Portable printing - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/01/2005 11:26:01 AM · #1

Looking for some advice,

I want to be able to print 'on location', whilst I realise that the best solution is a good laptop and something such as an Epson R800, portabilty does become an issue.

I'm looking at the idea of a 10x15cm (4"x6") photo printer.

The Epson Picture Mate seems to be the best quality and price (running costs are an issue) but I am concerned about the inability to select the desired image without printing index sheets.

There are a couple of HP units that offer an LCD preview screen and due to their size are more portable, but I have concerns about the print quality.

Canon do some nice portable dye-sub printers but the running costs are high (and no preview).

I know that I can use the PictBridge support thingy, but have no idea at present of how functional/useful this technology is.

Any advice would be most welcome :)

Thanks in advance

Darren

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

06/01/2005 12:07:10 PM · #2

Hi Darren, I used the HP Photosmart 7755 for direct printing from a photoshoot I did once. Just had 2 memory cards, and plugged one into the printer whilst I photographed with the other. Printed great 10 x 16 photos, but was pretty slow. The lcd allows selecting photos, cropping, adding a frame etc.
They have abother model called the Photosmart 325 (or the 375 which comes with an lcd). It is much smaller, about the size of a toaster, and I think includes a battery pack for powerless printing. I haven't used this, but might also be worth looking at.

Peter

crabappl3

06/01/2005 01:03:02 PM · #3

HiTi 640DL

When I shoot rodeos and print on site, this is what I use. I have not had any issues with it, and all clients are pleased with the result. I shoot in sRGB mode at the event, and just upload to PC then use their software with the printer to manage the files, and select the ones to print for each client. Well worth the money in my opinion.

-danny

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/01/2005 01:05:42 PM · #4

Check here
for information on printers, mobile and otherwise, where they discuss speed, and cost per page.

Having just done an on location shoot on Sunday, speed was my biggest concern. I used my Canon i9900, and it did a pretty good job, spitting the 5x7's out a reasonable rate. Cost per page was not a real factor for me at that event, as they paid for the paper and the ink.

Linda

06/01/2005 01:54:26 PM · #5

Originally posted by aKiwi:

Hi Peter,

It's the 325/375 that I'm looking at, the battery and the fact that it will fit in my backpack are it's most attractive features. Speed is not a great issue as I only expect to print a few images on each occasion as 'tasters', I have a masterplan for a total on-site solution but this involves a small team and quite a bit of investment :)

06/01/2005 02:22:14 PM · #6

Originally posted by crabappl3:

I've seen the HiTi printers but they don't seem so established in Europe (at least in Switzerland), what are the running costs like?

06/01/2005 03:37:43 PM · #7

Originally posted by lhall:

Thanks for the link :)

06/02/2005 01:36:18 AM · #8

bump - any more thoughts?

RichT8496

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

06/03/2005 05:21:32 AM · #9

The Selphy range from Canon offer absolutely great results in a very compact design and the cost of supplies is not that high at all. Half the price of some others like Kodak.
Also, if you get a slightly older model you will spend less than $100 on the printer hardware.
Mind you, the new ones have IR ports which means you can print wirelessly from any IR camera or phone.

06/03/2005 05:28:44 AM · #10

Originally posted by RichT8496:

After spending some time reading more on the subject I've decided that I need to go down the dye-sub route, this is mainly because my usage will be very low (once per month) and there will be too many issues with clogged heads with the inkjets.

I really like the idea of having something with a battery pack, this seems the narrow the field to the Canon CP330 and CP600 (is there a difference between the two?), although if I'm prepared to go without the battery pack then I can get an Olympus P10 at a very good price.

RichT8496

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

06/03/2005 05:53:23 AM · #11

Over the CP330 the CP600 has a Digic II processor for much faster printing and better quality prints. It also has the full PictBridge functionality allowing ID printing and multiple shots per print options.
I've had a CP600 for a couple of weeks and have been using it way more than I expected. The quality, speed and functionality are so cool and it hardly takes up any room. The battery pack is a great extra too, you can take it anywhere - and without any connection cables too!

R

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

06/04/2005 10:50:21 AM · #12

Originally posted by colda:

The Epson Picture Mate seems to be the best quality and price (running costs are an issue) but I am concerned about the inability to select the desired image without printing index sheets.

There is a new version Picturemate 500 with a screen. I think that you don't need to print an index sheet with that one.