It seems like all at once and out of nowhere I started receiving ads from a bunch of different film development companies and those rolls sitting in the back of a drawer started screaming out to me to solve their mysteries. When I found that there was a shop right here in Chicago offering a first roll development and scan free I figured I would give the local option the first crack. So I signed up for the offer and placed some old rolls in a sandwich bag in my jacket pocket but then weeks passed by and it just kept slipping my mind. This was where Bellows first impressed me. I received direct messages from the shop saying that my offer would be expiring soon and asking if I'd like to extend the redemption date which was nice. I finally dropped in the day of that really bad snowstorm back in November and my first impression of the shop was positive. I liked the laidback and clean feel of the place. There is just about every type of contemporary film as well as some cameras and accessories available to buy and they had a good number of people at the counter for taking film development orders. There was also a tintype photographer doing a pop up event which is always cool to witness. I realized while I was there that my already amateurish photography knowledge was pretty rusty so I appreciated the staff going over things with me while I was filling out my development order form without being condescending. I also liked that they said that if the rolls came out blank or with no usable photos they would contact me about price adjusting. I went with the take your time option for development and scans for 3 rolls and the scans were ready for me in 3 days. The development came out about as well as they could with such expired film but nothing some color correction can't fix. They actually turned out a lot better than I expected they would and I am happy that I now have had some of the mysteries revealed. Bellows staff contacted me about picking up my negatives as I was traveling but a quick message and they assured me that they would hold onto the negatives for a little while longer. Although it's very much a shop for serious film photographers I think Bellows is a great local option for film development and I'll probably be returning with some more film to develop soon. read more

I recently have been into film and disposable cameras and was happy to have a film lab so close! I brought in film from 2024, 2010, and 2006 and surprisingly most of the pictures turned out pretty well! The location is super cute and they have a lot of film for sale. I brought in three rolls and it was around 50 dollars which did seem a little pricey to me but I'm also new to this so not sure what prices really go for. Everyone was super nice and were able to answer any questions I had. read more

Bellows Film Lab - Interior - Digitizing Services Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dear Bellows- What's up? I mean, what's going on? Where are my scans? I dropped off one roll of 35 mm two days ago for a 24 hour turnaround on development and scan. When I started using Bellows a year ago, I was so happy to have found a local, reliable developer (scanner). Apart from one time when my email wasn't legible to you, and one time when some equipment was down, I found you so professional and reliable. Fast forward to a year later, you've moved to a new location, and things have just gone downhill. In the past eight weeks I have had to call every time I have dropped off film to ask when i might get my scans. I've paid for (and expected) a 24 hour turnaround. Then...I wait. I call to see where my scans are, and then I get excuses. The excuses I've heard so far have ranged from "well, you dropped off 120 film and that takes longer" (not mentioned when I dropped off, took more than 48 hours), "when we say 24 hours, that can mean until the end of the next day" (so, 24 hours is now 32 hours?) to "we've been busy" (again, not mentioned at drop off). One time my scans came as I hung up from calling about my scans. This time I decided to wait and see how long it would take without my calling to chase down my film/scans. By the time you open tomorrow it will be 72 hours. I paid for and expected 24 hours. Until now I haven't asked for a refund on my 24 hour processing that has taken much longer but maybe this time I will ask for that refund. So, again I ask, what's up? What's happened? Signed, A once happy customer read more

Bellows consistently over promises and under delivers on their services. In addition to being grossly over priced (which seems to be to catering to the chuegy instagram hobby "film photographers" 9$ matcha latte crowd) they consistently are late with delivering photos when regardless of what length rush service you pay for. Currently the fourth time I've paid for 24 hr development and it's now 48hrs later and I have not received my files and I cannot reach anyone on the phone there despite their being open. Additionally multiple times I've tried to pay extra for the 1hr rush service they heavily focus their marketing towards, I've been told it's not available. I'm frustrated because despite paying extra for 24hr service I usually still get 48-72hr service instead (which they offer for cheaper, but you have to pay for your roll on drop off unlike most other labs in the city that charge you upon pick up) Basically if you are a photographer or someone who works in media I would NOT trust bellows with your film especially if you are under strict deadlines. Unnecessarily expensive and consistently very late with deliverables, and on top of it they usually have an attitude on the phone with you when you ask about the literal service you have already paid for. read more

