Never go to Arbor Photo Lab – Poor Quality
The place charges high prices for very poor quality. As a professional, I wouldn’t go there even if they lowered their prices.
Words fail me when describing the disappointment from developing prints at Arbor Photo Lab. Atrocious, ugly and incompetent are just a few that come to my mind. Never before have I come across such poor quality.
But it’s all my fault, I was too desperate to obtain prints to show a potential client, and couldn’t wait for shipping from tried-and-tested online print labs such as Mpix and American Color Imaging. To make things worse, Arbor Photo Lab was charging high rates ($4+ for a 8×12 print, more than Mpix and less than ACI). As a new establishment, its high prices are even more unjustified considering the quality. At least ACI does a good job.
Look at the comparison above. The colors are all muted, as though unsaturated. And the exposure has just gone to whack. There’s no way I can show this to clients. Mind you, this wasn’t the only print. There are about 4-5 others but this was the worst of them.
On the only bright note, my wasted $30 can serve as a red flag to all those thinking of going to Arbor Photo Lab for prints. Save yourself the trouble. Never will I step foot inside the store again.
ugh. i feel your pain. i have had mostly good luck with Foto 1 (now Paragon Display I think). they are plus/minus depending on the day, but much more plus days than minus days.
Yeah I think Foto1 is pretty decent (been there once to develop color slides for my old photography class in Michigan). Also just recommended it to my friend who was looking for a place to develop 120 film (used in lomography). Hope it turns out well!