Although high-spec phone cameras and even nostalgic digital cameras are commonplace nowadays, there’s still a group of people who love and appreciate the trusty old film camera.
If you’re someone who is a part of this group (or wants to get into it), you might be looking for studios who can process your images. Here are some spots in Malaysia that can do it.
Both Johor and the Klang Valley appear to be hubs for film cameras and processing, so we’re focusing on these two regions’ offerings.
Klang Valley
1. Zontiga
On the first floor of a Taman Paramount shop lot is Zontiga, a self-described creative hub for photography enthusiasts.
They also have an outlet on the second floor of GMBB.
Their locations are fairly accessible by public transportation, so I’ve personally frequented their stores quite often. Although they tend to tell me they need up to a week to process my film, they often send the files to me within two of their working days.
Location:
- Zontiga PJ: No.21A, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Zontiga KL: GM-2-29, Level 2, GMBB, No.2, Jalan Robertson, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours:
- Zontiga PJ: Monday to Tuesday, 12PM to 6PM; Friday, 12PM to 10PM; Saturday to Sunday, 12PM to 7PM
- Zontiga KL: Monday, by appointment; Tuesday to Sunday, 12PM to 7PM
Services & price:
| Service | Film Type | Price (RM) |
| Film Developing & Scanning | C-41 (Colour Negative), 135/120 | RM24 |
| Black & White, 135/120 | RM37 | |
| Film Developing Only | C-41 (Colour Negative), 135/120 | RM12 |
| Black & White, 135/120 | RM25 | |
| Scanning Only | Uncut Film Roll, 135/120 | RM15 |
| Film Strips, 135/120/220 | RM6 per strip | |
| 4 x 5 Sheet Film, 4 x 5 | RM12 per sheet | |
| Mounted Slide Film, Slide | RM6 per slide |
Turnaround time: Within seven days for their PJ location and 10 days for their KL branch
Contact: info@zontiga.com
2. Darkroom8
A photo lab in KL, Darkroom8 offers film developing and scanning, photo printing, as well as fine art printing services.
They also offer film delivery services, so if you live further away, you can still send your films to them to develop and process.
Location: 62, Jalan Galian, Taman Miharja, 55200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 12PM to 6PM
Services and price:
| Film Processing & Film Scanning | Format | Price |
| C41 Film Processing and Scanning | 135 / 120 | RM16.80 |
| Black & White Film Processing and Scanning | 135 / 120 | RM16.80 |
| ECN2 Film Processing and Scanning | 135 / 120 | RM20 |
| E6 Reversal Processing and Scanning | 135 / 120 | RM50 |
| Non-standard 35 mm frame | 135 | +RM10 |
Turnaround time: Same day delivery possible for C41 Colour Negative Film, and three days for Black & White Negative Film
Contact: Instagram
3. Bang Bang Geng
Founded in 2013, Bang Bang Geng is a notable film shop in Klang Valley, offering all sorts of products for photography enthusiasts, especially those who prefer things analogue.
The Publika shop also offers some photo processing services for film cameras.
Location: Lot 15-20, level G1, Publika Shopping Gallery, Jln Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 11AM to 8PM
Services and pricing:
- C-41 colour film: RM25/roll
- Black & white film: RM30/rol
Turnaround time: Two to five days
Contact: 03-6211 9025
4. Saujana Film Lab
Located in Imbi, Saujana Film Lab is all about speedy service. They’re able to process your colour films in just an hour.
As for other kinds of processing, they can also complete it within a day.
Location: 16, Lorong 1/77a, lmbi, 2nd Floor, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, Saturday to Sunday, 11AM to 6PM
Services and pricing:
| Developing and Scan | C-41/Colour | RM15 |
| Black and white | RM17 | |
| ECN2 Colour | RM18 | |
| ECN2 Black and white | RM18 | |
| Developing only | C-41/Colour | RM10 |
| Black and white | RM12 | |
| ECN2 Colour | RM12 | |
| ECN2 Black and white | RM12 | |
| Scan only | Any type | RM10 |
Turnaround time: One hour to one day
Contact: 011-5934 8334
5. Film Lab
Describing themselves as a film processing expert, Film Lab is a authorised Kodak dealer in Malaysia that offers a range of film processing services.
You can ask them to ship back your negatives or opt not to.
Location: Lot 9, Jalan 2/118B, Desa Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30AM to 5PM; Saturday to 9:30PM to 12:30PM
Services and pricing:
| Film Format & Type | Develop & Scan (35 mm / 120 Medium Format) |
| Colour Negative (C41) | RM14.80 |
| Single Use Disposable Camera (Colour C41) | RM14.80 |
| Black & White Negative | RM18.00 |
| ECN2 Motion Colour Film | RM16.80 |
Turnaround time: Same day or one working day; three to five working days for black and white negatives
Contact: 019-931 5270
Johor
1. FilmNeverDie.Asia
FilmNeverDie is a film camera shop in Batu Pahat, Johor.
For those who find their location a bit out of the way, they have a variety of film drop-off locations in Johor and KL. They also take mail-ins.
Location: 110, Jln Rahmat, Kampung Pegawai, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor Darul Ta’zim
Opening hours: Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday, 11AM to 6PM
Services and pricing:
| Film Format & Type (35 mm & 120 film) | Develop Only | Develop & Scan (35 mm) |
| Colour Negative (C-41) | RM12 | RM18 |
| Black and White | RM18 | RM23 |
| Slide/Reversal (E-6) | RM40 | RM45 |
| Motion Film (ECN-2) | RM20 | RM25 |
Turnaround time: Colour and black and white processing will take from two days to seven days, though other services can take up to two months
Contact: 014-6197916
2. The Duckroom
A pioneering film lab in Johor, The Duckroom seeks to illustrate how “Film is Not Dead.”
It’s a welcoming spot that aims to create a safe space for likeminded people and sells a variety of equipment.
Location: F-03-08, Level 3, Blok F, Komersial Southkey Mozek, Persiaran Southkey 1, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30AM to 6.30PM
Services and pricing:
| Film Format & Type (35 mm and 120 film) | Develop Only | Develop & Scan |
| Colour Negative (C-41) | RM15 | RM20 |
| Black and White | RM18 | RM23 |
| Motion Film (ECN-2) | RM20 | RM25 |
| E6 Colour Reversal (slide) | RM40 | RM45 |
Turnaround time: One to three days for C-41, black and white, and motion film processing; up to six weeks for slide processing
Contact: 019-7893626 | lab@theduckroom.com
3. The Black Hole Lab
For Brendon Leong, film photography looked like a passing fad until he fell into the rabbit hole—or should we say blackhole?
Originally more of a digital photographer, Brendon went on to start his very own film lab. But before starting The Black Hole Lab, he was actually also involved in the creation of The Duckroom.
Today, the two entities are operated separately, but both seek to uplift and contribute to the film community in Johor and beyond.
Location: 9, Jalan Bijaksana, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday, 12PM to 6PM
Services and pricing:
| Film Format & Type (35 mm& 120mm film) | Develop Only | Develop & Scan |
| Colour Negative (C-41) | RM13 | RM18 |
| Black and White | RM15 | RM20 |
| Motion Film (ECN-2) | RM22 | RM25 |
| E6 Colour Reversal (slide) | RM35 | RM50 |
Turnaround time: One to two working days for colour processing, around seven days for black and white processing and motion film. Slide processing is subject to change.
Contact: 012-260 8760
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Featured Image Credit: The Black Hole Lab/ FilmNeverDie.Asia / Darkroom8
