Return-Path: Received: from galley.ece.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa28082; 7 Jul 89 19:00:08 EDT Received: by galley.ece.cmu.edu (5.54-ECE2/5.17) id AA23784; Fri, 7 Jul 89 18:59:56 EDT Date: Fri, 7 Jul 89 18:59:56 EDT From: Paul Glenn McKee Message-Id: <8907072259.AA23784@galley.ece.cmu.edu> To: bovik@k.gp.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Print Film Processing Dear Harry, Here, for your database, are the results of my recent inquiry about print film processing. I hope this will be useful to others. I decided to take my film to Colorcraft (now known as Qualex) on Penn Ave. in the Strip. I got 4x6" prints, which take two days (normal-size prints are ready overnight). They turned out OK -- the colors were not as vivid as those I have seen from some premium services, but there were no scratches on the negatives and the prints were done well. The price depends on the number of pictures printed, but for exactly 24 it is $6.81. Paul McKee ------------ From: Scott H. Robinson You should check the 1989 Consumer Reports. (Trot to the library or buy the book version which has selections of articles from the magazine.) It rates various developing chains. I've used Mystic Color Lab which is a by-mail developing place. I was quite satisfied with the results. The turn-around time was quite good too. They are not cheap, but the prices aren't outrageous either. _________________________________________________________________ Mystic Color Lab 1-800-367-6061 (Customer Service) ___________________________________ National Headquarters Mason's Island Road P.O. Box 144 Mystic, CT 06355-9955 _________________________________________________________________ I've also used CPI at some malls. It's ok, but results can vary widely since their employees tend to be rather short term..... shr ------------ From: Alexander Stein Phil, I strongly recommend the place I have been using for 5 years, Vermont Color. Their quality and service is excellent. I believe that their prices are competitive but not the cheapest. I usually get 1 print 4x6 of each photo for $9.95 to 10.95. They pay shipping both ways, process your order in one to at most two days. They have an ongoing special of 5 rolls for the price of 4. Over the years I have had called them and have always been treated courteously and competently. Recently I sent some slides to be printed in a hurry. They sent the order back to me next day UPS delivery at no extra charge. If you are interested I can bring in some mailers for you. By the way, I have no connection with these people other than that of a very satisfied customer. One other note, they let you pay by credit card as well. -alex HH2136 ------------ From: Bret.Musser@RIO.MT.CS.CMU.EDU Here's where I've gone, and my opinions: Thrift Drug: never again will I go here. They coated my negatives with some crap that, although it resists scratching, it layered and uneven, which is very bad if you want large prints made. Giant Eagle: They have a tendency to scratch your negatives, however, for slide film at less than $2 a roll, I'll take a couple of scratches, and just play the gamble they won't scratch my better slides. Schiller's Pharmacy (shadyside): okay. not as cheap as Giant Eagle, but better quality. Local photo stores: I distrust them, after having talked with a person that used to work for similar stores: they sometimes look at people's prints w/o permission before the customer gets them. I know Ritz Camera does this, but I don't know about any others. Filmet: I go here for all the processing I care about. They're located in Swissvale I think (look in phone book). Its costs about $2 for processing, and 45 cents per 4x6 print. But they're a quality place, catering to professionals and serious amateurs mostly. Service is next day, quality is excellent. Hope this helps, Bret Musser P.S. Who is Harry Bovik? ------------- From: Cam Miller I got some photos back from the CMU Art Store today and I'm not overly impressed. They're ok - but I got prints that were just as good from Foodland (of all places.) Of course, they may use the same processor! The Art Store uses two different companies and the envelop does not indicate which company. The cost was $8.49 for 36 exposures. ------------ From: Jeffrey Campbell I have used 3 places for film processing. The photo place (yellow hut in the middle of the floor) at Allegheny Center Mall scratched the negatives on the one roll I gave them. Needless to say, it was the last roll I took there. Having gone to school in Rochester, NY, I have somewhat of a Kodak bias. I take most of my film to Loreski's Hobby Shop (camera store) in Miracle Mile Mall and have them send it to Kodak. They often have specials such as double prints or larger prints at the regular price. I have been happy with the results. It probably costs a bit more, but I am willing to pay for consistently good results. This spring I had ASAPhoto send a roll to "Kodak". The results were fine, but they sent it to some licensed processor, not the "Great Yellow Father".