Recommendation on Scan/Print Lab

[Pokie]

I have some color negatives that I need to have scanned and prints made.
Can anyone give me recommendations on labs that can produce top-quality scans & prints?
One of the pics is one of my (very few) published images that I need to have printed for a family member for Christmas.
I've seen West Coast Imaging heavily plugged in OP.
Any experience with them?
Others?
I don't know enough to know exactly what to ask for - drum, flatbed, bits, etc.
I hope that a professional outfit would be able to review the negative and tell me what I need instead of me having to tell them

Thanks,
Pokie

[hw771230]

Pokie,

I looked at West Coast for scans, but the price is pretty high for the film shots I have (I bet they do a really good job though). I'm not sure what you have to be scanned, but it might be worth having them do it. Since I got my MF film camera I am looking into getting a scanner that will handle it later this year. I just need to wait until we are in the new house before I bring more stuff home!

If your shots are slides or 35mm strips you may be able to go to the library to get a couple of them scanned. I know ours has a decent 35 scanner available.

Have you looked at any other labs? I bet there are a bunch of really good competitive option available, you just have to find them.

Caleb

[Pokie]

I thought I'd share the results with you.
Ultimately I decided to send the negative off to West Coast Imaging for a quality scan and print.
> The print is stellar!
> The packaging was top-notch - I don't think the Samsonite Gorilla could have hurt it in transit!
> Cost - It's too much for 'casual prints' - if it weren't this picture for this occasion, I'd find another route.
But after what I've seen from one order, I'd have no hesitation about using them again for the right occasion!

Here's a low res copy of the unedited scan.
C&C welcome, but note that nothing has been done to optimize this for either viewing or printing.
My computer isn't too keen on opening the 800+MB edited image they sent, and I haven't done much playing with the 'small' copy, but I'll get it sorted out!

Original pic took me an entire roll of film - this was the keeper.
I set up for uncluttered background and to get the boy and dog on the same plane so I could keep both in focus with narrow DOF.
I used an open aperture for shutter speed and DOF.
Nikon N70; Sigma 70-300 DL

[Bonish Photo]

That's a stellar shot! I agree, a shot like that you dont skimp on when it comes to cost.

Glad to have a real world review of West Coast service because I've also read a bunch of stuff in Outdoor Photographer, but most of those shooters arent paying for the services or are being reimbursed with big sales from their work.

Now remember that I scored a 55 on the color IQ test but the shot looks like it has a blue cast to it and on my monitor, I'd warm it up a bit.