Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I read with interest the stories of processing failures in labs all over. Since I retired, I have what can only be described as a "pie job". I get to work in a photofinishing lab of a large photo chain- I guess I should not give them a plug, but we have over 300 stores! I love it, but like Br'er Rabbit, and the briar patch, I keep quiet and they actually pay me to work there! In over four years of processing, even though I just work weekends, I have done thousands of rolls, and lost only one because the tape on the leader failed- and that regretably was my fault. I can say with some assurance that any lab worth its salt is going to test equipment and chemicals BEFORE running any customer film. We run QC checks each morning, and if things are not right, or out of limits, we make corrections, and monitor that day's work closely. For example, Sunday I had a drop in density in the print processor due to low volume; I made the corrections, and actually ran four controls strips that afternoon to make sure things were working properly ( they were!). I cannot imagine anyone not taking the utmost care in doing anyone's film since most, if not all are totally irreplacable, and even if you can reshoot, for a pro, that can be expensive. I would definitely find a new lab!