Who Do You Use ???

[Stemmy]

Just some general questions - Which suppliers do you use? - Are you happy with them? - Why do you use them?

[petekelk]

We have started using South West Photo Mounts, on the whole I think they are pretty good.

There's so little choice nowadays though!

[Stemmy]

Pete

Im assuming that is for your albums - overlays etc.

You are right about not many about. It used to be so easy for me there was a company called GPS (Gabriel Phot Supplies) right on my doorstep. If i ran out of stuff 30 mins later I was back to the grind.

They closed and I tried numerous new companies - all mail order. some offered good discount but the service was poor - and vice versa.

I am now really pleased with the place im with. The sales guy from GPS has gone to this company so im dealing with the same face.

I do 60 weddings a year so negotiated really good deal and free P&P.

Its called Photomax. They did eventually buy GPS outright so they trade as GPS as well. There is nothing worse than having an interuption in your supply - more agro you dont need.

I use loads of Spicer stuff and some Versatile albums as well.



PS I went to South West Photo Mounts website - not much there is there!!

[tonymidd]

I've stopped doing weddings now I'm semi-retired(that's a joke). I used Middlewall Albums of Crayford for the 'affordable' albums and Acerbonni for the upper market ones. Neither gave exceptional discounts but that did not matter as the profit I wanted was costed into the package and everyone else using them was in the same boat. Both give good service especially Middlewall.

For clients prints I still use 1st Cameras of Newcastle under Lyme, at their prices it's not worth switching the printer on!

The inkjet, an i9100, is used for proofing and my personal prints, paper used is 263gsm Konica from Photomarket, very good quality and again exceptional service. They also do a range of compatable cartridges branded as Ferrania, remember them?, which is part of 3M's. I've never had a problem with this combination and the prints seem to resist fading better than Canon inks. Order by 3.00 and it's on your doorstep next morning for a fiver. Min order is £50

Equipment, if being purchased new, Robert White is my first choice. Unlike many high street outlets they do know what they are talking about and local pro stockists are getting fewer. As hobbists change lenses etc like most of us change our socks I check e-bay for private sales. You can get some bargains, but sometimes some idiot will bid more than the RRP for a used item!

[Stemmy]

Talking a bout printers I have just got the Kodak Professional 1400 Dye Sub printer.

Straight out of the box - hooked it up to the laptop and the prints were out of this world.

On photographic paper (with Kodak copyright on back), laminated. Glossy finish but with finger print resistance.

I do quite a few "Society" doos. I used to take pictures, then take the money with names and addresses and have the agro of printing, posting etc. plus the added cost of postage, board back envelope etc. Doesnt sound much but when you are sending 150 prints at a time it adds up.

There are lots of Dye Sub printers out there but I went for this one as its designed for what I do most. Its print range is to a max of 12" by 8" which is great because I can do two 8" by 6"s together or one 10" by 8". Each print costs around £1.60.

I take one of the guys from my local lab and he sits at the laptop taking money and printing pictures. It works well.

[paulstmungo]

I use GF smith for all albums and overlays.

They are an excellent supplier and have a far better wedding album range than Spicer Hallfield,

The "Zodiac Album" sells itself, and accounts for around 70% of mty album sales.

Customer Service is Excellent too, they call when that say they Will and are pleasant on the phone.

I guess most people print wedding albums with 8x6 or 9x6 images, it may be of interest for others to note that at this size Spicer album leaves and overlays are transferrable to GF smith albums.

Go to Focus exhibition in Birmingham in late feb , and watch out for show discounts, if you are shrewd you can buy a years stock while there and save around 10%.

[storm7]

Spicer Halfield - via E wallbanks in Middleton - all stuff done online.

