Costco in Langley, BC replacing RA4 printers with new RA4 equipment

MattKing · Jan 21, 2016

Some good news (from my perspective).

I was picking up a 12"x18" colour print from my sort of local Costco yesterday and was really concerned when I saw a sign that indicated that they would be shut down for two days while they replaced their printers with new, upgraded equipment.

I was relieved, however, when they indicated that the new equipment still used colour photographic paper.

They do a lot of prints there, and their quality is quite good, especially considering that their prices are so low ($6.99 CDN for a 12"x18" print).

They of course only print from digital files, and they use Fuji rather than Kodak paper, but I'm still happy to use their services.

Sirius Glass · Jan 21, 2016

Even though I am at least 1,000 US miles away, that is still good news to me!

David Brown · Jan 21, 2016

My local costco did the same about 6 months ago. I cannot buy paper and ink to print myself for what they charge.

BradleyK · Jan 21, 2016

Great news, Matt. I've never considered using Costco services to this point, because I shoot primarily E6 and black and white, sending the former to Dwayne's (35mm) or to The Lab (120), and souping (most of the time) the latter myself. However, since I have a Costco close at hand (just off Lougheed - a couple of kilometers from my doorstep), and the prices are very reasonable, I may give them a go; their prices look like a cost-effective way to decorate my rather bare walls.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 21, 2016

MattKing said:
Some good news (from my perspective).

I was picking up a 12"x18" colour print from my sort of local Costco yesterday and was really concerned when I saw a sign that indicated that they would be shut down for two days while they replaced their printers with new, upgraded equipment.

I was relieved, however, when they indicated that the new equipment still used colour photographic paper.

They do a lot of prints there, and their quality is quite good, especially considering that their prices are so low ($6.99 CDN for a 12"x18" print).

They of course only print from digital files, and they use Fuji rather than Kodak paper, but I'm still happy to use their services.

Good price for a 12x18" print if it is straight-through from digi files there is lots of competition for the print dollar here at retail level in Australia. But at a professional level things get very, very serious. I pay AUD$86.00 for the same RA-4 size (on Kodak Endura Professional Metallic) A-to-D RA-4/colourimetrics and processing). Yesterday I collected two 20x27" ($400). There is a Costco 75km from here but I've never been in there. Each time I see it from the window of my train home, there is a long line of cars waiting to get in. Apparently I would have to pay $60 a year just to get past the front gate. We've also noted they are entering the discount petrol (gas to you!) scene, giving the other two existing duopoly players are decent run for their money. Bring it on.

Sirius Glass · Jan 21, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Good price for a 12x18" print if it is straight-through from digi files there is lots of competition for the print dollar here at retail level in Australia. But at a professional level things get very, very serious. I pay AUD$86.00 for the same RA-4 size (on Kodak Endura Professional Metallic) A-to-D RA-4/colourimetrics and processing). Yesterday I collected two 20x27" ($400). There is a Costco 75km from here but I've never been in there. Each time I see it from the window of my train home, there is a long line of cars waiting to get in. Apparently I would have to pay $60 a year just to get past the front gate. We've also noted they are entering the discount petrol (gas to you!) scene, giving the other two existing duopoly players are decent run for their money. Bring it on.

In the US one can order prints at Costco over the internet and have the prints shipped if I remember correctly. One email or telephone call could answer if this is possible for you in your country.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 21, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
In the US one can order prints at Costco over the internet and have the prints shipped if I remember correctly. One email or telephone call could answer if this is possible for you in your country.

I have landed on their website and I must say how relatively threadbear it is in terms of information — not even a phone number! Nothing about printing etc, and yes I'd have to join with a fee. I note there are 6 stores in Australia as opposed to many, many more in the US and Canada. Well, much bigger markets... They've been in the news here a couple of nights ago about the discount fuel thing and it caused a stir. We're now under a dollar a litre here for rocket fuel he first time in a long, long time.

MattKing · Jan 21, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
I have landed on their website and I must say how relatively threadbear it is in terms of information not even a phone number! Nothing about printing etc, and yes I'd have to join with a fee. I note there are 6 stores in Australia as opposed to many, many more in the US and Canada. Well, much bigger markets... They've been in the news here a couple of nights ago about the discount fuel thing and it caused a stir. We're now under a dollar a litre here for rocket fuel he first time in a long, long time.

The Costco membership here easily pays for itself if you buy certain products - toilet paper comes to mind.

I can get the same size print from ABC Photocolour here on Kodak Endura in a "machine print" for $14.95 CDN.

And an 11x17 from ABC Photocolour here on Kodak Endura in a "Lightjet Print" for $29.00 CDN for Matte or Gloss and $39.00 CDN for Metallic.

But most impressively ABC Photocolour will do an 11x16 custom colour print from a C41 negative for $21.00 CDN. They will also do salon and specialty printing for prices similar to the Lightjet costs.

cmacd123 · Jan 21, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Apparently I would have to pay $60 a year just to get past the front gate. We've also noted they are entering the discount petrol (gas to you!) scene, giving the other two existing duopoly players are decent run for their money. Bring it on.

Costco does have a membership to get in, but They used to offer some ways to see the place first. If you have a friend who is a member, the friend used to be able to brig you in as a guest. Costco has the basic MO of offering good quality stuff, but in BIG packages. for a highly competitive price. I actually let my membership lapse because I was buying a months worth of food at a time. the stores look like a big warehouse with the goods on Pallets, but they always have some unusual items which only show up for a week - appliances - televisions - D***al Cameras, etc.

worth dropping by the membership desk and see if they still have a guess pass system for your first visit.

Sirius Glass · Jan 21, 2016

I save that in using their gas stations alone in a short time.

