Best Film Developers of 2026
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Film developers are essential for producing high-quality film images. These products work by chemically processing the film to bring out the desired colors and contrast. There are various types of film developers available on the market, each designed for specific types of film and photographic styles. Some developers are known for producing rich, saturated colors, while others are better suited for creating subtle tonal variations. Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist, investing in a quality film developer can make all the difference in the final outcome of your images.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Film Developers
CineStill CS41 Liquid Developing Quart Kit
The CineStill CS41 Liquid Developing Quart Kit allows you to process any color-negative film easily at home with two simple chemistry mixtures. It can be used at a variety of temperatures with the same equipment you already use to process your black and white film, and it's specially formulated for modern color films, eliminating the need for a stabilizer bath. The modern emulsions were designed to simplify the process, and you can have beautifully developed, bleached, and fixed color negatives ready to scan or print in no time.
Kodak D-76 Developer Powder
Kodak D-76 Developer is a high-quality darkroom chemical offered by Kodak. This developer powder is designed to provide full emulsion speed and excellent shadow detail with normal contrast, resulting in fine grain photos. With its one-gallon mix in powder form, you can easily mix it with water before use. Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur enthusiast, Kodak D-76 Developer is an excellent choice for almost any general photo application. Its outstanding features make it versatile and reliable for capturing stunning black and white images. Experience the convenience and benefits of using Kodak D-76 Developer for your photography needs.
Darkroom Chemical Storage Bottles
This set of 3x 1000ml Darkroom Chemical Storage Bottles made of HDPE is perfect for storing all photographic chemicals including developer, stopper, and fixer. The package comes with 3x stickers for easy identification. Each bottle measures 23.5 x 7 x 7 cm and weighs only 86g. You can use it for film photo developing processing and other darkroom chemicals.
Kodak D-76 Developer Powder
Kodak D-76 Powder is a black and white film developer that ensures full emulsion speed, good shadow detail, moderately fine grain, and excellent development latitude. By using this developer, you can achieve optimal contrast in your photos while having the flexibility for both normal and push processing. The convenience of being able to replenish with LegacyPro L76-R replenisher makes it suitable for continuous use. With just one packet making a gallon working solution or diluted 1:1, this product offers cost-effectiveness and ease of use for your darkroom needs.
eTone 3X 1000ml Collapsible Darkroom Chemical Storage Bottles
eTone Collapsible Chemical Bottles are made of HDPE plastic, ensuring anti-corrosion and acid resistance to keep your chemical liquids fresh and stable. With a max capacity of 1000ml per bottle, these collapsible containers are perfect for storing darkroom photographic chemicals like fixer, developer, and stopper. The lightproof design prevents leakage, while the compact dimensions make them ideal for long-term storage of various liquids, grains, and powders that require anti-oxidation and anti-moisture protection.
eTone 3X 1000ml Round Container
The eTone Chemical Storage Bottles are a must-have for any darkroom enthusiast. With a capacity of 1000ml, these round containers are perfect for storing all your photographic chemicals including stopper, fixer, and developer. Made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), these bottles are durable and leak-proof, ensuring the safety of your chemicals. The bottles come with stickers, making it easy to label and organize your chemicals. Measuring 22cm x 8.5cm, they are compact and easy to store. Whether you are a professional photographer or a hobbyist, these eTone Chemical Storage Bottles provide a convenient and reliable solution for all your darkroom needs.
KODAK Dektol Paper Developer
KODAK Dektol Developer is a high-quality powder concentrate designed for developing black and white photographic paper. With the ability to mix with water to create 1 gallon of developer, this product offers convenience and cost-effectiveness. The developer is specifically formulated to enhance the development process of black and white paper, ensuring optimal results. Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast, KODAK Dektol Developer provides reliable and consistent performance, allowing you to achieve rich and detailed prints. Its compatibility with black and white photographic paper makes it a versatile choice for various applications. Experience the convenience and exceptional results with KODAK Dektol Developer.
ASEVAT 500ml HDPE Darkroom Chemical Storage Bottles (3pcs)
The ASEVAT Darkroom Storage Bottles are designed to protect your sensitive chemicals by blocking harmful UV light with their black HDPE material. This helps keep your photographic chemicals safe during transport and storage. You’ll find these bottles versatile since they can store not only photo developers and fixers but also various lab liquids, powders, and samples, making them handy for multiple uses. Their leak-proof screw caps with aluminum foil liners ensure that your liquids stay secure without spills. Made from durable, acid-resistant plastic, these bottles are built to last, resist cracking, and keep your chemicals fresh and stable.
Ultrafine Motipix Economy ECN-2 Processing Kit 1L
The Ultrafine Motipix Economy Kit is designed to help you develop your own film at home while saving money. This 1-liter kit includes everything you need: developer, fixer, and bleach, making it a complete solution for film processing. It's easy to use, so you can enjoy the process without hassle or confusion. Additionally, the kit is versatile enough to handle C-41 films, giving you more flexibility in your film developing projects. With this kit, you get a cost-effective, all-in-one option that’s perfect for beginners and hobbyists alike.
eTone 3X 500ml Darkroom Chemical Storage Bottles
The eTone 3X 500ml Darkroom Chemical Storage Bottles are made of HDPE plastic, which is chemical resistant and light-proof. The package includes 3 bottles, 3 caps, and 3 stickers to help you organize your chemicals. These bottles are suitable for all photographic chemicals, including developer, stopper, and fixer. Each bottle has a capacity of 500ml, making them a great size for most darkroom needs. The total weight of the package is 192g, or 6.77oz.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does a film developer do?
In the processing of photographic films, plates or papers, the photographic developer (or just developer) is one or more chemicals that convert the latent image to a visible image.
2. Where can I send my film to be developed?
No matter what type of film requires developing, you can bring it to your local CVS Photo location for processing. Services include processing for 35mm film, disposable cameras, Advanced Photo System film, black and white film, 110 film and slide film.
3. How much is it to get your film developed?
It can cost anywhere from $9.96 to $17.99 (not including taxes) to develop one roll of 35mm film at a local retail store. However, some online film processing labs will cost about the same and deliver better quality scans and will return your negatives, often with a much faster turnaround time.
4. Can you still get a film developed?
Can you still get films developed? Yes you can! Film developing is making a huge comeback. From the moment you leave your camera films with us, we'll take great care of your photos when developing your film.
During our film developer research, we found 16 film developer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,748 customer reviews through our big data system to write the film developers list. We found that most customers choose film developers with an average price of $20.34.
The film developers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of film developers, including CineStill, Kodak, eTone, ASEVAT, Ultrafine. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 713 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.