[Renee Marquis]

I have just started using Art Leather, here in the States. I really like this albums company.
www.artleather.com

[BarryM]

Not sure it counts

ALL printing done at photobox, weddings and portraits, turn around time is amazing, price is suitable and print quality is second to none in my opinion

[photo3]

GF Smith. Have had problems with orders - a better online service would be good so you can make sure 100% of the order before they send. Received parcel yesterday with wrong size mounts but credit to their customer service they've sent out correct ones today without quibble.
Also positive with their salesman for the south east - very helpful guy.

Andy
Kent Wedding Photography (http://www.the-kent-wedding-photographer.co.uk)

[Jimothy]

I use mainly Spicer's stuff. My supplier is Foto Source Ltd based in Wem Shropshire. Its as local as I could hope for and run by a couple of guys who really know what they're talking about.

[Stemmy]

I use mainly Spicer stuff also. Just ordered some of their new albums. really nice - the ones with the glass plaques.

They are doing some brilliand tiny albums one at £4 yes £4 and one at £6 really really good.

[esso]

Spicer hallfield also. (Through Calumet)

[Stemmy]

Used to use Calumet until they tried slapping me with a £6 delivery charge on each order. Moved to another company. Renegotiated terms - got 20% discount on all Spicer products and free delivery.

Cant tell you how many times Calumet have rang trying to get the busines back.

I ordered 115 albums from Spicer last year.

[esso]

Who did you move to Stemmy?

[Stemmy]

Company in Manchester called Photomax.

[BarryM]

I just provide prints although looking into providing albums etc.

[ziofabri]

for the traditional album I use Gemma (egon Fustemberg) and Acerboni.
for the wedding-album I use Gemma, both for the album and the print. For the normal print I use a digital priter Gretag, she it allows the print until 30x40 cm.

[Alan Schofield]

Wedding Albums =

Traditional = Middlewall
Storybook = Bookcrafts

Alan

[ziofabri]

Wedding Albums =

Traditional = Middlewall
Storybook = Bookcrafts

Alan

:thanks:

thanks

[mark-dubya]

GF Smith as well. They have come a long way over the years and are getting better all the time. The staff are first class, friendly and delivery is quick. Zodiac is a big seller for me also.

Not too sure about Photobox though. Turnaround may be good but I wouldnt sell my pro images on anything less than pro papers from a pro lab. I use Moorland imaging in Stoke. They are fantastic and I trust them with my life.

Just about to start using Jorgenssen albums......will let you know what I think

[Gadget]

I use an independent local retailer (Camera Box in Kettering) for everything. In fact I bought so much kit he is now back on the official supplier list for Canon. I go there because they understand the industry.
They arranged for the Manfrotto/Lowpro rep to meet with me and then handled the order. I also use Spicer for the limited amount of album and presentation material and again the retailer arranged for the rep to meet me.
We have a Jessops and a dixons in the town as well, I tell anyone who asks me about buying camera kit to go to the indpendent.
I think most people on here will agree that it comes down to quality of services and understanding of my requirment based on the type of work I do.
PS Q) what's the mating call of a Jessops sales assistant?
A) "I don't know but I can ask the manager"

[Alan W]

I'm new to this game and I have found choosing an album supplier as being one of the hardest things to do. My head was spinning at Focus 2006. But for this year I will use the new Middlewall Napoli 'minor' post bound for the budget end, looks very nice and like it should cost a lot more. Next step up is the Napoli book bound 'major' version. Can't stand any of the other Middlewall albums as they are all so old fashioned but for me, this one album was their saving grace. They are local to me so it is nice to pop in and get that personal service. I am going to offer story books next year and really like those by sim2000imaging, a 14" x 10" coffee table book with 8 keepsake books for around £450. They claim that these are being sold by photographers as a £1,500 package so there is quite a bit of profit in them (unless this is a sales pitch).

Up until now I have used Colorworld for printing and I can order online really quick as their software integrates between your PC and their server which speeds things up. They also have drag and drop templates for a lot of the major album suppliers and some of their own montages.

