Looking for a Good US Mail-In Processor

[Phoenix1]

The fast-dying film processing industry has recently taken the only decent local processing lab in Cincinnati. As an underwater Nikonos photographer who generates about 30 rolls every six months, I need a good processing lab that can take my Fuji Reala 35mm color print film and produce high res digital files (~2000x3000).

I don't need fast, and I don't necessarily need cheap. I need good, and I'm willing to wait for the time it takes to ship my film somewhere to be completed. If you spend several thousands on a dive vacation, it makes no sense to cut corners on processing.

Can anyone recommend good mail-in choices?

My latest try with a local chain photo store was very disappointing. Either the scanner, the processing or both produced very low quality, mosaic-looking results.

 

[vondo]

I'd look to mpix.com. They are a professional version of Snapfish or something like that. I've also used DigMyPics.com to get digital scans of slides. They do negatives too and I've been very happy with them.

 

[Phoenix1]

Mpix seems to be limited to a medium resolution scan (1200 x 1800). DigMyPix looks like they do great work, but I don't see any processing services. Ideally, I'd like to see the same outfit do the processing and a hi-rez scan.

 

[gert7to3]

Try Dale Labs in Florida. I used them for years before going digital and was happy to see that they are surviving.

2960 Simms Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020-1579
Toll Free (800) 327-1776 • FAX (954) 922-3008
Contact Us At: dalelabs@aol.com


Dale Laboratories

 

[gert7to3]

Another couple of possible sources:

Helix Camera and Video

Gamma :: Services, Drum Scans, Digital Prints, Vehicle Graphics, Pop-up Displays

Gamma is a dedicated pro processing lab. Helix has a retail arm (and a renowned underwater department). They are both local for me here in Chicago. I am sure they will handle mail orders.

 

[Phoenix1]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions above. I have contacted each to see what they can do.

I do note, however, that there seems to be a low end and a high end, but not much in the middle I am looking for.

Many locations offer "Picture CDs" which would be fine for emailing and small prints, with scan resolutions no greater than 1800 x 1200. At the other end of the spectrum are the professional labs that can create extremely high resolution scans, but which are produced (and priced) on a per image basis.

Until my lab closed, I was used to 3000 x 2000 scans on a very good scanner for my routine 35 mm rolls. I have found that for my work, after enlarging, cropping and printing, this is a bare minimum for me.

Is there anyone in the middle out there?