Bellows Film Lab Miami — Local services in Miami

Gosh, where to start. What an awful experience. I decided to have a film developed here as it’s closer to me than other film labs and I followed them on Instagram and they seemed to know what they were doing with the quality of photos. But, it’s probably an Instagram vs reality situation and reality is the key. Walked in to the shop, it’s decorated well, with lots of funky pieces and fully stocked. The shop had a smell like portable potty, not sure where that was coming from. The employee was okay, he helped me take out my film from my new camera. I filled out the form with “no rush” that was supposed to be ready in 72 hours. After 72 hours, I had not yet received my scanned photos via email. I called the shop and they said there had been “some mix up” not sure what this mix up was as this was as straightforward as it gets. A few hours later I had not yet received my photos so I tried calling again and no answer. I called a few times- no answer. I check my email and they had just sent my photos.

I was missing about 6 photos from a 24 roll. I know depending on certain photos this can happen if they’re too dark etc. Every single photo had a Scribble line on the top of the photo. Meaning they had not scanned them well probably in a rush. Their margin was off, and it came out in every photo. I called the next morning to inform them of this. They said they’d call me in a few minutes. A few hours passed and I called again. They said they were busy and would be rescanning the photos by the end of the day. They said that the 8 missing photos were not missing but actually too dark to scan. I thought alright that’s fine. It happens.

I finally get to checking out their new scan and every single photo has a squiggly line on the corner and guess what? Two new photos appear! Photos that were not in the first scan. I pick up my negatives and guess what? Another photo is in my negatives that was not scanned. What a waste of money and time. I don’t think these folks know what they’re doing. They misplace your things in a mix up, then scan them rushed and mess up margins and leave things in the scanners that ruin your photos. Definitely never coming here again. There are other film labs in Miami that focus more on the quality and knowledge behind film versus their shop aesthetic. My partner also had a bad experience with them as we both took films to be developed. Don’t come here if you really care about quality and a...

I now understand the various negative reviews. Let me start by saying i'm a professional photographer and I'm used to professional labs in NY. This is not a pro lab by any means. I took a chance by bringing 2 rolls (with a job on them) and I was very disappointed by everything that happened next. To start, my scans were not delivered on time. I called in after 5 days and I quickly realized something was wrong when they didn't know what happened. I went in person and the deer in headlight who was looking for my negatives at one point said he thought they might have tossed them! Can you imagine a lab that would toss your negs 5 days? Negs were finally found after a while, but surprise...they had not been scanned. I was promised they'd be scanned by that evening, of course they were not. I received an email the next day, but it only included the digital contact sheets, not the actual picture files. I had to call again and wait again for my scans. Also, the contact sheet was a joke--2 rolls of film all mixed up, not in order--the files were named the same for both rolls, how did no one notice this? And the scanned files were either manipulated at their desire (super saturated and contrasty) or the developing was screwed up. Sure, they refunded me for developing and scanning but I lost a work week waiting, nearly lost a job on film and now need to get them scanned by a pro lab to see what's up. Basically, this is a consumer lab for people looking to develop film that isn't important. Pro shooters go elsewhere! Palm Lab in South Miami has been the best lab so far for me in town, very quick and clean negs and scans. UPDATE: I took the Portra film (a very common type of film) Bellows developed for me to a PRO lab and they confirmed that Bellows either didn't use the correct chemistry for my film or overdeveloped it. This means it's RUINED, the colors are oversaturated, shadows are blocked up and highlights are blown out. Oh and my negs have dents and scratches! Do not believe the positive reviews--what a JOKE of a lab. I know for a fact many others have had similar...

Do not bring your disposable cameras here. Will come out damaged or with unexplained irregularities in your photos.

Recently moved here and tried using Bellows to develop my disposable cameras and both times it’s been a bad experience. Better luck at literally any other film studio or even Walmart and at least they’d come out with the pictures undamaged. For how much they charge I’d expect to have them at least come out properly. Had photos developed many places and I’ve never had these issues.

First time I came couples photos came out with lines and exposure issue. Second time now there’s a brown swipe on two more photos. I ask today and the girl says the first might have been “double exposed” and continues to say that isn’t possible though with a disposable. And how the other photos with the brown swipe might have “water damage”. Camera had no water on it at point mind you, and if there was; it wouldn’t be just 2 photos.

But no effort to resolve or even look at negatives to see what the issue was. Just simply “idk”

On top of this, the digital photos claim to be sent but never received until I come in a second time and request to get them sent again. They offer Dropbox but then aren’t actually able to send them through Dropbox because theirs is full. Also never actually printed the photos so when I came over a week later they still weren’t ready.

Overall customer service- unhelpful and unable to explain any...