Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Various labs over the years have been used, but I have been told just > recently, that to speed up the printing of automatic machine prints, > the lenses are usually used wide open ---- as opposed to stopping > down for custom enlargements. Am I expecting too much wanting > needle sharp machine prints or should we keep trying different labs? > > Marvin > It is true that some labs try to save time by using their lenses wide open and that produces awful looking prints. Through recommendations I have been using a lab which takes pride in its work and I get very consistent results from them. If a set of prints appear awful, I know it is my fault. There are not many such labs in Singapore and I find it worth the effort to drive all the way to them even though my neighbourhod lab is more convenient. These chaps have so much pride in service that they have given regulars like me a card key which allows me to drop off film in their equivalent of a night safe over a weekend and pick the prints up at lunch on Mondays. They charge 10 cents more per 4x6" print compared to my neighbourhood (one hour type) lab but they are worth it. I believe there are a handful of good labs around and you just have to keep looking and find one. Dan Khong