jpo3136b Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Okay, let me clarify a little. If your interests and needs match up with the interests and needs of a big group of customers patronizing a given store, chances are you'll do well with sending the film in there. If you're different, or more independent or picky or something, than the main body of the store's customer base, you'll be outside the streamlined version of their customer service model. So, the deal is, the best way to buy services is to fall in with a pack of people like yourself (from a printing and processing perspective) and buy the services in the same way. It doesn't matter which store you pick; you want to be in the middle of the pack of people buying those services; that way, they're ready for you to come in to their store. Those margins that are bothering you; I bet the main body of customers at that store doesn't care. I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I was the same kind of customer. For me, it wasn't margins, it was a problem with halation. They'd judge the exposure wrong, and I'd get a halo glow from the white areas, where I should see a sharp line. I suspect you are going to be more comfortable with doing the prints yourself. Good luck. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrankin Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Definitely Mpix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_thalheimer Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I go to a camera store that also has a lab. The techs are good & have a tendency to remember exactly how you want the prints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_harhai Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I used Costco in the past (when I was using film) because of the price and they did a decent job. However, the colors were usually off--I could take the same negative to Ritz Camera and the print would come back with better color consistency every time. However, Ritz is expensive and really not a pro lab. They are not consistent, either. I just set up an account with White House (WHCC.com) and they sent 5 free 8x10s back, the color matched my monitor and the prints looked fantastic. They say that they send these 5 prints to test for color consistency but it also builds goodwill, I'm sure. They also sent a bunch of paper samples back. They were also fast to ship. I'll use them unless something forces me to go somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan_supplee Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I just recently had a couple 20"x30" prints made by elcocolor.com. They came out beautifully, quickly, and were very reasonably priced. They have an "internet specials" tab that has very good prices on larger poster size prints as well as multiple quantity prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miklosphoto Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Only at home on my own R2400. Nobody makes better prints of your photos than you the photographer. You have to learn it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philmello Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I use Walgreens for my color work up to 8x10. The Walgreen's in my town has a great staff. For my B&W I use Dalmation Lab. (www.dalmationlab.com) Check them out. phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtlawyer Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I recently got a couple of 11x14's (they can go larger) at Ritz. Done while I waited, and I was delighted with the results. Paper was a light matte, @ $10 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathonmiller Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I use Costco quite a bit as well. They are near by and have great prices. The caveats with Costco are the same as all chain stores, the quality has a lot to do with whose behind the counter. Downloading and using their posted printer profile is ideal. You are morel likely to get what you are looking for. I have always had good luck when there are mistakes. They have always re-printed them for free and fixed the error. Once the altered the order for me even when the mistake was that I checked Glossy instead of luster. I actually like their paper quality better than some online sources I have tried. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_murray Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 For snapshots I have tried Kodak Gallery, Snapfish and Costco. Costco is by far the best in terms of color reproduction, price and turn-around time. There is also the advantage of in-store pick-up and talking directly to the staff if you are not satisfied with the prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zac_sanders Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Just got back from costco and got some 11x14 made just to see how they look and i am impressed there way better than i though they would be. And its from Kodak Gold 200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjun_mehra Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I've used Walgreens to get a few prints, and they've done fine with the borders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey1 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 When you care enough to only send the very best... http://www.customimgs.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maijaathena Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I love Costco as well. Their customer service is great. They print on archive quality paper. If prints turn out unsatisfactory, they usually reprint at no cost. They're also very affordable. Just make sure to check "No Auto Correct" when submitting your order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razondetre Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Are you guys getting actual photos or "prints"? Prints come from an inkjet. Photos require a darkroom. Do you know of any processor who still produce photos from negatives or has everyone gone to "prints"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G. Dainis Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 "Prints" and "photos" have always been used interchangeably. Even thirty years ago I would say, "I made up these prints last night in my darkroom". Ansel Adams"s definitive book on the subject is titled <I>The Print</I> and Ansel never worked in digital. James G. Dainis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallasmcvickerphotography Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Where can I get custom prints? I have a series of photos shot specificaly for a 10X24 frame. They are of a bridge over saphire blue water in Key west. Wonderful. But I have not been able to find a place to put in custom Print Sizes....even though I am sure its out there. sorry kris for jacking your thread. Thanks, Dallas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn_mabbutt Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Although I haven't tried it, Costco's web interface lets you specify a custom size, so you might want to try that. Also, as I mentioned earlier, my local Costco advertised their ability to do 12"x36" in-store (submitted in-store as well - not sure if you can just hand them a CD or what, however). So, it might be worth talking to your local Costco photo lab and see what they can do for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallasmcvickerphotography Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Glenn Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie_lee5 Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I work for Walgreens, I'm the Head of the photo department and im here if anyone has any questions or concerns. Someone mentions they come to Walgreens for their print and some where else for black and white, in case you havent been informed Walgreens does do black and white also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zac_sanders Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Jamie, what is the resolution of the scans you do in store? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hashim a Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 if you haven't already tried Costco... you really should. hi end machines and color profiles all for a price that's a great value. i've tried some of the other places mentioned - just didn't care for the additional shipping time/cost to already a bit pricey, imo, prints. i'm no pro, but do want and appreciate high quality prints - i was more than pleasantly surprised by the Costco experience - the color profiles were a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallasmcvickerphotography Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I do not wish to be slanderous, and maybe it is only this one store, but the Walgreens by my house has printed a selection of terrible photos of mine. Similarly the CVS(What is the difference between the two anyways) by my work also does not do a good job. I must say though the 8X10’s the CVS did for me came out really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjun_mehra Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Jamie, I've sent a few black-and-white shots to Walgreens to be printed — they've always come back unsatisfactory. I'm not sure whether it's because the shots are digitally-captured or because the equipment at the store isn't set up properly, but Walgreens-made black-and-white prints always end up with a queer blue/purple tint. For important black-and-white work, I still shoot film and make my own prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 West Coast Imaging (WCI) is my primary printer, although I have had good results at others, such as Calypso. Ninety-nine percent of what I print is done on Fuji Supergloss by either WCI's Chromira printer or Calypso's LightJet. WCI uses FedEX to ship, and it is a bit expensive, but I have never had a problem with them. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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