YM Camera

A Journey Into the Past, for the Present

By Robby Yankush / YM Camera

The first thing my father said when I told him we were bringing back the film lab was, “You’re crazy. One of the best days of my life was when we threw out our film lab!” But, to his credit, he was quickly on board once he saw the passion our team had for the medium.

I’m Robby Yankush, one of the owners of YM Camera, a third-generation camera store located in Boardman, Ohio. Our story began in 1951 when my grandfather, a visionary in the photo industry, founded YM Camera (short for Youngstown Microfilm). Over 75 years later, my father took the reins in the ‘80s, and now, I’m at the helm, guiding this beloved business into a new era.

In the early 2000s, we saw the meteoric rise of digital photography, and, like many others, we made the tough decision to close our film lab. The demand just wasn’t there to justify the expense of maintaining film chemistry and equipment. But starting around 2018, something incredible happened: film started making a comeback. A younger generation rediscovered the beauty of analog photography – the grain, the process, the authenticity. I, along with our lab manager, Rob, were all in. We knew we wanted to be part of this resurgence.

The Mission: Rebuilding Our Film Lab

Our goal was simple: Let’s restart the film lab, and make it the best it can be.

I was determined to go “all-in.” If you brought us a roll of film—whether C-41, ECN-2, True Black & White, or even E-6—I wanted to be your one-stop shop for developing, scanning, and printing. Rob and I had the technical knowledge, so it was time to gather the gear.

Step One: The Jobo ATL-1000

The first major piece of equipment we needed was for developing black and white or specialty films. After some research, we landed on the Jobo ATL-1000, a fantastic machine that could handle virtually any type of film. We found one locally that needed only minimal refurbishment, and to this day, it remains my favorite piece of lab equipment. It’s simple to load, offers preset times for various film types, and it’s rock-solid reliable.

With the Jobo in place, we turned to CatLabs in Boston for some additional gear—more reels, a solid film dryer, and a few other essential tools. And just like that, we were ready to develop.

Step Two: Scanners. The Real Challenge.

Now, if the Jobo was the easy part, then scanners—oh boy, scanners—were a whole different story.

Purchasing a film scanner is a nightmare. There’s just no getting around it. You see, the best film scanners on the market today are from the early 2000s, and they come from just two companies: Noritsu and Frontier. These are the workhorses of the lab world, but here’s the catch: they’re old. And the software? Even older.

Dealing with resellers of these machines is like navigating a minefield. Many are fly-by-night operations that take your money and run. So, you end up with a $6,000 Noritsu LS-1100, but no idea how to get it running. You’ll find yourself digging through forum posts, learning how to run virtual machines of ancient versions of Windows, and praying the hardware doesn’t break down.

After hours of troubleshooting, a lot of support from friends in the industry, and a few tears, we got both our Noritsu and Frontier scanners working. I have to admit, it wasn’t easy, but after sourcing our scanners from a reliable seller in Indonesia (who turned out to be far more dependable than any of the U.S.-based sellers), we were back in business.

Step Three: The C-41 Processor (The Real Struggle)

Next up: the Noritsu film processor for C-41 color film, the industry standard. Now, if you thought the scanners were tough, the processor was a whole different beast.

I purchased our C-41 processor “refurbished,” but, in a plot twist, I ended up doing most of the refurbishing myself. I took delivery of the machine, plugged it in, and boom—it immediately shorted out, frying two motherboards.

From that point, it was a battle. Ten different parts, dozens of phone calls, countless Facetime sessions with the seller, and a massive headache later, we got the processor working. My cell phone became a gallery of part numbers, diagrams, and wiring patterns. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve become an expert in Noritsu processors—but trust me, I didn’t want to be!

The Lab Is Finally Ready

Fast forward through months of work, countless hours spent troubleshooting, and a lot of sweat and tears, and we now have two fully functioning film processors, a fresh supply of Fujifilm chemistry, our scanners, dryers, film sleever, and everything else we need for a top-tier film lab. But there was still one challenge left: getting the word out.

For years, YM Camera had built a reputation as a “digital-only” camera store. Sure, you could buy the latest Nikon, Canon, or Sony camera here, but film was always an afterthought. We knew we needed to change that perception. So, we launched a large marketing campaign, offered discounted rates, and gave away free development and scanning for our loyal film customers.

It worked. Word spread quickly, friends told friends, and soon enough, our film lab became one of the most popular parts of YM Camera. The lab’s success has been a huge source of pride for us.

The Future of Photography: Bright and Grainy

As I look around at the vibrant film community, I feel truly excited for the future of photography. There’s a real sense of renewal in the industry, and it’s largely driven by the young photographers who walk through our door every day with their rolls of film. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it’s reaffirmed my own love for the craft.

I truly believe that the photo industry is healthier than ever and has plenty of room to grow and evolve. For us at YM Camera, it’s about bridging the past and the present, and offering both worlds to the photographers of tomorrow.