karen_goss

I know this is an old question, and I will try and post this in other similar branches, but I?d like to share the atrocious experience I had yesterday (24.11.06) at the Agfa lab, San Fransisco,(op. the church) in La Paz, Bolivia, and make sure that it?s not repeated for anyone else.

Out of the 5 rolls 120mm neg handed over to them, with explicit explanation of the care required, I had three of the five returned to me covered in paper fibres, from the backing discarded by every other lab in the world, which the technician had decided to roll the films back into, obviously whilst still wet. All five rolls had scratches from the machine a well as fingerprints and three had bends across several frames.

To add insult to injury, the staff blamed first the machine, then tried to tell me my camera was at fault, and then accused me of mishandling the film both before and after processing, basically denying all responsibility.

I have ten years of photographic experience and have never encountered such unprofessionalism and would urge anyone considering using this lab not to. I can?t convey the incompetance of the entire staff and how insulting the experience was.

I know this is an old question, and I will try and post this in other similar branches, but I?d like to share the atrocious experience I had yesterday at the Agfa lab, San Fransisco,(op. the church) in La Paz and make sure that it?s not repeated for anyone else.

Out of the 5 rolls 120mm neg handed over to them, with explicit explanation of the care required, I had three of the five returned to me covered in paper fibres, from the backing discarded by every other lab in the world, which the technician had decided to roll the films back into, obviously whilst still wet. All five rolls had scratches from the machine a well as fingerprints and three had bends across several frames.

To add insult to injury, the staff blamed first the machine, then tried to tell me my camera was at fault, and then accused me of mishandling the film both before and after processing, basically denying all responsibility.

I have ten years of photographic experience and have never encountered such unprofessionalism and would urge anyone considering using this lab not to. I can?t convey the incompetance of the entire staff and how insulting the experience was.

We were at the Taj earlier this year.

1 - no tripods

2 - give it a go, though you may have to persist in explaining it

3 - the bag should be ok, but it will be searched and the guards may have problems with some of your bits, I had to argue my light meter in, just make sure to speak to someone in a higher position if you get greif from the front gate

4 - I think the entrance fee was 850 Rupees. Also, you cannot come and go, you are permitted to leave once only for a maximum of 30mins to get something to eat (or more film!)

5 - Hotel Sheila is 200 yards away from the East Gate. I would HIGHLY recommend you stay there in order to get to the ticket desk in the least time from leaving your bed! It's very cheap and clean.

6 - Yup, 6am. No way as far as I know to get in earlier, it's pretty organised with guards everywhere and the ticket guy will NOT seel a ticket until he's good and ready. Get there at 5.40am to be the first in line. We were and only managed to get two frames off each without people walking into shot.

9 - everyone in India speaks English!

It's beautiful, have a wonderful day and don't forget to take water.