If you consistently see light streaks in your negatives you should
consider that maybe it's the camera. We users of old film gear have to
be vigilant for light seals breaking down as they do need to be replaced
from time to time. Fortunately, it's an easy do it yourself job. If
you need new seals you can't do better than buying from Jon Goodman who
sells on ebay as "interslice". You get a custom cut set of seals and
installation instructions. If he doesn't happen to have what you need
listed at the moment then pick an auction and send him a message telling
him what you want.

If your camera really is OK then, as the cheapest alternative, I'd
suggest your local Wal-Mart if you have one. You can get developing and
a CD with 2MP scans and index print for under $5. You can then pick
only those frames you'd like printed back at the store or print them
yourself if you have a good photo printer. I've never had any problems
with developing or the CD. My recollection is that the prints are a bit
saturated but I haven't had any prints done there for a long time since
I normally just do developing with a CD. The 2 MP scans are good for up
to 5x7 and if I see something I'd like larger I'll scan it myself. But
you can return the film to Wal-Mart. If you want a large print they'll
rescan at higher resolution to make that particular print.

For professional quality developing and prints from film up to 5x7 you
can try Mpix <http://mpix.com/Product.aspx/film>
You sign up for an account and request mailers. They develop the film
at 19 cents per exposure and post the scans online in "albums" under
your account. You review and decide to print any or none if you like.
CDs are expensive if you want them but they don't just dump everything
from one roll onto a CD. You can build the CD from individual images
that you select from your albums and can delay cutting the CD until you
have enough to fill it. I use Mpix for prints of any size from my own
digital images but I would not use Mpix for anything beyond 5x7 from
film as they return your negatives right away and print from the scans
which are only 2 MP.

For truly professional, full service processing you can try North Coast
Photographic Services in Carlsbad, CA. <http://www.northcoastphoto.com/>
They do up to 8x10 sheet film in color and B&W. They also do medium and
high resolution scanning at reasonable prices.
<http://www.northcoastphoto.com/film_developing_scans.html>

Chuck Norcutt


Stephen wrote:
> I soon learned that the local one hour places did a horrible job.
> The local photoshop send my 35mm and Medium format film to some
> "better lab" down the road. But I'm still seeing a lot of developing
> issues in the final product.
>
> Can you guys tell me who you go to for developing? Is there some
> place that I can mail the stuff to myself that does a great job
> developing?
>
> I'm tired of having to do things like crop off the edge off say,
> every 4th negative because of some strange light leaks or streaking
> of some sort in the developing process.