Bob,

  Welcome to the group.

  Best advise, use the same pro lab your friend does.  If you need names,
pick up a _Shutterbug_ magazine at your local book store and look for one
near you in the advertising section.  The rest of the magazine will have
interesting info so it won't be just for the ad.

  I would stay away from WalMart or any of the consumer/high volume
processing points.  If the pictures you took are valuable to you, don't
skimp on processing.  It's the one thing that will break all your shots in
one fell swoop.  A chunk of dirt in the film path and you'll have a scratch
down every slide.  Chemistry at the end of it's replenishment cycle and
dingy colors.  Not that it can't happen in a pro lab, just, if it happens 1
in 100,000 rolls, the lower volume means you have a better chance it not
happening to you.  Pro lab operators are normally better qualified and
trained in their job.  That changes the odds in your favor as well.

  If you are intending on getting them made into prints, ask (or look for)
the lab doing your processing if they offer a scanning service as well.  You
may opt to get them all scanned, or review them and scan just those you
want.  Some better labs will send you scanned, thumbnail, low res 'proofs'
via E-Mail to make your choices.  It really is 'you get what you paid for'.

Jim

Use A&I photo. You can buy processing envelopes from them online and
mail the film to them. http://aandi.com

mailto:katz1@ptd.net posted:
"... I know a pro wildlife photographer who uses a small lab somewhere in the west for his
slides.
..."

Probably A&I in Hollywood or The NewLab in San Francisco.

http://aandi.com/
http://www.newlab.com/

I don't have any experience with The NewLab ... but George Lepp (Outdoor Photography
magazine) has used them. A&I however is consistently one of the best labs available.

Other posters have posted
"...    I would stay away from WalMart or any of the consumer/high volume processing
points.  ..." That is VERY good advice ... and that specifically *includes* your local
camera store(s), particularly if they are chains such as "Ritz" or "Wolfe."

For a write-up (somewhat optimistic) of some of the various labs doing E6 processing ...
see
http://web.mit.edu/cai/www/photo/labs.html
http://www.photo.net/neighbor/one-subcategory?id=5&by_date_p=t

Note that Fuji's lab in Phoenix has very mixed reviews ... having treated some customers
very well, and totally pissing of others by scratching, losing, or ruining their film! I'd
"pass" on your friend's offer to send the film there.

I shoot slides all the time, and I hope you enjoy your results -- I think
slides make for some great images.

I have never used Wal-mart or Walgreens or any store to do my slides. I
have always used services that specialize in developing and printing film;
my preference is for a service that develops E-6 on site, but sometimes
when traveling, that just isn't possible. I still don't use stores.

I'm sure Wal-mart will do just as good a job almost every time.

Wal-Mart won't develop slides in-house. They send out to Fuji who, in
theory, should be best for developing Fuji slides, but my experience is
they are not and Kodak actually does a better job with both Fuji slide
and print than the "Fuji" lab Wal-mart sends to.

Let me second what others are saying - Find a professional-quality E-6 lab
(Kodak or Fuji process; they're the same).  I use Colorchrome in Atlanta
(www.colorchrome.com).  Every major city has at least one.

First... I wouldn't give Walmart the time of day.. .second, the odds of
me giving my film to any mass merchandiser is silm to nil and slim left
town.    I have spent thousands of bucks of my cameras, lenses, film,
and vacations, I am goiing to save a few dollars on processing? NOT!!!  
Take the film to a local pro lab or send it to Fuji. you won't be
sorry.