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Posted by JohnS on June 02, 2002 at 02:19:59:
In Reply to: Re: clark color lab posted by John Ayres on June 01, 2002 at 20:06:11:
I've been using Clark, Mystic and Fairlawn, NJ for most of my print film for the past couple of years.
I live near Clark, which is in the old District Photo, in Beltsville, MD.
I've bought mailers to get Kodak processing and send the film to Fairlawn.
My observation is that Clark has improved over the last two years. When I first started, they were very inconsistent, but have improved dramatically with all types of print film that I use--to the point where I am considering not using the other services much. For 4x6 single prints, I'm paying about $3 per 24-27 exp. roll and can pick up the stuff the same day if I time it right.
Clark is the Qualex (Kodak) lab for all of the consumer printing in suburban DC. The only difference between their service and the Kodak processing you specify in the gocery store is the paper the prints are done on. Kodak premium prints are done on Duralife paper, while the regular processing is on a thinner Kodak paper. That is the only difference.
Fairlawn quality has taken a huge dip in the past few months, with dirty prints and scratch marks on negatives. They've ruined more rolls lately than the other services.
Mystic Color Lab is not bad and offer a good value for double prints. I don't think their printer is up to the standard of either Clark or Fairlawn though and you notice this most if you do macro work.
Also, if you ever do night photos, don't bother with Mystic as they will ruin them.
I send APS stuff to Mystic, because they are the best value there. That's right gang I use APS and I'm not ashamed to say it :). My two cents.
Posted by John Ayres on June 02, 2002 at 15:31:25:
Guess I'll have to give em another try!
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