Yes, completely optical/chemical process is what works best for me. I
had some pics done at Snappy Snaps in London last time I was there and
they were awfull. If they were scanning the negs and then priting that
explains it. I would have to differ therefore with you view that
quality has gone up. Here in Spain I use a guy that has a standard C-41
machine, with no digital intervention at all and the results are first
class.
Antonio
On 12 Jun 2004, at 12:55, Bob W wrote:
Hi,
I have noticed this too. I dont think pro-labs help much either, it
depends on the lab. Personally I have found a lab near me that works
for me and just stick with them. I get the impression that with the
move to digital, the old optical process is not getting the attention
it deserves. Perhaps it is a skills shortage, or most likely people
cant be bothered to do a good job. My opinions. Feel free to differ at
will.
Do you mean a completely optical/chemcial process, or one that
includes a digital step? Many of the Snappy Snaps chain in London
produce better C41 minilab prints, at a better price, than the
professional labs in London. These prints are made from scans as part
of the standard process.
Of course, they are not up to the best standards of professional
hand-made prints (chemical or digital), but in my opinion and
experience the quality of standard prints has improved significantly
since the introduction of digital mini-labs.
Which films are the sharpest (200-1600 ASA) today (135 and 120) ?
I quite like Kodak Royal Supra. My local Snappy Snaps prints it on
matching Kodak paper and the results are good. The annoying thing
about the film is that it's not available in speeds below 200.
Do we have to send our films to pro labs to get decent result?
I don't think pro / amateur is necessarily a worthwhile distinction.
If they are both using minilabs then what matters is how much care
they take in the process. You can really only discover this through
personal recommendation or trial-and-error. The quality of
hand-printing is mostly down to the individual printer, not to the
lab. In the UK the best hand-printers seem to work from their own labs
to individual commission, rather than for other labs. Unfortunately it
can cost about �50/hour to work with them.
--
Cheers,
Bob
