Realist Labs, Today

[P3D Bill Davis <bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since my original post in September, I've added a couple of labs to this
list.  I was hoping to include here a brief report on Colorado Camera's
mounting, but three weeks after sending in a few rolls they aren't back
yet.  A later report, then.

The following labs still offer Realist-format mounting, with all
information posted here current as of October 24, 1997:

Stereo Slides:

Except as noted, all of these labs mount by hand in cardboard heat-seal
mounts.

Wace Photo Imaging, 222 E. 44th St., NY NY 10017, phone (212)-661-5600. I
spoke with Pat.  They charge $9.95 to process plus $1.00/pair to mount E-6
(36 exp.).  Kodachrome is $8.29 for 36 and $6.29 for 24 exp., plus $1/pair
to mount.

Pinkey's Photo Service, PO Box 1087, Little Rock, AR 72203, phone (501)
375-6409.  They charge $13.50 for 24 exp., either E-6 or Kodachrome
(K-Chrome is sent out for processing, then back for mounting).  This
includes processing, mounting and return postage.  I spoke with "Mrs.
Pinkey", who does the mounting (by hand).  She's a kindred spirit who said
she enjoys the "free travel vacation" she gets when viewing people's
stereos (with her Realist viewer).  :--)


Rocky Mountain Film, 560 Geneva Street, Aurora, CO 80010, phone (303)
364-6444.  I spoke with Steve.  They process and mount stereo E-6 or
Kodachrome for $19.50/ roll, whether 24 or 36.  $4.00 more per order for
S&H, regardless of how many rolls in the order.  Mark "Attn.: K-14 Dept."
for Kodachrome.

BTW: Rocky Mountain Film may be able to process (non-Super) 8mm Kodachrome
movie film, for whomever was asking about that. I've got some frozen 110
Kodachrome that Steve thought he could process.  Mounts for these are
another problem however.


Colorado Camera Co.,   2480 Kipling Street,  Lakewood, Colorado 80215,
phone: (303) 233-4788    Fax: (303) 237-5207  I spoke with Keith Shrum.
Processing AND stereo mounting for 24 exp. rolls is $10.00 TOTAL.  36 exp.
rolls $12.00 TOTAL. This makes them the most cost-effective mounters in the
bunch.

He said they will also mount your already-processed film for $3.90 for 24
exp. rolls, $5.90 for 36 exp. rolls.  (For those with lots of strips
hanging around, this might be a way to catch up.)  

Keith says they have been mounting stereo for 40 years.  Most of the crew
there are stereo shooters.  He said they do an average of 5 to 10 rolls of
stereo per week.  They have a website on the Internet.  Address:
http://www.indra.com/cocamco/Location.htm

Kodak Premium Processing (Kodalux), 6300 Cedar Springs Rd.  Dallas TX
75235,  phone: (800) 365-5589.   They charge $10.18 for 24 and $12.08 for
36 exposure rolls of Kodachrome.  (Ektachrome was more.) They charge $4.20
in addition to a prepaid mailer (PK-36) per roll. Mailers from B&H or other
NYC mailorder places run about $5 each including S&H.  Mark stereo rolls to
the attention of Earline Pearson. (I haven't spoken to anyone at Kodak
Premium Processing; all information gleaned second-hand from Photo-3D
postings.)
                     
I also have a copy of a 1992 letter from Kodak Processing Labs in Japan,
offering to process and mount stereo slides for the Kodak Camera Club in
Rochester.  Since the information is 5 years old, the service may be gone,
but perhaps someone in that area could contact them for current
information.  The address shown on the letter is:
Kodak Imagica K.K., PO Box 200, Kyobashi, Tokyo, Japan 104-91.  The letter
showed a Customer Service phone number, 81-3-5488-2613 and a fax
81-3-5488-4527

Sunset Color Lab, Box 46145 L.A., CA  90046 (no phone # listed), says they
process and mount a 36 roll of stereo E6 film for $9, and that they dupe
stereo slides for 75 cents a pair, mounted.

One list member reported that they use slip-in mounts, rather than the
foldover heat-seal mounts used by the other labs. 

Another member has had Sunset Color Lab make 4x5 prints from "a stack of
realist slides, some in glass with old tape."

I sent a S.A.S.E. to Sunset for information.

--------------------
PRECISION Slide Mounting:

Although this was supposed to be a list of labs offering standard
processing and mounting, it may be worth noting that precision mounting of
pre-processed film is available from several folks on this list. 
 
Ron Labbe's Studio 3D, 30 Glendale St., Maynard, MA 01754
website http://www.studio3d.com  No phone listed.  According to the
website, they offer precision mounting in a variety of materials, from
cardboard foldovers at $.50 each to glassed metal-masked in binders at
$3.75 each. 

Studio 3D also offers slide duplication with available cropping, copying of
stereo cards to slides and stereo slides to cards, with a variety of
options therein.
$10.00 minimum order. Postage $3.50 min. (2nd day PRIORITY U.S. Mail)
Check the website for pricing and other details.

George Themelis (A.K.A. Dr T.) has said he "will be happy to mount a small
quantity of slides (10-20)in aluminum, glass and aluminum binder or RBT
mounts (I provide the supplies) for $5 each." He can be reached via this
mailing list or by email at DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Stereo Prints:

PhotoFair, PO Box 37, Hastings MN 55033, phone (612) 437-6290.  I spoke
with Jean.  They DO NOT DO SLIDES, but they will do separate right and left
PRINTS (3 1/2 x 3 1/2) from Realist-format negative film.  The charge is
$18.00 to develop and print a 24 exp. roll (18 pairs).  Reprints are also
$1.00/pair.  They also will print the outer pair from multi-lens lent.
cameras like Nimslo, Nishiki or Image Tech.  I think she said the price was
the same, but I didn't confirm this.

Photo Works, 4 S. Midland Ave., Joliet IL  60436, phone (815) 744-6700
>From their brochure:   "Realist-size (C-41) negative film developed and
printed to Holmes-size views -- you cut only one print and lap join."  12
exp. rolls (9 views): $6.17;  24 exp. rolls (18 views):  $10.49;  36 exp.
rolls (29 views):  $15.77   Add $2 postage per order.  1 day in lab
turn-around.  I spoke with Nancy.  They also do reprints for $0.35 each
($0.70/pair)

Grand Photo, 1681 Grand Ave., St. Paul MN  55105, phone (612)451-5828
offers much the same as Photo Fair, but will also do monolithic prints, 3
1/2 x 7.  Pricing for developing plus printing is $16.99 for separate r/l
and $22.50 for monolithic.  This for 24 exp. (18 pair).  36 exp. (27 pairs,
their numbers not mine) is $24.50 and $33.75 for monolithic.  Reprints are
$.95/pair split or $1.25/pair monolithic.

Grand Photo offers other many other print/reprint/duping options.  Call
Janet and ask for their information packet with all their services and
pricing listed.
  
..............................................

A search of the Photo-3D archives for any of the labs mentioned will likely
turn up some discussion, critique or complaint of their services. I haven't
personally evaluated the services of any of the above labs, but have sent a
few rolls out for mounting and am awaiting their return. 

For what it's worth, everyone I spoke with at the various labs was at least
conversationally familiar with stereo photography, and most seemed to be
fans as well. 

Hope this helps someone.   I would recommend calling first, before
submitting any film, to make sure they understand what you want and exactly
how to provide your film to them. For those with no phone numbers, enclose
a letter spelling out your request.



Bill Davis
mailto:bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



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