michael (02/13/83)
There were 7 responses to my query about mail order photo labs. Here are the results: Kodak 5 votes Modernage (NY) 1 vote Custom Quality (Chicago) 1 vote The person that recommended Custom Quality pointed out an article in Consumer Reports in July of 82 that rated labs. In the article (which I can recommend highly) they got two sets of results. CU did their own sampling and check rated two labs, one was Custom Quality and the other was Clark Color Lab (Washington DC). They also took a survey of readers and got the same results that I did - Kodak was the overwhelming choice. Their own ratings put Kodak one notch below the two mentioned above. They suggest that Kodak's popularity in the survey may this may be a result of their size. Two other labs that got high ratings in CU's survey were Mystic Color Lab (Mystic, Conn.) and Skrudland Photo Service (Hebron, Ill.). Thanks to all that responded. Alan Michael michael@uwisc uwvax!michael
imm (02/14/83)
#R:crystal:-16200:harpo:10900005:000:402 harpo!imm Feb 14 08:32:00 1983 I have used custom quality a lot for the regular size prints. I am very pleased with their quality however it is a minimum of two weeks to get the prints back. I have also used them for enlargements from slides. For color negative film, I have noticed fine scratches on the negatives. I have not noticed that on film developed by Kodak. The scratches show up on 8 by 10 englarements. Irv McNair
halle1 (02/16/83)
Clark Labs in DC is also District Photo for the local trade. Despite CU's glowing raves, I cannot recommend it. A consumer magazine in the DC area rated it the worst of all in all respects. In fact, the locals refer to it as Destruct Photo. From personal experience, the name fits. My advice: use Kodak. Either the mailers or the closest lab that camera stores send to.