Re: Numbered Slides Processing?

[P3D Gregory J. Wageman <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Dan Wenz inquires:

>Although I've been having prints processed for several years, I did shoot
>several rolls of slides over the last two years, and have had them
>processed by Qualex/Kodalux/Kodak. Unfortunately, they don't number the
>slides as Kodak did years back. Although I'll be mounting some in the near
>future, I'd like to know whether any of you folks have had slides
>processed by a processor who does number the slides and provides good
>quality mounting. 

My photofinisher (Ewert's) offers a choice of "Kodak Premium Processing"
or Fuji processing for my full-frame 35mm slides.  Since Fuji doesn't
do Kodachrome, I'm forced to sample both.

My Kodak-processed slides come back in white cardboard heat-sealed mounts
that say "Kodachrome" on them on the emulsion side.  The image numbers
(all my Kodak-processed slides have had image numbers) are embossed into
the mount on the lamp (non-emulsion) side, along with the processing lab
location (in my case, "MN" for Minnesota).  The slides come back in a
paper box in classic Kodak yellow colors inside a heavy paper sleeve (to
keep the cover closed).  These mounts are a pain to open if I choose to
remount.

Fuji returns my slides in heat-sealed, hinged grey plastic mounts in a
black plastic storage box with a snap-closed, hinged cover.  The slides
are numbered and dated on the bulb (non-emulsion) side.  These mounts
are very simple to "zip" open (destroying the mount, of course) if I
choose to remount the slide in RBTs.

Overall I prefer the Fuji mounts and packaging.  Both companies have
had quality-control problems from time to time (e.g. light scratches
on the film, mis-mounted [off-center] slides, etc., but no mis-cut or
otherwise ruined images, so far).  Knock wood.

	-Greg W.


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