First, I will agree with everyone who states that the scans Bellows produces are "dirty". While I have not seen finger prints on my scans, I have yet to receive a single FRAME without dust-marks or anything that looks like stray hairs. Every single image. So what? Lightroom has an awesome AI tool that seamlessly and quickly removes every imperfection caused by Bellows. I'm a professional photographer who sends to Bellows my rolls of 120 shot through a Holga as "fun" images, fully aware that my iPhone takes higher quality images. For less than $25/roll, I can ask Bellows to Push or Pull a roll of 120 film and receive 12 Tiffs at over 130Mb EACH FRAME. Let's put this into context: processing a roll of 120 at CSW (a professional lab in Chicago) costs $6.50 (http://www.cswfilmsystem.com - if you know, you know). While the website does not state the cost of pushing or pulling a roll, that's typically a 50% up charge, so you're looking at $9.75. THEN, take that roll to The Print Lab (https://www.printlab.com/) and scan each image individually and, at $35/image (for their small scans), you arrive at $420/120roll of film. That's $429.75 vs. $25. Bellows is the modern day equivalent of Fotomat Kiosk (look it up...they existed into the '90's). Your scans from a professional lab will be pristine, but tell me that if you even thought to bring your film to Bellows you were thinking about professional-level quality. You weren't. I'm reading some of the reviews right now... Joseph S. writes, "I had wedding film and when I walked in they made me wait 20 minutes "... Joseph, you idiot. You took WEDDING FILM to a budget lab and you got everything you paid for. Mike L. stated: "This is probably the scam of the century. I paid $25 for their disposable camera. Let's start there. Then I dropped my camera off and was asked how I would like my film developed. There are two options. I picked the cheaper version at $20. I was then told I would receive an email with my digital photos and could come in for my photos. The clerk said they do digital first that way you wouldn't be charged for photos that could not be developed. Well, only about 10 photos came out. The camera was garbage and I spent close to $2 a digital photo." Mike: You absolute fuckwit. You bought a $25 camera and believe the camera is to blame as only "10 photos came out." Here's a thought: YOU ARE A SHIT PHOTOGRAPHER WITH A SHIT CAMERA, YOU HAVE NO CONCEPT OF HOW TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND YOU GOT WHAT YOU PAID FOR!" Bellows is awesome for what it is. I just wish they'd use a blower to clean the film before scanning. Everyone else with their stupid complaints can F off. read more

The person working there explained some technical things... not exactly correctly. Then they lost my girlfriend's film. Also it wasn't cheap. Won't be going back. read more

Pretty nice place, I've only been in twice so I was kinda surprised at everyone saying that the employees were rude. I haven't experienced that but if I do I'll update my experience. For film developing they have options for one hour (extra fee and only if they aren't behind ima dining), 24 hours, and 72 hours which takes off 10% of your order. I got my film within 72 hours on WeTransfer and was able to pick up my negatives. I think they only keep negatives for 10 days. If you wanna buy 35 mm color film it seems to range between $14-$20 per roll and they seem to have a lot of options. Overall it's a pretty cute place. I just moved to Chicago so I have yet to try out other film places and see how they compare, price wise. For developing and scanning it's about $18-$20 (developing being like $10 and another $10 to have digital download, take off $2 if you wait 72 hours) read more

Love this place!! It's just the cutest vibe! Lots of fun decor. The workers are so sweet, always very helpful. They have my film developed from my disposable within 24 hours and sent to my email! Usually around $23! Will continue to come here! read more

DO NOT RECOMMEND. Even if they are your only option, do not pick them. I had wedding film and when I walked in they made me wait 20 minutes before saying they simply "couldn't find them". I came back about day later like they said and still nothing. They did not even say sorry. They were gossiping while I waited there. How do you lose wedding film? I got one roll back and it seemed like they exposed them to light. NEVER AGAIN. I would give a zero, but that's not possible. read more

