I have two digital cameras that take excellent pictures. When I print them off my computer the picture quality is great.I took over 200 on my last trip and did not want to print that many so to save time I took the cards to the WalMart picture machine.The picture quality was terrible.The color was terrible and you could see the pixel dots which distorted the pictures.I tried to do a few over using the "imaging" icon on the machine where you can change the contrast, lightness, color, etc. but no real improvement, in fact some were worse.Should I have taken the cards to a camera shop instead or is there some knowledge I am missing on developing these on a machine?

I too, was disappointed with Wal-mart but had better luck with my local Walgreens pharmacy where the store just started offering onsite Digital processing. I suppose its because its all new equiptment. Don't know if you have that chain in your neck of the woods.

My daughter had a few printed at Walmart and I didn't think they were that great either. I have been uploading mine to Costco's Kodak picture center on their website. They then print them as lab quality prints and mail them to me. They are outstanding!

If you have a reasonable printer, download the Kodak Easyshare software from the Kodak site and print your photos with that, it does a great job. You must use photo quality paper and download your printer driver upgrade from the Kodak site to get the best quality. And what is great about it, is it is FREE!!! I have been using this software for a couple of years now.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I don't have a Costco or Walgreen's near me unfortunately but I wish I did. Guy, great idea!!! I will try to download the site today!!! Thanks much, Khchristianhna

Do you have Costco where your at? We've had good results from them in the past.

There are two major sources of these machines that print from flash memory devices: Fuji and Kodak. Both work well.

Unfortunately, the store service personel do not always keep the machines "in tune" or refresh chemicals when they should.

If there is another Walmart in your area, try them: maybe they keep their machine adjusted and with uptodate chemicals.

Your camera shop uses the same kind of machine. Try Rite-Aid or some other chain pharmacy.

Glenn

Glenn . . . are the prints from the kiosks archival quality? Are they going to hold up well for many years without fading, etc.? I thought the pictures I uploaded to Costco's website and had mailed back were just fantastic. They were every bit as good or better than the 35mm prints I used to take with my Olympus.

RaroGirl:

The prints from these machines are chemical prints like those you used to get from 35mm film and unlike those you print at home.

Archival quality has different meaning to different folks. These will last as long as your 35mm prints from the drug store under the same conditions.

Glenn
www.pbase.com/gsrunyan

My daughter just got a new Konica digital camera and also was very disappointed with the quality of the prints off of these machines. The camera store reccommended that she shoot her pictures at a higher quality level and the problem was solved.

As mentioned by Glen, each store's maintenance directly affects the results. I might also add that the Fuji machine in Walmart here in CT produces matte finish only, and the same Fuji machine in Walgreen's produces glossy finish only - so ask prior to processing if you have a preferrence.

quote:

Originally posted by gsrunyan:
[qb] RaroGirl:

The prints from these machines are chemical prints like those you used to get from 35mm film and unlike those you print at home.
[/qb]

Sorry - only just noticed this thread .

The pics you get from digital photo booths such as the Kodak self-service booths are printed using a thermal dye sublimation printer; it's not a "chemical" process such as is used to print from traditional film.

Dye sub prints are excellent quality - they don't smudge, are (pretty much) water resistant, and don't fade (much) with light. Should last pretty much indefinitely behind glass or in a photo album.

Regards,

Chris

So I would assume that dye sub prints are superior to a regular home photo printer but perhaps slightly inferior to professional lab prints?

They're far superior to the results you'll get from an inkjet printer. I wouldn't say they're inferior to the prints you'll get from a photo lab - it's simply a different printing process.

Regards,

Chris