RE: Realist format prints

[P3D Duane Starcher <duane_starcher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

        You will have to become acquainted with the operator of one of the
many print machines at one-hour processing places or, if you can manage it,
at a better-quality shop that also does work for professionals like wedding
photographers.  They can print Realist negs easily, but controlling quality
is a chore.  The automatic reading of the neg is over the full 7-perforation
field.  They can read that and give you your 5-perf print and a bit of the
adjacent one, but it is hard to match density, etc., if the adjacent sides
are different (as they will be).  They can also cut a mask so that the meter
reading has a blank area, but at least it is always the same.  This takes
some getting used to and some shops will not want to take the trouble.  The
mask is the way to go, however.  One place cut from black paper; another
made one from tape.

        I have always found someone to do this printing.  I get them to do
the first roll, take the prints home, mount them and go back with a viewer
and the best shots of the roll.  If they are interested in the novelty and
challenge, I go over the problem shots and let them come up with solutions
based on their familiarity with their equipment.  It may take a couple of
tries to find a decent service, but there are a lot of processors out there.
Unless you live in small town and have to mail your stuff out to a
processor, you should be able to get decent printing done.  I have never
even been charged extra.  There are more shots on a Realist roll, so they
get to charge you for more prints.  It is also a break from their routine
and most don't mind.

        Another alteration to routine I have found is to ask for the roll
back uncut.  I then store the roll in a plastic film container, number and
label it and put it in a box where I can actually find it again when I want
it.  

        Good luck on finding a reasonable processor.

        Duane Starcher
<a href="mailto:duane_starcher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx">email to me</a>
<a href="http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~duane">my web page</a>


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