analog vs digital photo printing

[leicapages]

I recently had a negative experience regarding printing color print film (Fujicolor Superia 200). Up to now, when I gave them for printing at the lab (CDplus in Austria), they were always printed on Agfa or Kodak Royal paper, but the latest couple of films were printed on Kodak Royal digital paper.

I hadn't really looked at the paper but immediately noticed that the prints were not as crisp as they usually are (shot with R9, CM and CL). Then I noticed that they were printed on digital paper instead of the usual print paper.

And to say I had specifically asked the photo shop not to print them digitally but in the traditional way...

Is this now becoming the "norm"? Actually, quality is being downgraded from what I am used to in terms of "analogue" photography.

What to do? Any recommendations for decent labs in Austria (Vienna)?

Thanks.
Pascal

[stunsworth]

Pascal, you'll struggle to get a totally non-digital print made. from a high street shop. Even if you have a print from a Fuji Frontier system which uses photographic paper, the print will have been made from a digital scan of the negative.

[leicapages]

Hi Steve,

yes, but this was not a one hour lab or so, but the biggest lab in Austria (with 3 days turn around for the pictures).

What bothers me, is that they don't tell you in advance.

How to avoid this downgrading in quality? What do other people do?

If this is what you get when printing from digital files, than it certainly would be pointless to invest in a DMR...

Pascal

[rjans]

The lab I'm using in Belgium (Elkacolor) also switched to Kodak Royal digital paper. The pictures were delveloped this week. I have been looking and in April the prints were on Kodak Royal paper. Could it be that the Royal paper isnt available anymore or all labs switched to the digital version of the paper?
My last pictures were taken with my ML and ML Zoom with Superia (most on 100, and some on 200, 800 and 1600 ISO). I have not noticed any difference in printing quality but they are only 10 x 15 cm.
Best

[Dan States]

Pascal, we are at a stage in photography when the advanced amateur can achieve much better results at home than they will typically get from even a really good general purpose lab. Considering the amount of money Leica users invest in their cameras an Epson R2400 is a minimal investment in outstanding archival prints. Wether you print from a digital camera, scanned color neg or positive you can create prints that live up to your camera's ability.

A good film scanner and a great printer will really open your eyes to the possibilities of color imaging....and if you want black and white the latest generation of printers can do the job perfectly, all from color original files. Take the final step with a DMR or similar quality digital camera and you will be truly amazed.

Best wishes
Dan

[leicapages]

Dan, probably you are right but the problem is that I (and many others I suspect) do simply not have the free time to do just that, which decent photo labs are paid to do: develop and print films correctly...

Pascal

[sinwen]

For slides it is even worse as no lab develop it anymore, so I do it myself.

[stnami]

Pascal you will be suprised how much time and heartache you save by printing at home. No more running around and having to make constant reprints etc. I use a Epson 2200, R800 and just bought a second hand 4800 cheaply as the person said they had no time to use it, my gain their loss.
I have a terrific lab nearby and rarely use it, mostly for advice (a ex student owns it which helps).
Sure it took about a month to set up the printers, but now it is a matter of picking the appropriate printing setup for the image and sit outside with a nice African short black and discuss Jorge Luis Borges with Gu my dog

[gverdon]

Originally Posted by stnami

...and sit outside with a nice African short black and discuss Jorge Luis Borges with Gu my dog

Will your dog have puppies? I may be interested... ;-)

Gérald

[stnami]

Being a German short-haired pointer he has leanings towards Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche,although as a dog that was born in Darwin bought over the internet while we lived in Asia and is named after a Chinese noodle restaurant I have my doubts about his capabilities. Hhe coped with Sartre but his attitude towards Flann O'Brien's "The Third Policeman" leaves a lot to be desired and never lets "The Postman Always Rings Twice"
As for the pups he has sired they have been a major disappointment and are involved in the fashion world and are forever chasing prizes. Gu now spends his time in the Bone Yard in recluse and only ventures out for a bitch or two and shoots blanks

[gverdon]

Originally Posted by stnami

(...)
As for the pups he has sired they have been a major disappointment and are involved in the fashion world and are forever chasing prizes. Gu now spends his time in the Bone Yard in recluse and only ventures out for a bitch or two and shoots blanks

Yeah... quite disapointing indeed. Anyway, I suppose he didn't translate Finnegans Wake into dog's language either... Let's forget it! I'll explain to my dogs, they'll understand.

Best,
Gérald

[michael_boylan]

Originally Posted by leicapages

I hadn't really looked at the paper but immediately noticed that the prints were not as crisp as they usually are (shot with R9, CM and CL). Then I noticed that they were printed on digital paper instead of the usual print paper.l

Pascal,

I should have looked at your post earlier. Yesterday, by coincidence, I had the same experience. I dusted off the M6, used it over the weekend and dropped the film into a one-hour lab looking forward to seeing brilliant Summicron colours with no RGB, sRGB, Adobe 1998, nor Apple RGB, issues to adulterate the process. Needless to say I was less than impressed with the result. And as others have said here the most annoying thing is they don't tell you beforehand. Now we know.

Even analogue has become digital

Michael

[erl]

Regretfully, my mantra of "what I don't do, doesn't happen", is becoming true for all us analog photographers.

[Gerard K]

Look for a lab that does Cibachromes, printed directly from the tranny. Nothing, and I mean nothing looks as good as a well printed Cibachrome. Some say the latest digital printers match them but I show them one of these prints and the jaw usually drops. It's not cheap, and Pascal, sorry I can't help you there in Austria

Gerard.

http://www.chromacolour.com.au/