I am interested in purchasing a digital camera to replace my old 35mm camera. My question is once I capture my pictures on the digital camera can a professional photo shop take the images and develop them like my old 35mm photos? And can the quality of the digital cameras images match 35mm prints?

Thanks rhino@jungle.net

-- Keith Janowitz (rhino@jungle.net), June 26, 1999

Answers

As to whether the quality is as good as 35mm from a 2MP or better camera that's a subjective matter. I'd say it's better in most cases than drug store processed "35mm point and shoot" photos at the very least! Frankly, the printed images are nice, but I like them even better viewed on the computer. It's hard to beat a transmissive medium with a reflective medium like printed material for brightness and you certainly can't tweak a printed image. Although, you can tweak 'em pretty nicely before you print them. Much harder to do with a 35mm camera! :-)

Some photo shops are getting newer equipment that can make "prints" from digital photos. Kodak has booths in drugstores and whatnot that can take digital images and place them on CD or print them.

Actually, you can do a *VERY* good job yourself with a good inkjet printer connected to your PC printing on inkjet photo paper. The Epson 1200 & 750 seem to be the two most raved about models of late. Many people think that images printed with the new Epsons and Lexmark printers look as good as 35mm prints. You can also do your own 8x10" or larger enlargements thereby saving a good deal of cash in the long run.

Take a look at some of the raving in the forum about Epson image quality.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@francorp.francomm.com), June 26, 1999.

Hi Keith You can send jpeg files over the net and get regular processed photos from them for about 50 cents each, but 8x10s will be $4 up each . You really need a good computer to save them and look at them as a slide show, because you will take a lot more pics. Once you have the equipment, there is no further cost unless you want a print. I have an Oly 400z which is a good point and shoot camera. some pics at http://members1.clubphoto.com/kenneth29553/ Ken

-- Kenneth Irelan (kirelan@ticz.com), June 26, 1999.

If I understand your question correctly Keith, my answer is no. Your 35mm camera can easily outperform most digitals in versatility, cost and practicallity. At this point most photo labs you might encounter wouldn't know how to handle a consumer with a digital camera...or if they did, you wouldn't pay the price they ask.

As for quality, the better digital cameras ($4-600.00)can produce 4x6 prints that are almost or equal to film cameras (with the right printer) and some of the latest ones under $1000.00 can just about do 8x10 prints. But so can any $60.00 "regular" camera.

If you're looking for the simplicity of the "old way"... shoot-drop off and pay for prints, this ain't gonna happen in the digital photo area for at least 4-6 years.

Bob M.

-- Bob M. (bmarcy@sympatico.ca), July 01, 1999.