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Is there a quality photo lab in Chicago? I've just had another disappointing
experience with 35mm prints. I thought I had a better chance of getting quality
prints because I went to a film/camera store on the north side - one that
specialized in film developing, using a Kodak film lab (not the in-store,
done-in-an-hour junk). However, when I picked up the prints tonight, close to
half the prints on all four rolls of 24 exposure had ink stains from the
"Quality Kodak Processing" marks placed on the back of each print. The ink was
still wet and thus marked the front of each print. Now, I recall from the days in my college photography class that our professor
didn't recommend writing on the back of prints and if we had to, he suggested
using pencil rather than ink, because the ink could bleed through the paper
over time. Gee, wouldn't you think the "professionals" would know better? NO!
They've got to use an automated ink-stamping machine to label each print. And
we're not talking a fine-lined printed label, but a honking big font, sloppy
mark. I just don't get it. So, know I'm back to square one. I desire a quality lab that will be careful in
the processing. I'd be happy to send them to a mail order lab, if I knew I
could rely on getting quality prints. Are there any photo/camera stores that
send film out for developing - and you wait a few days or a week for prints
because the lab took their time to do it right? While I'm spoiled with my Nikon
CoolPix digital camera, being able to get almost immediate results, I'm willing
to wait in order to get quality 35mm prints. It just frustrates me. I take the time to crop in the viewfinder (yeah, I know
I'm only getting 93% of the image in the viewfinder... ), and to make
certain I'm getting the proper exposure and composition. Then I give my film
over to someone who rushes the processing, scratches the negatives, over
exposes the prints, and then tops it all off with sloppy ink stamps on the back
of each print that are certain to eventually bleed through the paper. I guess
that is technological progress. So, if anyone has any suggestions on a quality film / print processing lab, I'd
be very appreciative. No, I won't name my first born after you for your
assistance, but I'd send some "good gratitude vibes" your way.
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I use Helix which uses a couple of great color houses in the city.
They have been pretty consistent with their quality and they are
always more than willing to fix anything you aren't happy with. I also
tried MotoPhoto and was very impressed with the work they did for me.
They have Fuji processing equipment so if you are shooting Kodachrome
go somewhere else.
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