----------------------------Original message----------------------------
 
               State University of New York at Stony Brook
                       Stony Brook, NY 11794-3331
 
                                            David Y Allen
                                            Library-Reference
                                            516 632-7110
                                            01-May-1995 03:26pm EDT
FROM:  DYALLEN
TO:    Remote Addressee                     ( [log in to unmask] )
TO:    Remote Addressee                     ( [log in to unmask] )
 
Subject: Survey on Photo CD Labs
 
        This message is being cross-posted to IMAGELIB and MAPS-L.
 
        Some time ago I asked people to report their experiences with Kodak
Photo CD labs, and promised to summarize the results.  I received a small
number of responses, but some were quite informative.  In part because of the
small sample size, the results of my survey should not be taken too seriously
as a guide to what is available.  Doubtless many (most?) excellent labs were
not mentioned.
 
         Most people confirmed that the work done by mass market labs, such as
Kodalux, is below the standard of the best specialty labs.  On the other hand,
the specialty labs are more expensive, and some people seem to be quite happy
with the work done via their local Walmart or camera store.  This seems to be a
sensible route to follow if image quality is not the prime consideration.
 
        One respondent made the interesting observation:  "My experience with
both Photo CD and film photography is that unless a quality lab is located
within your community, it is just as easy to work through the mails and the
various document delivery services with that lab which gives you the result you
are looking for.  For my purposes, Boston is as convenient as Rochester, as
Northridge, CA, as Atlanta, GA, etc.  Of course, I would rather deal with a
local lab but that is rarely possible."
 
        Several labs were recommended by people who were not advertising their
own product and appeared to be in a position to judge.  These are:
 
Boston Photo Imaging
20 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
1-800-237-FOTO
1-617-267-4086
1-617-267-8711 (FAX)
(Ask for David Semperger)
 
Custom Photo Labs
Berkeley, CA
 
Alpha Photo CD
Menlo Park, CA
 
Advanced Photographics
2456-A Route 22
Union, NJ 07083
800-746-8623
 
Caveat emptor, and no guarantees from the summarizer!