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Thread: Why are so many labs incompetent?

  1. #1

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    Let me first say that I know that there must be high-quality labs out there. In fact, some of you probably own/operate them. If you run or know of one those l abs that cares as much about my images as I do, I'd very much appreciate it if y ou'd post the name and location of the lab.

    My experience of late has been primarily with labs that don't care about my phot ographs, and I'm tired of ruined images and service personnel who couldn't care less about their jobs.

    My most recent experience:

    I took some 4x5 Velvia in at around noon one day. The lab's advertised turn-aro und time for E6 was three hours. They told me that it would be ready by 4:00p.m . I returned a bit before that time and waited in the car until it was about 4: 00p.m. I went in, and the woman told me that they had called me to let me know that it would take a bit longer. I hadn't received the message, but I didn't mi nd the delay. She told me that it would take about 20 more minutes. I left, we nt somewhere else, and returned 35-40 minutes later. She told me that they were drying and that it would be a few more minutes. I went somewhere else, then re turned about ten minutes later. She said that it would be just another minute. She said something about it being movie day. By this time I was already late f or an appointment. I waited outside for a couple of minutes (there wasn't reall y any place to wait inside), then went back in. She went into the back room and I waited. And waited. After a couple of minutes I got so fed up with the rude ness that I left. During the experience I had received only the slimmest hint o f an apology. I won't be visiting that place again unless it's an extreme rush (ironic).

    The really pathetic part of this is that I had driven a long way to get there be cause a closer lab had previously scratched my slides. I told a friend (also a photographer) about it and she said that the person in charge would want to know . The lab examined the slides when I brought them back, admitted that I probabl y hadn't done it (the film was scratched under the mount, too) and didn't acknow ledge any fault of theirs (I'm glad that those were only test rolls). Also, the other part of my initial order had been about a day late.

    Both of those labs are so-called "pro" labs (when I had one of the "consumer" la bs develop some snapshots they overcharged me).

    I'm sure that there are lab experiences that have been more disastrous (that wou ld be a thread), but this is enough for me to want to find a lab that I can trus t.

    Again, if you know of a lab that consistently has high-quality processing (E6) a nd customer service, please post the name and location.

    Thank you.

  2. #2

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    I use a lab called Photobition in Seattle. It used to be called Ivey Seright. They have always been great, on time, and the quality is perfect. The only problem that I ever had was one fingerprint on a 35mm slide. They washed it and had it back in my hands within a half hour. (In hindsight however, it may have been my thumbprint.)

    Now that I'm living in New Hampshire, I still send my film back to Seattle for processing. They also do great type R prints.

  3. #3

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    these guys are as good as it gets...

    www.chromatics.com/ nashville tn

  4. #4

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    I've had good luck with - and heard nothing but good about - Hance Partners, 435 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, 928- 773-9926 and Photographic Works, 460 N. Switzer Canyon Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, 928-213-8086.

    Tony

  5. #5

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    If you ever need a good b&w lab call Labwork in Cleveland, Ohio: 216/621-7567

  6. #6

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    Finding a lab that consistently produces good results is not an easy task. In fact, it?s one of the reasons I now use digital with perspective correction in Photoshop for the majority of my commercial work.

    Sooner or later your lab WILL screw up - I?ve had film lost, received the wrong film back, had processing errors of every conceivable variety ?. I?ve even had 120 film back with frames being scissor cut well into the image.

    Why does this happen ? Several reasons come to mind ?. High staff turnover, poor employee training and motivation, large volume of work, and low wages. I?m sure you could find other reasons.

    The problem you describe is a minor one - wait until they lose work that you absolutely have to receive because your income and livelihood depend on it. At that point you say ? No more ?.

    I just completed a job with over 400 frames, the majority of which have been stitched 20 to 30 at a time into a series of panoramic movies for a clients web site. If even one of the frames is screwed up you have to reshoot all 20 or 30 for that pano. Would I trust a lab with that when I have a digital / Photoshop perspective control alternative ? Not on your life. Not to mention the time and money saved by shooting digital.

    The best lab is your own - get a digital back for your LF camera, or use computer perspective control with a digital SLR. Or explore doing your own E6 - the sooner you can no longer depend on a lab, the better.

  7. #7

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    Nathaniel:

    You mention that you still send work out to Seattle. Have you tried Slide Specialists in Lebanon, NH at all?

    I'm just getting started with 4x5, and love Provia in smaller formats, but haven't found anyone other than them locally that is able to do E6 4x5. I have not yet had them do anything for me. I still need to get to the point where my 4x5 B&Ws are within my standards of focus before I start exposing Provia. I have always been leary of mailing film to be processed. I know tons of people do it all the time, but I take comfort in the (feeling of) accountablity that in-person contact brings.

  8. #8

    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    I have always used (after trying others) Dorian Color Lab in Arlington, MA. 24 Mill St. 781-648-8040. Never a mistake, never a ruined roll and I have used them since 1986!

  9. #9
    Whatever David A. Goldfarb's Avatar
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    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    I've always had consistent and professional results as well as friendly service from Modernage in New York. Contact info at www.modernage.com. They handle sheet films up to 11x14" and probably can do panoramic and banquet formats by quote.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
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    Why are so many labs incompetent?

    M - I can feel your pain, but in all fairness, you have to understand that the folks actually doing the work are probably making little only a few bucks more than than minimum wage. I think it's unrealistic to expect top quality and prompr service under those conditions. With what they're making, they can't even afford to shoot 4x5, let along empathize with your need for quality service (or even care). They probably spend most of the shift worrying about how their going to make the rent, car payment, and buy groceries all in the same month, and are not 100% focused on your film. So I think it's a case of getting what you pay for.

    Maybe you should consider doing your own E-6. It's not impossible or unreasonably expensive. The savings on your gas for trips ot the lab and the processing costs would pay for a processor in a year or two. There's nothing like doing it yourself, and having nobody else to blame when things go wrong.

    H

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