Next week will be my first trip to Bonaire and after reading tons of these messages -man, I just can't wait! Anyway, I'd like to know if there are a few good photo shops on Bonaire. Not sure I want my film to go through the new x-rays at the airports. I'd rather get GOOD slide and print film on Bonaire and also get it processed before I leave. If there are, what are they called? Thanks very much

RDM

My friend had her slides done at a photo shop in the Harbourside Mall and she was happy with their one hour service. There is another place but I don't remember where it is.

Randal

It is good to get some developed when in Bonaire. Some resorts - Cap'n Don's and the Plaza run a slide show/photo contest which is also fun. Processing for slides is $10ish.

I am just scanning in my Maldives slides as I could not find anywhere in the islands to develop them - luckily they survived, but I did insist on them NOT passing through the XRay scanners.

Randal,

We do E-6 processing daily here at Habitat for $10 per roll and sleeved. We take our print film to Paradise Photo for processing, 24 exp. for $20 and 36 exp. for $25. Either E-6 or print film in to us by 2:00 p.m. and back to you by 4:30 p.m. same day. We sell the Kodak SeaProcessing Mailers as well.

Ahhhh Jake...hope this isn't to commercial

Hey there Darlene, Jack and Brian, thanks mucho for your help. I won't buy any film -I'll just get it when I get there. Less things to pack. But then, I'll have more to take home. But who care, right? That's what I'm supposed to do on vactaion.

Jack - you're okay with answering with just the facts in this case :-)

Jake

Randal

I would take some film with you as it is expensive on the island at around $12.50 for a 36 exp slide film. I usually take at least 10 rolls with me and buy the rest in Bonaire.

Randal & Brian,

I asked Jake by phone if it was alright to post our film prices here just so you guys have it as a reference and he said it was OK, so here goes

Kodak Print Film

Gold 100/36 $6.10/roll
Gold 100/24 $5.00/roll
Gold 200/36 $6.50/roll
Gold 200/24 $5.50/rollMax 400/36 $7.00/roll
Max 400/24 $5.00/roll

Kodak Slide Film

Elite Chrome 100/36 $9.00/roll
Elite Chrome Xtra Color 100/36 $9.50/roll
VS Pro 100/36 $14/roll

I had a few thoughts on this subject.
1. It is fun to see your shots while you are there, get at least some rolls done locally. I liked the quality at Harbourside mall. He even printed a few shot two different ways to see what I liked best.

2. They are not as nice about not X-raying your film now. My wife asked and was taken into a room for special tests. She was with some of our children at the time. We were going BWI to Florida. If you buy it there and process it there, no worries.

3. The digital fans will chime in soon and say forget film, go digital.

4. Sea processing is nice but expensive, I think $16.00 a roll. You get prints and a CD with your pictures. It took 7 days to come back. (See 1 above)

Jack how long does it take to get the film processed at those rates?

Russ,

The list a couple of messages up are the purchase prices of the film. Developing is additional and is listed further up in the thread. Time is, get the film to us by 2:00pm have it back by 4:30 or 5:00 pm same day.

Protect your film in a lead lined velcro case in checked luggage. Cases available through travel stores like magellan's.

Time to dust off this thread again :-) We'll be on Bonaire the first two weeks of September.
I must say the prices you quote, Jack, are not cheap, but they aren't outrageous either. If I buy in bulk here in the Netherlands, I'd pay about half that price per roll. So I'll see how much I can take along, I tend to use quite a bit of film... You may see me stopping by because I didn't bring enough ;-).
Jack, do you only sell Kodak slidefilm or also Fuji (Velvia)? Do you normally have enough on stock? Does slide-processing take 1 day as well?

Hi Marc,

I agree...wish we could offer it less expensive, however with import duties, freight, taxes, etc., etc., etc.,...well, those are about the best prices I can offer.

We do carry Fuji as well and should have plenty in stock if you need to resupply while on island. The E-6 processing is the same...deliver your film to us by 2:00 p.m. and get it back same day by 4:30-5:00 p.m..

Looking forward to seeing you in September.

I know, like I said, it's not outrageous and it's actually better than I had expected. A roll of Kodak EBX does about 6 Euro (or $) here when bought per piece. Bulk of course is much cheaper.

Count on it to see me/us :-)

Till then,
Marc