 Kix Pix |
What's the Difference in Photo Labs? Here's my question. I have a pro lab I use for my work. They do outstanding work without a doubt. However, their processing is costly. Can I use a good consumer lab to get my negs, then use my pro lab for my prints? I guess I could ask: Will this affect the quality of my negatives? Or will they be the same no matter where the negs are developed? I don't want to have them done cheaper and they not be the same quality negative as if the pro would've done. Thanks for any input! Rick
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Vince Broesch |
The most important thing that a lab does is process the film. That is because if there is any error in printing, you just print again, but any error in film processing will be difficult or impossible to fix. There are two main factors in film processing, the mechanics of the machine can cause scratches, over or under temp, etc. The other main factor is called "process control," which is the monitoring and charting of the reactions being caused by the chemicals. These things are much more tightly controlled in a pro lab than they would be somewhere else. I’d stick to the pro lab unless you are willing to take greater risk of damaged film as well as lower quality prints.
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Ken Henry |
One, you will be paying a higher price for reprints, after the film is developed from any lab. Two, How much are you really going to save? Go digital, No film and processing cost, and prints are cheaper than from film. I use mini labs to pro labs. They all have the same technology machines today. It's competition. Film processing by these machines are extremely accurate. But, I've had only one minilab make me 8x12's which were not sharp. He readjusted his machine and the reprints were sharp. Why? This consumer minilab does very little enlargement work. Just for good measure I went to another lab and had another set made, which were equaly as sharp. Pro or minilabs I still have to give them the color corrections for reprints. Film print machines have what you may call a 'memory readjustment'. They will 'average out'. Meaning, if that machine has processed 50 rolls of film and they were all flash work and your film is natural-light work, your pictures may have a strong warm cast because that machine has been correcting for the 'blue flash'. That's why these machines need to be recalibrated often during the day. A GOOD minilab or employee will do this. Yes, pro-labs do the best corrections for you because they provide a pro service. Mini-labs are mostly consumer oriented, no correction service is available. So, since I learned how to make color and density corrections I can go anywhere, but, 99% of my work goes to a pro lab. Consistancy, service and quality.
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Wendy |
I take my film to Wal-Mart for developing. From there, the prints I like, I take to my lab to get developed and enlarged if needed. I have never had a problem with my negatives being messed up, and doing it this way saves alot of money. I have been doing it this way for three years now with no regrets. Wendy V
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Ken Henry |
You got it Wendy. The technology of those machines today are idiot proof.
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marisa basso |
I also have been getting my negatives done for several years through walmart, but I do have to say, they have screwed up my prints, 1 roll could have half perfect pictures the other half looks liek they used old chemicals. I have not had probelms with the negatives. I simply get the prints pick what I like, scan the good images into my computer crop and fix in photoshop and than take the best shots to the lab on disc. Warning! Do not take your photos to CVS. They have scratched a whole roll of film that I shot at a wedding. I sued them. Thank god a lab was able to fix the deep scratches for me. By the way, if you send your photos to be developed at walmart for processing out of the store, in Connecticut it is done at a FUJI Lab, each Walmart in each state gets them done at a different lab. They do not all use FUJI.
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Jaime Finseth |
I just wanted to add a word of caution about using Wal-Mart to process your film. I too used to use Wal-Mart until just recently 1/2 a roll of film was damaged by the machine creating scratches on the negatives. Good thing for me they are all practice shots, but I was still sick about it. From now on I will use a professional lab!
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marisa basso |
I AM RESPONDING AGAIN. I FOUND OUT ABOUT A WONDERFUL LAB OUT ONLINE. I KNOW 3 PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT USE THEM AND SWEAR BY THEM AND IT IS A PRO LAB WITH THE CHEAPEST PRICES I HAVE SEEN. THEY ASK THAT YOU SCAN YOUR IMAGES IN AT 300 DPI AND THAN SUBMIT IT VIA FTP. THEY WILL SEND YOU 3 FREE 8 X 10 PRINTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COLOR MATCHES YOUR COMPUTER AND WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM THEM AND THEY CREATE A PROFILE FOR YOU! NAME IS WHITE HOUSE CUSTOM COLOUR. LOOK IT UP ON GOOGLE. THERE NUMBER IS 800-252-5234. I HAVE A QUESTION..... I DONT KNOW HOW TO FTP. I SENT THEM PHOTOS VIA MAIL, BUT CAN SOMEONE TELL ME HOW TO FTP PHOTOS WITHOUT LOSING RESOLUTION? MARISA
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