DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> online photo developing
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 20 of 20, (reverse)
AuthorThread
07/07/2004 07:43:43 AM · #1
Good day all~
First i was wondering about the differences between an actual developed photographic print and a printed print (ie. inkjet printer). do the printed prints hold onto color integrity after 5-10 years or will they fade? is it safer to go with the developed prints? what should i be aware of in these two styles of prints?

Secondly, could anyone suggest good online developing sites, while still being reasonably affordable?

thanks for the help.
07/07/2004 07:50:32 AM · #2
It's going to honestly depend on the printer. If they use high quality paper and inks, you should have a print that lasts up to 100 years. Any camera shop (local photo stores, Ritz Camera, Motophoto, Wolf Camera) will be using a high quality printing process.

DPC Prints is a great way to make prints, Shutterfly is another. Ritzpix also allows you to upload your own images and have them printed at a local location so you save on shipping. I used them to get a portfolio pulled together over a weekend.

Clara
07/07/2004 08:19:02 AM · #3
Did you get any 12x18's done via Ritzpix? Did they offer any profiles so you could soft proof? They don't seem to have all their prices and options unless you register. How much did they charge you and for what print sizes?
07/07/2004 08:59:32 AM · #4
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Did you get any 12x18's done via Ritzpix? Did they offer any profiles so you could soft proof? They don't seem to have all their prices and options unless you register. How much did they charge you and for what print sizes?


I use Wolf /Ritz and they are good, however i find that the coloring is Much better using DPC Prints.

Ritz/Wolf is great when you NEED a print RIGHT NOW!!!, but if you have some time to wait for shipping DPC is The one I would use.

here is the pricing at the Ritz/Wolf stores

Print Prices
Current prices for prints are as follows:

Individual Prints
Size Price per print
4 x 6" $0.29
5 x 7" $1.65
8 x 6" $1.65
8 x 10" $4.99
10 x 13" $12.99
10 x 15" $12.99
11 x 14" $14.99
12 x 18" $18.99
Wallets (8 per sheet) $4.99

Ritz Camera Frequent Foto Club Member Prices
Size Price per print
4 x 6" $0.27
5 x 7" $1.49
8 x 6" $1.49
8 x 10" $4.49
Wallets (8 per sheet) $4.49

Portrait Packs
Small $9.99
Large $15.99

Gift Prices
Current prices for gifts are as follows:

Greeting Cards
Price for 20 Pack $16.99
Price for 25 Pack $19.99
Price for 50 Pack $31.99
Price for 75 Pack $39.99
Price for 100 Pack $49.99
Price for 200 Pack $86.99

Adult T-Shirt $19.99

Child T-Shirt $19.99

Coffee Mug $12.99

Mousepad $10.99


Puzzles
8 x 10" $9.99
11 x 14" $14.99


Posters
10" x 13" $12.99
10" x 15" $12.99
11" x 14" $14.99
12" x 18" $18.99
16" x 20" $19.99
18" x 24" $24.99
20" x 30" $29.99
24" x 36" $49.99

James
07/07/2004 09:22:21 AM · #5
Wow, very detailed list. Thanks. When you say, "coloring is Much better using DPC", what do you mean by that? Do both Ritz and DPCP offer printer profiles? Are there options for paper?

Ah hell, I have too many questions I should probably just register so I can read what they have. I just hate all these websites that won't give you the information without having to go through the rigmarole of registering for their junk mail.
07/07/2004 10:03:19 AM · #6
Back in May I did a group photo and After I edited the pic I sent it to Wolf and went and picked it up later that day to verify that my edits and all made the photo look very good. It dod look good so I went ahead and uploaded the photo to DPC prints and ordered one from there so I could see how it looked before I ordered over 80 prints to have mailed out to the group.

The photo from Wolf was nice, but the colors were dark, the print from DPC Prints was fantastic with vibriant colors and contrast much better than the Wolf print.

I heard back from a few people in the group and they were extreamly pleased with the photo from DPC Prints

I have no idea about using profiles and paper selections
07/07/2004 10:51:12 AM · #7
Processed prints will outlast most (if not all) inkjet prints, and they tend to be cheaper than inkjets for 4x6 size. PhotoAccess and Shutterfly tend to get the highest ratings in commercial site reviews. Both use archival Fuji photo paper and offer your first 10 prints for free so you can try them out. Costco, Walmart, and typical drugstore "developing" aren't nearly as good.

I have a Canon s900 6-color printer that does a fantastic job on glossy photo paper, but there's still no comparison between prints from that inkjet and those from PhotoAccess. The colors on a PhotoAccess print are much richer and have a lot more depth in the shadows.
07/07/2004 10:58:42 AM · #8
Originally posted by scalvert:

Costco, Walmart, and typical drugstore "developing" aren't nearly as good.

I've never used Wal-Mart, but Costco uses "industry-standard" Fuji Frontier and Noritsu machines, and print on Fuji's CrystalArchive paper. Where I am I pay 14 cents for a 4x6, $1.99 for an 8x12, and $3.49 for a 12x18. The color isn't as consistent as I'd expect from a "real" photo store, but it's been pretty good.

I use RitzPix when I need a couple of prints in a hurry, and I've used Ofoto.com when I want Kodak instead of Fuji paper ...
07/07/2004 11:46:31 AM · #9
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by scalvert:

Costco, Walmart, and typical drugstore "developing" aren't nearly as good.

