Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/18

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Subject: Re: Processing equip breaking
From: "Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 13:00:35 -0500

I read with interest the stories of processing failures in labs all over.
Since I retired, I have what can only be described as a "pie job". I get to
work in a photofinishing lab of a large photo chain- I guess I should not
give them a plug, but we have over 300 stores!
I love it, but like Br'er Rabbit, and the briar patch, I keep quiet and they
actually pay me to work there!
In over four years of processing, even though I just work weekends, I have
done thousands of rolls, and lost only one because the tape on the leader
failed- and that regretably was my fault.
I can say with some assurance that any lab worth its salt is going to test
equipment and chemicals BEFORE running any customer film. We run QC checks
each morning, and if things are not right, or out of limits, we make
corrections, and monitor that day's work closely. For example, Sunday I had
a drop in density in the print processor due to low volume; I made the
corrections, and actually ran four controls strips that afternoon to make
sure things were working properly ( they were!).
I cannot imagine anyone not taking the utmost care in doing anyone's film
since most, if not all are totally irreplacable, and even if you can
reshoot, for a pro, that can be expensive. I would definitely find a new
lab!