking it in the shop very soon. It’s a tiny bit more time-consuming to develop than 35mm, but it’s no trouble at all—we’re offering next working day turnaround as standard.

As for selling 120 film rolls—we’re just staggering the rollout to make sure we can stock what people actually want and need. It’ll be available to buy in-store soon, so keep an eye out.

What about slide film and ECN-2?

Both slide film (E6) and ECN-2 motion picture film processing are in the pipeline. We’re focusing on getting our core services perfect first, then expanding bit by bit. If you shoot these formats, hang tight—they’re on our radar and coming soon.

Will you offer a mail-in service?

Absolutely. Mail-in processing is very nearly ready! We’re just finding our feet with in-person services first to make sure everything runs like clockwork.

The website’s almost ready, and once it’s live, you’ll be able to post your film from anywhere in the UK, with scanned results pinging into your inbox before you know it.

Do you have a drop-off service?

Yes—and it’s coming very soon! If you swing by out of hours or on a day when we’re closed, you’ll be able to drop your rolls into one of our handy drop-off dockets just outside the lab.

Here’s how it works:

1. Grab a docket and pop your film inside.

2. Write your name and contact details on the front.

3. Scan the QR code to pre-pay online.

4. Drop it into the box and we’ll handle the rest.

Turnaround time will be within five working days, and we’ll email you once your scans are ready or your rolls are good to collect.

Where’s my confirmation email or my scans?

Scans are sent via WeTransfer, and receipts come from Square, our payment system. Both services occasionally get a bit overexcited and send things to your junk or spam folders, so do give those a check if you’re wondering where your files are hiding.

Still not there? Give us a shout—we’ll get it sorted.

Are you doing anything eco-friendly?

Yes, but we’re taking things one step at a time. We’re working towards greener practices—chemical disposal, packaging, water use, and more—and it’s a huge part of our long-term plan.

These things take a little time (and a fair chunk of money) to do right, but rest assured—we’re on it, and we’re committed to building a more sustainable lab over the next few months.

How will I know when new services launch?

Follow us on social media! That’s where we’ll post all updates—whether it’s black & white processing, ECN-2, darkroom bits, new film stock, or fun community events. We love film and we want to build something truly lovely here—and you’ll be the first to know when anything exciting happens.

Thanks for your patience while we grow—this place has been a long time coming, and we’re so excited to share it with you.

Just Shoot Film

For the love of grain.