I've never used Wal-Mart, but Costco uses "industry-standard" Fuji Frontier and Noritsu machines, and print on Fuji's CrystalArchive paper. Where I am I pay 14 cents for a 4x6, $1.99 for an 8x12, and $3.49 for a 12x18. The color isn't as consistent as I'd expect from a "real" photo store, but it's been pretty good.

I use RitzPix when I need a couple of prints in a hurry, and I've used Ofoto.com when I want Kodak instead of Fuji paper ...


14 cents for a 4x6 at Costco? At my Costco, I pay 19 cents. Was your 14 cents a typo, or does my Costco rip me off? Hmmmm....
07/07/2004 12:49:58 PM · #10
Originally posted by StevePax:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

... Costco uses "industry-standard" Fuji Frontier and Noritsu machines, and print on Fuji's CrystalArchive paper. Where I am I pay 14 cents for a 4x6, $1.99 for an 8x12 ...


14 cents for a 4x6 at Costco? At my Costco, I pay 19 cents. Was your 14 cents a typo, or does my Costco rip me off? Hmmmm....

I assume it is regional/volume pricing difference. These prices are for the Concord, CA store ... the only other Costco I've been to (for photos) was over a year ago in LA, and I don't remember the pricing there.
07/07/2004 06:13:44 PM · #11
Personally- I use DPC Prints for any fine art prints I order. I think the quality is top notch, and the prices can't be beat in the 8x10/12 and up sizes. Plus I firmly believe in supporting DPC Prints as we grow.

I don't use shutterfly because I can never get a crop that I like. Ritzpix used my crops, and my color adjustments.

As for bigger chain stores. Ask if they plot their photo finishing machines daily. Ask how often the chemestry is changed out? Will they reprint without a complaint if you don't like the image? Camera stores (your mom and pop store, Motophoto, Ritz/Wolf) will do these things. You may pay a bit more, but you are getting a high quality product.

Be an informed consumer. If you use a kiosk system, find out if it's a heat transfer machine. Is it inkjet? What kind of paper are they using. Do not assume! Ask.

Clara
07/07/2004 07:12:34 PM · #12
You may want to try BonusPrint (www.bonusprint.com). They have new digital processing equipment and print on Fuji photo paper.
Prices are as follows :

Digital Sizes

4"x5.3" (10x14cm) 17c
5"x6.6" (13x17cm) 29c
6"x8" (15x20cm) 79c
8"x10.6" (20x27cm) $1.99

Conventional Sizes

4"x6" (10x15cm) 17c
5"x7" (13x18cm) 29c
8"x10" (20x25cm) $1.99

plus...
$2.99 flat rate shipping per order for all US states.
$2.99 flat rate shipping per order outside the US.

I have found the quality to rival if not surpass Ritz photo and other local processing labs at half the cost. The only drawback is the 7 to 10 day wait for delivery of your prints. Hope this helps.

07/07/2004 11:37:19 PM · #13
What if I'm just printing out some snapshots but it would cost to much (and take too long) to do it at home on our printer? I'm assuming that Wolf/Ritz sounds like the best so far (overall) for general printing needs. I'm making a small wedding album for my friend and I only need prints that are 4x6.

Also, how do you get the files to them? On CD?
07/08/2004 12:54:50 AM · #14
Upload them to RitzPix.com -- you will be prompted to locate the nearest store. You typically will be able to pick them up in 2-4 hours. That way, you only have to make one trip to the store.

If you want matte prints (not available at every location) call the store ahead of time and they should be able to change the paper for you.
07/08/2004 01:15:40 AM · #15
I did a comparison a few years ago and sent a set of images to dotPhoto, ofoto, snapfish, walmart and shutterfly.

brought them in to work and had coworkers vote on them.

ofoto was hands down winner with dotphoto a close second.

Dave
07/08/2004 01:32:03 AM · #16
I used Ofoto almost exclusively when I first got my camera, but I am too impatient to wait for small orders in the mail, especially when the shipping costs more than the prints.

They are excellent for larger orders or for posting family photos for other family members (they can order for themselves) since I believe the galleries are still only accessible to people you specifically invite.

One advantage/limitation is they use Kodak papers (they were bought by Kodak a couple of years ago), and last time I checked you could only order glossy for smaller prints, and only matte for larger ones -- that hopefully will have changed with the times ... Another useful feature is that you can order an archive CD of all of you uploaded photos -- a good backup in case of a disk failure, or to send all the photos to someone.

All of my customer service interactions with them have been positive :)

I'm pretty sure one of the big computer magazines held a comparison of the various services last year ...
08/16/2004 07:02:31 PM · #17
Do you know which of these services also provides good service for traditional film processing? It would be great if I could use the same service for both digital and regular film developing, but if you know of one service that might be better (in terms of print quality and price) for regular film developing, that would be great. Thanks for any help!
08/16/2004 07:12:09 PM · #18
Just don't use MotoPhoto's online service! Took over a week to get my pictures, and the color was off.
10/10/2005 12:07:09 PM · #19
Time to bump this up again. I have been using Winkflash recently. 12 cent prints and have good success. Any opinions out there?
11/18/2005 01:46:33 PM · #20
I am wondering if anyone either prints out their photos on watercolor paper or has them processed on watercolor paper by an online service, and if so whom do you recommend.

I have been pleased printing photos (8x10 or smaller) on watercolor paper at home, but I need a new printer (if I go that route) and want some suggestions on printers and printers where the prints on watercolor paper would last the longest.

Anyone have any advice you can offer?
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 05:18:25 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 05:18:25 AM EDT.