 BetterPhoto Member |
Walmart vs. Camera Shop film development Hi, I'm 3 rolls into my first Canon Rebel 2000 and am wondering if its worth the extra $ to have the 4"X6" color prints developed at a local Camera Shop, as opposed to Walmart. I have a sneaking feeling that a guy just loads the film into a machine pushes a few buttons and out comes the prints (regardless if its Walmart or the Camera Shop)?! Can you set me straight on this? I'm obviously a novice and have just switched from a point and shoot Samsung Maxima. Looking forward to an opinion from those in the know!
|
|
|
|
||
|
Denny |
Mike, I had this same question so I took one roll of film to WalMart and one roll of film to a photo lab and to be honest, I could tell the differnce. Usually I have found if you are keeping you pictures within a 5x7, WalMart does a good job and you can't beat the price. I shoot around 15-25 rolls a week and 95%, I take to Wally World.
|
|
|
|
||
|
John A. Lind |
Mike, A lot of your decision will depend on what you're making the photographs for. Discount department store one-hour labs are notoriously inconsistent over time with printing, including dust and lint in the print machine. For what little color negative I use, I don't trust them with anything important. Far too many times I've had to return prints, sometimes several times. You can occasionally find a good one, and if you do, treasure it while it lasts. OTOH the pro lab I use for the important work, especially large prints, is very consistent and razor sharp. If there's a problem, it's almost always me, not them. On the very few occaions I've had to ask for a reprint, they print it again without any question or hassle. Some pro labs are better than others, but the great majority are first class or they would not be in business long. There was one near me that went downhill in quality (ownership change) and their revenue took a severe nosedive almost immediately. If looking for a pro lab, call a couple of independent portrait studios near you and ask what lab they use. Tell them you're an amateur but have some custom lab work you need done. Most will tell you. Professional photogs know what they and their equipment is capable of and won't tolerate anything less than consistent, top notch lab work. It affects their reputation with their customers and eventually their income. -- John
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||