Moved to Chicago about a year ago and needed to find a new film lab. Happy I found bellows. They had a great turnaround time for a digital link for a roll of 35mm. All the pictures turned out great too. They also sell film there which is fairly affordable. Will be going back to develop more rolls. Everyone was nice in store and had a great vibe. read more

Awesome place for development and fast. Reading the negative reviews -- it seems more like folks who haven't used a film lab before, no disrespect intended, but pricing is very fair for how much development chemicals cost and the employees' time. Additionally 3-4 day turnaround for dev + scan is incredible and very rare -- I would happily pay extra for this but it's unnecessary here. The employees clearly know a lot about film and development, the selection of which scanner to use is very nice, as is method of delivery. Obviously, being able to compare Bellows with other filmlabs is helpful in knowing just how much a photographer gets out of going there, but let me tell you -- it is a great deal and the quality is very high. I have used many, many, many filmlabs and this is one of my favorites. read more

Have been here a couple of times now, they always do a great job with my disposables and have a relatively quick turnout time! The people working are always friendly and helpful. I definitely recommend this place! read more

This is probably the scam of the century. I paid $25 for their disposable camera. Let's start there. Then I dropped my camera off and was asked how I would like my film developed. There are two options. I picked the cheaper version at $20. I was then told I would receive an email with my digital photos and could come in for my photos. The clerk said they do digital first that way you wouldn't be charged for photos that could not be developed. Well, only about 10 photos came out. The camera was garbage and I spent close to $2 a digital photo. In total I paid almost $45 and found out that I don't even get the actual photos. That would be even more money! If I were told up front that I wouldn't even get the actual prints after spending this kind of money, I would have gladly dropped the camera off at another place or just bought more polaroid film. read more

Cute concept. Rude employees. Had no idea how to work retail. Please remember your front desk is your first reflection for customers.

im not sure how to feel about this place, its a nice and cool in person store but the services have failed me twice now, i've gone to Bellows film lab two times now, once in their miami location and once in this chicago location hoping that the same thing wouldn't happen. Both times I brought rolls of film to be developed and both times I paid for the 24 hour option (they have three choices one that's fast that costs more, the 24 hr option, or a 72 hr option that's at a 10% discount) and both times I had to call and ask where my film is at because I didn't receive it at the time frame I paid for. The first time I called at the miami location it was just a bit over 24 hours so I didn't think too much of it since I had brought it in later in the day the day before. The second time in the chicago location I waited more and once I reached the 72 hours I called thinking maybe it was sent to the wrong email or something happened and immediately after the call I got my file. If there are delays I completely understand and wouldn't mind waiting but the customers should be made aware if that is the case and not by us having to call. I just wonder why is it that i can't get my pictures in the time I paid for and have to call in order to even get them or at least be told there are delays. I wonder how long it would've taken if I hadn't called read more

In my experience, the staff have always been very helpful and friendly. They develop the film in a timely manner. It's nice to get the digital copies and then decide which ones to print after. read more

Walked in this morning super excited to purchase film and totally ignored. I literally said excuse me and the girl with the colored hair just kept on looking at her computer. Didn't acknowledge us what so ever. The other lady on the phone obviously heard me but she was taking care of a customer so I get it. She definitely seemed very friendly. I stood in front of the counter to give the girl a chance but still kept on like i wasn't standing there. Horrible customer service. read more

This place is great!!!! Such nice employees. Really attentive and caring, if you can believe it!!!! Quick response and great follow through. Steffie was really helpful! read more

I was shocked at how unfriendly the staff I encountered were. I've had great experiences at the Miami location, so I decided to drop off a few rolls of film when I was in Chicago recently. The person with the pinkish buzz cut at the front desk (referred to as Coral by his colleagues) was extremely unpleasant, unhelpful, and lacked basic customer service skills. Seemed like they had no interest in helping me learn about film at all. A girl with orange and pink hair fortunately was able to come to my rescue, pull me away from the front desk person, and answer my questions, but I don't think I will be returning. read more