Wayne · Jan 21, 2016

MattKing said:
I was relieved, however, when they indicated that the new equipment still used colour photographic paper.

And you take this to mean it's RA-4? I guess I don't see that, at least in the way you chose to phrase it. I don't digiprint images, but don't they call inkjet paper "photo paper" too? Pretty sure they do.

Sirius Glass · Jan 21, 2016

Yes they use a RA4 process. Real chemical prints not that stink-jet excrement.

MattKing · Jan 21, 2016

Wayne said:
And you take this to mean it's RA-4? I guess I don't see that, at least in the way you chose to phrase it. I don't digiprint images, but don't they call inkjet paper "photo paper" too? Pretty sure they do.

Sorry about the shorthand.

"Colour photographic paper" was my phrase, and is the phrase which I use to indicate light sensitive paper that is developed in RA4 (or equivalent) chemistry.

I believe many others use that phrase as well.

The fact that "colour" and "photographic" are both in the phrase tends to distinguish it from inkjet paper.

More importantly, the person I talked to was less knowledgeable about terms like RA4, but was clear that they were going to be using exactly the same colour paper (Fujicolor Crystal Archive according to the back print) as they were currently using - the paper used to make the 12x18 print that I had ordered over the internet the afternoon before and was ready for pickup within about an hour and 40 minutes.

I've posted the image here before, but here it is again, in all of its mixed light source glory . The Costco print is quite faithful to the original transparency, despite the intervention of my lousy scanning skills.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 22, 2016

It does look like a very nice print with a lovelly split-grade of lighting (background/foreground), but what catches me is the composition and the ability of the photograph to arouse an connective-emotional response. We can almost reach out and shake the hand of the fishmonger (assuming that's what she is?), even start a conversation with her (and she has that sort of look that suggests she's listening intently to what is being said). The stylish, balancing flourish of her billowing, silver-grey mane is an added bonus. All up, a beaut photo to look at.

MattKing · Jan 22, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
It does look like a very nice print with a lovelly split-grade of lighting (background/foreground), but what catches me is the composition and the ability of the photograph to arouse an connective-emotional response. We can almost reach out and shake the hand of the fishmonger (assuming that's what she is?), even start a conversation with her (and she has that sort of look that suggests she's listening intently to what is being said). The stylish, balancing flourish of her billowing, silver-grey mane is an added bonus. All up, a beaut photo to look at.

Ah shucks, thanks.

And from someone whose screen name translates to "Fish of the Day" too!

The scene is actually on the deck of a large fish boat, and she is one of the owners and crew.

You can see the side of the boat here - I was standing where the out of focus person is standing:

destroya · Jan 22, 2016

not sure about other states or countries, but in California you do not need a membership to buy alcohol there. some sort of ATF law or something.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 22, 2016

MattKing said:
Ah shucks, thanks.

And from someone whose screen name translates to "Fish of the Day" too!

The scene is actually on the deck of a large fish boat, and she is one of the owners and crew.

You can see the side of the boat here - I was standing where the out of focus person is standing:

Poisson du jour est bleu Grenadier aujourd'hui. Miam.

(˙ɯn⅄ ˙ʎɐpoʇ ɹǝᴉpɐuǝɹƃ ǝnlq sᴉ ʎɐp ǝɥʇ ɟo ɥsᴉɟ)

skorpiius · Jan 22, 2016

destroya said:
not sure about other states or countries, but in California you do not need a membership to buy alcohol there. some sort of ATF law or something.

Same with Canada, or at least here in Calgary. The Costco liquor store next to the main store does not require a membership. Best deal in town, if you don't mind the limited selection.

tokam · Jan 22, 2016

I use the Costco in Auburn, Sydney about 4 or 5 times a year for various bulk purchases. No petrol at this outlet. I haven't noticed a film processing desk and haven't asked about it. On each visit you are allowed one guest who can make purchases and Costco will prepare separate bill for you and your guest.

fotch · Jan 23, 2016

Not sure I understand all the excitement. I called Costco and was told it is not a chemical process. Sounds to me to be like any Walmart or Walgreen.

Sirius Glass · Jan 23, 2016

I have had many prints made at Costco and they are all photochemical prints not stink-jet.

MattKing · Jan 24, 2016

fotch said:
Not sure I understand all the excitement. I called Costco and was told it is not a chemical process. Sounds to me to be like any Walmart or Walgreen.

Costco here do also offer ink jet poster and photo book prints.

But their main printers use what I refer to as "real" colour photographic paper.

There may, however, be variations in other jurisdictions.

wblynch · Jan 31, 2016

Just ask if it's a dry lab or wet lab. The dry lab is some sort of dye transfer and wet is traditional RA-4

blaine.minazzi · Jan 31, 2016

If you got D***** files - and need some prints, I found its hard to beat for the price. Or even twice the price.
A number of years ago when they still processed film, you could get processing, scans, and prints for way cheap, I used to have then made straight to 5x7 for what others wanted for 4x6. And the scans were pretty good too. Shame they do not process film anymore.

I was looking at a neg I had scanned there 4 years ago - and I had some larger prints made, all were above average in my estimation. Just like any other place, its the equipment operators that can make the most difference. Their equipment seems just fine, and if the operators are well trained, their prices are hard to beat for the quality delivered.

When considering some of the items we normally get there - paper towels, toilet paper, gasoline, Milk, and a dozen other items, we save the membership costs easily. Larger quantities dont scare us. We have 4 kids still at home, 3 eating like teenagers.....

Blaine

DREW WILEY · Feb 2, 2016

Here Costco offers both types. But that doesn't affect me one way or another. I print my own work.

Costco in Langley, BC replacing RA4 printers with new RA4 equipment

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