Is it true that film SLRs are obsolete unless you develop your own photos?

Question

I have been told that most photo labs now use scanners and print your photos from these scanned images. I live in an area with only a few photo labs such as Wal-mart, Target, and the local Groceries, so it is unlikely that they are using anything but the least expensive printing method available. I do not have the resources to develop my own shots, but recently found an older 35mm SLR and have considered started to take some shots with it, however I worry if what I have been told is true.

So;

Is it true that because of current printing methods for 35mm, shooting in this format will be necessarily of lower quality than my DSLR?

Answer

You asked two slightly different questions.

Is it true that analog SLR’s are obsolete unless you develop your own photos?

No, that is not true. Film may have been supplanted by digital, but it is in no way obsolete.

Is it true that because of current printing methods for 35mm, shooting in this format will be necessarily of lower quality than my DSLR?

It's true, for places like Walmart and their ilk that use cheapo film scanners, however, I wouldn't necessarily say that Walmart, Target and your local grocer are photo-labs. They can develop prints, but like you said, they're going to use the most cost effective method (read: cheap) method they can get away with.

If you are serious about getting good quality prints from your film images, there are still a number of pro labs that develop film and most of them offer mail-in services. Many can be found on the web, and offer a range of service from your standard dip-and-dunk, to more specialized processing.

Also, check with local camera retailers (instead of the big chain ones), as they will often have an attached photo-lab.

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