Need Help: Instant Digital Prints for Fundraiser

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/09/2006 02:00:53 PM · #1

Hey all-

As my day job, I work for a major NYC non-profit. For this non-profit, we're having a fundraiser at which we want to have "photo-ops".

As the resident photographer, I was given the task of figuring out what set-up we should go with (ie, a digital camera + a photo printer or a Polaroid). I HATE how poor quality Polaroids are, and how expensive the film is, and I figure the initial outlay of funds for, say, an Epson Picturemate Express Edition, would be balanced out by the fact that the prints cost much less.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to best work this. In an ideal world, people would go to the photo-op, give their donation, we'd snap the photo and hand it to them. But it only seems like that's truly possible with Polaroids.

So, my questions: is it possible to have a camera hooked up to a photo printer continuously (while shooting) so that printing can also be happening? Should I just plan on swapping out memory cards instead (ie, shoot, hand the card I just used to someone else who goes and puts it in the printer and hits the button while I'm shooting the next one on another card)? Should I break down and deal with the Polaroid? (But, ugh, the quality. Also, it's a fast-action, low light situation, so I'm not even sure the Polaroid would cut it.)

While I'm on the subject, does anyone have experience with either the Epson Picturemate or the Sony FP50? I don't even own a printer, so I'm a little clueless on all of this. The reviews online implied that both are good quality and generally user friendly.

Thanks!
Beth

Canon EOS-20D

05/09/2006 02:06:48 PM · #2

I have heard (and seen) good things from the Epson PictureMate Express. It prints from a card but my understanding is that you can also directly connect with a USB cable (I'd double check before you really purchased). Plus it's cute and little!

Edited to say that I am stupid and you already mentioned this. D'oh!

Message edited by author 2006-05-09 14:07:13.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/09/2006 02:12:12 PM · #3

I have the epson and its great for use onsite. It prints a 4X6 (proof size) so its great. It is USB compatible, but I've never used it that way. I just keep a couple of cards and one is in the printer all the time, swapping back & forth.

05/09/2006 02:13:47 PM · #4

It's good to know that you've heard good things about it, though! It really appears to be the best printer for the money (I'm trying to keep the costs down as much as possible without sacrificing quality).

I originally was looking at the Epson Picturemate but the reviews on Amazon said it was slow. Apparently the Express is the faster version.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/09/2006 02:15:00 PM · #5

idnic - Thanks for the advice. How long does each individual print take, in your experience? Any potential problems I should know about in regards to that printer?

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

05/09/2006 02:17:50 PM · #6

We used this printer at my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. Everyone had their photo taken as they arrived and multiple prints were made. One set of prints was immediately arranged into a photo album and was available at their table moments after the last guest arrived.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/09/2006 02:21:35 PM · #7

It prints about 1 print/minute which is fast enough I guess. Though sometimes I really need about 10/minute lol
Haven't really had any problems at all with it. Used for 2 events and only replaced the ink once, so that's nice too.

digitalpins

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

05/09/2006 02:26:17 PM · #8

I have a little hp printer similar to you epson, prints on 4x6 prints, for what you want to do the little 4x6 printers work well and should get the job done, I just used it this weekend at a birthday party. The kids loved it, took about a minute or two to print out the pictures.

Oh yea a tip!!! it would be good to have more than one cf card that way you can keep shooting while your printer is printing out pics.

Message edited by author 2006-05-09 14:26:22.

photorookie

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

05/11/2006 08:51:36 PM · #9

I used my HP printer for a breakfast with Santa at Christmas and also for
a breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Each time we took over one hundred photos.
The second time went faster because I was using 5 cards and two printers.
I also made sure that I had plenty of ink just in case I ran out. I think
I was getting almost a hundred photos at the better resolution per ink
cartridge. If you shop around you can get an Hp ink and paper pack for 100
picture for around $30.00