Cheaper and just as good quality is Photobox, but I don't like the way you have to upload everything onto their server before you can order. Large files take forever.

[Smee23]

Does nobody use Henzo?

[Petera]

Ive just begun using Loxley Colour for my printing

Had the first order back today (less than 24hrs !!)

I am so pleased !

Brillant service

Great prices

Perfect prints

[bladhassy]

For albums i use TAP and TOP FLIGHT....and for my processing i use AMERIACAN COLOR IMAGING in IA...i had a lab right here in Milwaukee(APOLLO)BUT THEY SHAFTED US FILM USERS AND CLOSED DOWN TO US AND JUST DO DIGITAL.....they did this with no notice to u...we showed up with our film on a monday and they said sorry no more film....we are digital......P on them ....my new lab is better and cheeper, even though they are ou of state.......thats where i get my materials from........wayne

[Photoness]

I buy my albums from Denis Wright and Spicer Hallfield.
I use 20 20 processing for digital and for medium format prints I use PRC colouring processing
Im looking to buy a new printer not sure which one to buy?

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

I have two printers her only one I would call near top of the range when purchased Brother Newtworking 3820 - it suited me as it has wireless connectivity to the other PCs/laptops in the house. Print quality for pictures is not good enough for an album but have not found a printer that can produce the same quality as labs at the same price, or lower.

Result is that i would not dream of doing any of my own photoprinting - send it to a lab as it is much cheaper and less time consuming.

Find a good lab and stick with them.

Not sure about albums as i am only now getting back into doing weddings since my medium format days when i generally did 8 x 8 prints and Jessops had a great range of stylish albums at about £35 per alabum - a lot of money then!

Glad to take advice on online printers and album makers and prices.

Thanks.

[lionhart]

Not sure it counts

ALL printing done at photobox, weddings and portraits, turn around time is amazing, price is suitable and print quality is second to none in my opinion

Sorry to say but I had some colour quality issues with Photobox and I only use them for B&W prints below 8x6.

I use Loxley for printing.

[george.monaghan]

Hi Lionhart,

Could you supply a link for Loxley please? cannot find it with a search.

Thanks.

Photobox B&W stuff is excellent. I use it for the Bowling clubs presidents etc.

[lostmysnorkel]

Photobox B&W stuff is excellent. I use it for the Bowling clubs presidents etc.

I use Loxley ROES for my album templates and Photobox for the loose prints.

When you order a B&W, do you do the conversion yourself, or upload the colour and get Photobox to convert for you?

[lionhart]

Hi Lionhart,

Could you supply a link for Loxley please? cannot find it with a search.

Thanks.

Photobox B&W stuff is excellent. I use it for the Bowling clubs presidents etc.

Yes no problem here you go.

http://www.loxleycolour.com/

[lionhart]

I use Loxley ROES for my album templates and Photobox for the loose prints.

When you order a B&W, do you do the conversion yourself, or upload the colour and get Photobox to convert for you?

No, you need to control it yourself, as the colour to B&W conversion may alter the density or contrast of the photo.

I convert using channel mixer, and I tend to go over the 100% levels of the RGB, as was mentioned in another thread.

[silvertipimages]

Used them for a number a years and found them very popular with the Brides. No longer doing weddings , for equip I use B&H out of New York. They have the gear are quick and will match prices with anyone.:dance2:

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

Anyone used/tried this: http://store.garyfonginc.com/gafodialdeso.html


Do you use any software that has this drag, drop, resize, collage simplicity in use?

[richingram]

I use South West Photo Mounts for the Jorgensen albums and South West Colour Labs for the prints to go in the albums. The website is not that good but I have spent lots of time on the phone talking to them about different options for the albums and they are very happy to talk and help out where possible.

I also use Colab for my individual prints and they are fanastic people too.

