Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/01/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 12/15/03 8:43 AM, Douglas Herr at telyt@earthlink.net wrote: > San Miguel Photo Lab is now offering B&W fiber prints from digital files: > > http://www.bestlab.com/sanmig14.html > I posted the above on some lists a few weeks ago when this lab was offering a free 8x10 B&W RC print using an LCD enlarger in order to familiarize their staff with the new equipment and process, and to get as much experience with it as quickly as possible. I sent http://www.wildlightphoto.com/land/towercreek.html to San Miguel Photo Lab. My free print arrived about a week ago and I was very disappointed. I already had gotten an 11x14 LightJet print on B&W RC paper from www.reedphoto.com and loved the print: all the detail I'd come to expect from a LightJet print, good rich blacks, sparking highlights and wonderful tonality. I had also gotten a free sample 8x10 LightJet print of this image on Fuji Crystal Archive paper from www.wattscolorlab.com, and was pleasantly surprised: there's a bit of a color cast when compared with the other prints but viewed by itself you'd never suspect it was on RA-4 chromogenic paper. The print from San Miguel was much too harsh. Highlights were blown out, darker midtones were nearly black: http://www.wildlightphoto.com/land/towercreek_harsh.jpg. I contacted San Miguel (bestlab@plateautel.net) and explained the problem. Lee Dubois offered to re-do the print at the lab's expense, which I agreed to. It didn't hurt that I told him that people on several lists had asked me how the print looked ;-) The re-print arrived today. Actually 3 arrived. The first was what Lee called 'Lab normal', which is far better than the initial print. The second print is 'soft', 50/50 blue and green, whatever that means. This print is gorgeous, easily the equal of the LightJet print on RC paper. The third print is normal contrast on warm-tone paper. A very nice print, though I'd like it better with the lower contrast. Bottom line? When it's my money making the print, San Miguel is an excellent option. Not only do they have the neutral and warm-tone papers, they can also print on B&W fiber paper (not RC). I'm happy. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html