Anybody use Ritz to print pics?

jbswear

I don't have a printer for creating photos, and don't have the financial means to purchase one that will create the quality that I want. I have memory sticks and the CF cards that I can carry to a print shop, but am interested in using on-line services to upload and print my shots.

I'm new to dSLR shooting, and completely new to the 28meg TIFF files that my RAW shots convert into. Since I started in digital with my CoolPix 995 several years ago, I've always been a firm believer in sacrificing card space for quality, for you never know when that 'one' shot is a keeper, but you accidentally took it at high compression, and can't print a decent picture because of it.

Having said that, my experience with printing has always been to carry my CF card or a CD to the Kodak kiosk at the local Wally World.

I work at a mall, and just a short hop down the hall is a Ritz Camera shop. Would it be easier to just carry a memory stick there and have them print from that or is uploading them a viable option? I'm running a cable modem, so large files aren't a problem on my end. I don't want to sacrifice resolution for convenience, so if I'll get better shots by carrying in the mem stick, I'll do that.

Anybody got any experience with this or any advice for me?

Thanks,
Brad

StevenV

Yea, down here ritzpix.com sends 'em to Wolf camera - another member of the same net of companies. I use 'em when I need something now and customers can't wait for the (usually quick) print & ship from SmugMug/EZPrint. I know the folks at my store pretty well and their machine's fairly reliable (and there are two other stores nearby when it's down). the RitzPix upload interface just changed recently, it used to be easier, and you didn't have to register, but the current version works ok I guess.

Whereabouts in MD you at?

jbswear

StevenV wrote:

Yea, down here ritzpix.com sends 'em to Wolf camera - another member of the same net of companies. I use 'em when I need something now and customers can't wait for the (usually quick) print & ship from SmugMug/EZPrint. I know the folks at my store pretty well and their machine's fairly reliable (and there are two other stores nearby when it's down). the RitzPix upload interface just changed recently, it used to be easier, and you didn't have to register, but the current version works ok I guess.

Whereabouts in MD you at?

I live in Crownsville, which is about 7 miles from Annapolis.

Maybe I should check out SmugMug. I've seen hints of it here and there, but haven't looked into it. Thanks for reminding me! How's the print quality/turn around time from SmugMug?

Brad

StevenV

I'm from Columbia myself, though I'm living ~600 miles southward these days.

jbswear wrote:

Maybe I should check out SmugMug. I've seen hints of it here and there, but haven't looked into it. Thanks for reminding me! How's the print quality/turn around time from SmugMug?

Um, yea. Smugmug. You may have heard of them here. Check the logo in the upper-right hand corner of these forums Print quality is great, better than anyplace else I've used, and turnaround's pretty good. I usually get prints in 3-4 days.

(When I said I use the Ritzpix/Wolf for 'quick' orders, it's because I can stop by and pick them up 60-90 minutes after I order 'em.)

Phyxius

I live in Calvert and I usually stop in to the Annapolis Ritz if I'm in a hurry for prints too. I know a few of the sales associates there pretty well.

I also work in Bowie and while they're okay, I'd stick with Annapolis (not to mention it's much closer to you).

However, if you have the time (just a couple days) Smugmug does a great job and gets prints out within a week.

I tried uploading prints to Ritz one time and I can't remember why but there was some reason that I ended up not doing it. Can't remember now. But, if you have a bunch to print up Ritz does offer discounts on bulk orders with a Ritz Member's card. You also earn points on purchases which can be used for free prints or money off. I buy cameras and lenses there too so I get LOTS of rewards points

DoctorIt

Results at your local Ritz will vary. I know our local Ritz prints in house. They do an OK job if I spend a few minutes making sure they don't color correct, but I only use them if I need 1 or 2 prints immediately. For all else, I order from Smugmug where I know the quality is unmatched.

Scott_Quier

DoctorIt wrote:

For all else, I order from Smugmug where I know the quality is unmatched.

And the service and guarantee can't be beat.