Rich

[Annie_W]

George, I use the Gary Fong software. It is great and you can use it with ANY album. iue Smiths Zodiac, and others,weaning myself of Jorgensen,and use some lovely magnet held albums from Memory Collections. I get booked because I am the only one in the area using these unusual and gorgeous albums. Most of my stuff I print myself, but need to lose my epson 4000 as I need the space after downsizing. otherwise I use Keynsham photographic in Bristol for prints.
Ann

There's a pleasure sure in being mad that none but madmen know. [Anon - I think]
























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[JohnRunciman]

I use Tony Sarlo in Italy for my magazine albums
Mario acerboni for A4 Portrait Sicky Album
Spicers for Avanta and Image books
and all thank you cards, slip in mounts etc
Ward Philipson for printing
but I have been trying out RGB labs at middlesbrough for printing and their quality is excellent.

[GlenJDiamond]

Try albumfactory - they give measurements of their "fun" album - it is at this link ALBUMFACTORY (http://www.albumfactory.co.uk/uk/produkte/softcover.php) 21cm x 27,5 cm per page, £32.80 and that includes postage to the UK.

in old money each page inside the coffeebook is approx 11 inches by a little over 8 inches (A4'ish)

To see my design prototype go here (http://www.professional-wedding-photographer-kent.co.uk/photobook.htm) (but that design is without text and without seeing the front of the coffeebook).

Albumfactory have a downloadable to produce the album. From experience I would take down the opacity of the internal pages to around 85 percent otherwise the ink will be too dark. I also use Photoshop, new document, set to 42cm x 27.5cm. I am then free to design a double page spread and set the crop tool to 21cm x 27.5cm that I use to save the left and right sides as separate jpegs. That way I can extend a picture across two pages or partially across two pages and design absolutely anything I want!! Then I import the left and right jpegs into the albumfactory double page design as a "background image". You do not need to use their templates. You should also squeeze your photoshop page content slightly inwards towards the middle of your 42cm composition to allow the middle of the pages to be sucked into the binding - otherwise you will end up with images that spread across two pages not quite looking right because you need to allow for the "bleeding" at the centre of the pages.

The outside of the "fun" book is hardback and can be one image (larger than 42cm) can;t remember the exact proportions, but again you should be careful to remember that the edges of the image will get tucked in so you have to allow for that by reducing your image or positioning it so that the important items are not at the edge. You can use either Photoshop or the Albumfactory executable to create text using your windows fonts. I guess that you can also use any other product like the Microsoft Office products, so long as you can save a 21x27.5 jpg you should be laughing.

Hope that makes sense. I have one prototype that I sent off and for £32.80 it is an amazingly good quality "coffee-book". I displayed it at a wedding fair and everyone who thumbed through it was delighted with the cost and the quality and the design flexibility. It does take a month from sending off online before the book arrives. There is plenty of scope to add more pages at £1 per double sided page - the absolute minimum is 30 sides (included in the £32.80 cost)... that means you have to design a front inside page and a back inside page, then 14 double spreads (which is more than enough for most weddings) although you could add another double spread by adding £1 at a time if necessary.

[Mr Tee]

I haven't done weddings for some time but used Spicer and Art Leather. At the time I had the choice of 3 suppliers withing 10 miles of me. If I wanted supplies now the nearest one is 50 miles away. Delivery is not a problem but it was always useful to have one close by if I needed something quickly.

For the Landscape prints I do now I use Loxley in Scotland http://www.loxleycolour.com/

They produce fantastic work. Upload images online and they deliver within 4 days.

[peterjones]

Smithy for albums and occasionally S/H high end albums
Multiprint for prints.

Hardware from WE

[visagephoto]

I use S/H albums (traditional range), however I'm considering switching to the Mario Acerboni (Milano range) for traditional albums, and possibly Graphis?? for digital. Although I might try the Bellisamo Digital albums from Loxley's first.

Alan

[steveathome]

I cant compare between labs as I only use the one, but will say I am very happy with quality and pricing that they provide

http://www.colab.com/