Reliable Lab, or Buy A Scanner?

[George S.]

Since getting back into film use, I can't find a local lab that's any good. Had bad experiences at all 3 places I've tried.

WalMart- screwed up/lost my order then found it and gave me red toned prints. They redid them, but everything took 2 weeks.

CVS Pharmacy- Gave them a roll of B&W, they said it'll take two days. It took two WEEKS and cost me $15.00 for about 15 prints.

Another CVS- All prints came back with a green tint. The negs had a reddish hue to them. They redid them and they came out worse, even more green. The supervisor then redid them and they came out OK, not terrific, but OK. Their machine doesn't have a monitor, so they have no way of previewing the order !?

I used to have a regional Fuji lab which was phenominal, but they closed.

Any suggestions, a reliable mail-order perhaps, or should I bite the bullet and get a film scanner? Thanks.

 

[alternatve]

Bite the bullet and get a film scanner, the best you can afford. It doesn't make sense to splurge on expensive lenses when your scanner lets you down.

Epson and Nikon makes great scanners, and Canon makes some affordable ones.

Samuel

 

[Bob Michaels]

Try any photo lab that does not sell lipstick.

 

[haagen_dazs]

is your black and white film a C41 process type of a true b/w process?

CVS have always developed my C41 negs very well
i scan them at home on a NikV

you could consider the epson V500 to scan your prints.
hear alot of great reviews about it

 

[Quinn Porter]

Let a lab develop your C41, but buy a scanner and do your own printing. Unless you use a professional lab and spend more money, you are likely to get "auto everything" prints. Auto color correction, auto levels, auto sharpening. Unless your shooting conditions were ideal, you probably won't be happy.

 

[George S.]

Try any photo lab that does not sell lipstick.

I was trying to stay local for fast, but not necessarily 1-hour, results and not have to do mail order. I don't know of any pro labs withing driving distance. I was mostly testing various lenses with some new (used) RF body purchases just to make sure there were no issues, not super critical stuff. I didn't think the state of printing 4x6 snapshots had fallen this low this fast.

Since most people still shooting film (not serious shooters who own scanners, and not "us" here on RFF) probably use these quick drug stores, I'd think experiences like I just had would serve to push them into digital faster than Canon's advertising budget ever could.

I know I probably should just get a scanner, but I wanted to try and stay out of the digital process completely when shooting film. I own several digital cameras and three printers for when I want to go that route, and didn't want to add more equipment in an already tight space around my computer.

 

[jolefler]

My suggestion

My suggestion

is to try to find out which employees at your discount store actually try at and care about their job. Spend a few minutes chatting with them about your past problem there, showing them the results. See if they're willing to try...you'll be able to tell if they know how to go about it. Don't pick a busy time for them to chat. I'm able to work with a couple of gals at Wally world.

I don't have a scanner, either, but I get away with either copying a wet print with my nice digital camera, or shooting a macro of the neg with the same camera and working on the pics with Fastone.

I get passable web results either way. You can see some at:

http://www.apug.org/forums/portfolios.php?u=11531&pp=8

Jo

 

[George S.]

is to try to find out which employees at your discount store actually try at and care about their job. Spend a few minutes chatting with them about your past problem there, showing them the results. See if they're willing to try...you'll be able to tell if they know how to go about it. Don't pick a busy time for them to chat. I'm able to work with a couple of gals at Wally world. Jo

I understand what you mean, I had these kinds of contacts at other labs that have long since closed. Well, at the second CVS mentioned in my original post, I complained to the photo supervisor, who then said she'd try to get them printed. She was quite cool and almost snotty in her attitude when I was complaining, then after getting the prints right she seemed to warm up and became cordial. I went back in today for a photo battery and saw her and she was cold and aloof, so whatever photo relationship I had hoped to cultivate seems not likely to happen.