Negatives and Slides? Do They Still Exist?

Do people still print photos from negatives and slides? I know it sounds out of date, vintage and not worth the trouble. Although very few people still use film cameras there are still negatives and slides in boxes ready to be discovered. Every week we have customers bring us vintage negatives, either from their 35 mm film, or negatives from the 1940’s and have us reprint their families memories.

Hamilton Color Lab can make wonderful prints from negatives and the color from slide prints are authentic and amazing in their clarity and color. We still print on silver halide Fuji Lustre paper, which is a true photography process, for the best results, and our technician is a perfectionist when it comes to getting the best results from your prints.

Your family memories stay in house, we do not ship them out to an off site lab across the country. So you can be assured your family treasures will be safe and handled with care.

To our knowledge,  we are the only photo “wet” processing lab in Omaha that still prints photographs on traditional silver halide paper. This is the same type of paper and RA4 silver based photo processing used for over a hundred years to print your grandparents photos. Many other area photo printers have gone to a dry ink process. Based on what we have seen, and the customers coming in the door, many are not happy.

There is a reason why professional photographers get their clients photographs printed using the traditional wet chemistry. Prints are sharper, last longer, more durable, and are water resistant.

We can print the following negative sizes and prints, from most medium format cameras, including the 110/220 camera with photographic results that will last for many more generations.

• 6×4.5cm  (or 645 film)
• 6×6 cm (2.25 x 2.25 inches)
• 6×9 cm  (2.25 ” x 3.25inches)
• 6×7  cm (typically called 2×3″ film)
• 135F (24 x 36 mm)
• Standard 35mm

Think of it this way. You have found a valuable treasure in vintage negatives, you want to save these prints for your children and their children to preserve family history. Wouldn’t you want to print them on the best paper to preserve them as best as possible?

Related articles

• Photo Archiving, A Better Solution (hamiltoncolor.wordpress.com)
• Guide to Medium and Large Format Film (http://www.kenrockwell.com)
• Why Use Silver Halide Paper (http://1000words.kodak.com/)

What Does it Cost to Print Professionally

With digital photography people are printing fewer and few images and the photos they print are the best representative of their memories. It would make sense to print these photos at the highest quality to last for generations. Professional photographers know the benefit of using a professional color lab to print wedding, infant and senior photos, but professional photo printing is not just available to professional photographers.

Hamilton Color Lab in Omaha Nebraska welcomes not only professional photographers but serious amateurs, camera hobbyist, and people who just want great photo prints.  The difference in a professional print vs. a 1-hour photo is clear: heavier paper, true silver halide paper (not dry ink), increased clarity, sharper details, improved color and a professional Lustre photo paper, not the obnoxious glossy finish.

The concept of a photo lab may seem archaic, even vintage like the car below in this day of one hour printing and instant gratification, but it’s worth your time to search out such a business. In Omaha we are located at 120th & I St in Sports Plaza and we believe in personal service.  We help you through every step and will load your photos and inspect the files for any potential errors before you leave.

Hamilton Color Lab with Customers Model A Ford parked in front

Many people think it will cost and arm and a leg to print your photographs at a professional color lab. But it doesn’t. You can get the same quality paper, the same resolution and color management professional photographers receive for just a little more than your discount “one hour” printer at the corner store.

Maybe you purchased a professional digital package for your wedding or senior pictures. Your photographer put a lot of time, expertise, and spent a lot of money on her camera and lenses to capture you and your day in the best light possible. Now do you really want to take these to Walmart or Walgreens to get printed?

Rounded corner die cut wallets

Discount stores use discount paper, discount inks, and the cheapest methods possible to print photographs. Although some of the technicians may be trained in photo editing, most are not and cannot help you with even the basic questions. Most of the time you are placed at a photo kiosk and left on your own to figure out why the 8×10 version of your photo crops off your child’s head.

General Price Sheet

At Hamilton Color Lab you get personalized service, it’s painless and easy. Senior Mom’s walk out with a sigh of relief and in a fraction of the time that the previous trip to Walgreens.

Our prices are reasonable and we are the only location in Omaha (could be in all of Nebraska) that prints professional wallets with the rounded corners. Below is just a short flyer on our retail prices and when you want your photos and memories to last a life-time print them at a professional lab. We have the best prices in Omaha for true senior wallets.

For a more complete retail price list including quantity discounts, mounting, and canvas pricing download our customer retail price sheet.

If live outside of Omaha we can mail your order directly to your home anywhere in the country. If you are a professional photographer either in the Greater Omaha area we welcome you to stop by and take a look at our samples and services.

Professional portrait photographers do receive additional discounts and all we require is a State sales tax ID form to set up your account.

Graduation Announcement, Magazine Cover Style

Welcome to Senior year 2013. We have some fresh new designs for graduation announcements this year including this glamor magazine style cover for your graduating senior. This design is available in either a 5×7 announcement or as an 8×10 print to put on the senior table during the party or print as a gift.

Text can be customized for your graduate, including color and all our announcements come with envelopes in both the 5×7 and 4×8 size. Stop by Hamilton Color Lab in Omaha Nebraska for all your senior printing needs and personal service. We make printing your senior photos easy and painless.

Senior photo announcements are the highest quality printing available. While the “bargin” printers offer rock bottom pricing their quality shows in less than quality printing on less than quality paper. Hamilton’s announcements are true professional photographs on professional Fuji paper with calibrated color correction  that will last for generations. Why wouldn’t you want the best for this once in a lifetime event. Your professional photos deserve professional printing.

Hamilton Color Lab is located at 120th & I St in Sports Plaza. We are a professional color lab and welcome professional photographers and serious amateurs. When you want professional digital prints with  professional  service and paper we are the printer for you. Walk-ins are welcome.