Fuji Article Focused on Perceived Bias Rather Than Photo Community’s Needs

Regarding the Jan. 22 story, “Fuji Gets the Picture--It Won’t Open Photo Lab”:

As the owners of a professional processing lab, we wish to express our disappointment that Fuji has postponed the opening of its photo lab in Hollywood. We have dealt with Fuji for four years and have found their technical support to be prompt and thorough. For Fuji to invest the money and technical expertise needed to operate a research facility and photo lab would benefit not only Fuji, but also independent labs and the professional photographic community at large.

The implication in the article that the photo lab would be unfair competition is silly at best. Our understanding is that any outside processing done at the photo lab would cost considerably more and take longer than at any independent lab in the area. How, then, would Fuji “steal” a significant market share by offering slower turnaround and higher prices?

As long as Fuji film is sold in this market, and as long as independent labs are presented Fuji film for quality processing, it is in the best interest of everyone in professional photography to have in our midst access to the most current and most complete information about Fuji products. This article, rather than exploring these issues, dealt more with perceived prejudice and racism and seemed to serve the owners of A&I; Color Laboratory but not their professional clientele.

Perhaps the owners of A&I; have some doubts about their ability to compete with the high standards that Fuji is trying to achieve. We are disappointed that the Fuji lab is on hold. We hope that this is only a temporary situation, and we will continue our close relationship with Fuji.

JOSEPH L. LOTZ

RONALD A. ROSENBERG

Los Angeles

The writers own CYM Color Lab of Los Angeles.