What do I look for in a lab consistency meaning good exposure and color, no wrinkles in the print of areas of off color from dirty jets. If you find a good lab, use them, develop a relationship w/ the print tech, talk to them and let them know what you want and how. If you have something interesting and a challenge, most will go for it. Chuck get a digital camera. You are busy but a 5 minute session at work w/ an image will give you a break from the job. I am a true film lover and said I'd never want to spend so much time at a computer ,wellllllllllllllllllllllll, I love digital and don't mind doing the adjustments. Having to fix 400, 500, or 600 files is a drag but it would be the same thing w/ film and the results would not be as good. If anything, get a DSLR that uses the same group of lenses so if you move up to a better model, you have the lenses, do it in steps. My favorite all purpose general camera is the Nikon D80 w/ the 18-135mm zoom but it's about $1600 w/o cards or spare/2nd battery. Then you want the SB-400 flash and an electronic release cord and then ........... DO IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!! and this is coming from a film guy. BTW I still shot lots of film though in 4X5 and 8X10 formats, maybe a roll of slide film a month. 'The times they're a 'changin'. aloha Rob