Photo Books - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for Canon

11/03/2005 02:40:18 PM · #1

Hi DPC whackos!

I'm just beginning to do some initial research into custom photo books and I'd like to get information and opinions from people who have any experience with the available services. Of course, I will gladly accept information and\or opinions from those that haven't actually bought a photo book too.

Here are a few of the questions I'd like answers to; although any other information may be useful as well:

1. Which of the services have you used?
2. How satisfied are you with the service itself?
3. Was the service easy to use?
4. Do they provide multiple layout options?
5. Do they provide software so you can work offline?
6. How satisfied are you with the resulting book(s)?
7. How expen$ive are they? If very, are they worth the extra?

I'm specifically looking for a book that will be suitable for a wedding, but I'm also considering having books made with my own photos for personal use, and possibly to give as gifts as well.

Any information you can give me will be much appreciated.

--Mick

moswyn

Canon EOS-7D

11/03/2005 03:09:52 PM · #2

I am interested in what this thread brings up too. I tried MyPublisher about a year ago and found that while it would work okay for my personal stuff, I wouldn't use it for my professional work. At that time, their printing wasn't the best ever and they also included a page with the MyPublisher logo on it, which didn't set well with me. I figure I paid for the publishing service, I don't need to advertise for them too.

I did like their options to use pre-designed layouts or to customize as desired.

They may have different services available now and better printing.

FotoMunki

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/03/2005 03:14:05 PM · #3

There have been various threads - search the forums (here is one: MyPublisher Review

FotoMunki

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/03/2005 03:16:30 PM · #4

Here's another one: yet another one!

Prof_Fate

11/03/2005 03:42:57 PM · #5

Originally posted by macpapas:

There have been various threads - search the forums (here is one: MyPublisher Review

Thanks - that was my review!
Read that for my thoughts on MyPublisher. The b&g will see it Sunday, so i'll know more then. My wife likes it.

If you can keepthe DPI to 300, low noise, and do all full bleed pages then i think it would be a nice option. The software is nice to use.

1. Which of the services have you used? MyPublisher so far.
2. How satisfied are you with the service itself? Very satisfied.
3. Was the service easy to use? Yes
4. Do they provide multiple layout options? Yes - 3 sizes of books, full page full bleed, full page, and a wide variety of 2/3/4 pics to a page, in various orientations.
5. Do they provide software so you can work offline? Yes.
6. How satisfied are you with the resulting book(s)? For a hobbyist, or a gift to grandma of the kids, great. For professional sales...seems to be lacking just a bit in print quality.
7. How expen$ive are they? If very, are they worth the extra? $10 to $70 for a 10 page (20 sides) Additional pages in the med book (9x11") are $1.50. I did a 20 side (40 page)hard cover, linen cover, 9x11 book, actually got two copies, with shipping $120. I used a 1/2 off coupon I got in the mail, so i paid $60. The base book without extra pages is $29.95.

Prof_Fate

11/03/2005 03:46:30 PM · #6

Originally posted by moswyn:

At that time, their printing wasn't the best ever and they also included a page with the MyPublisher logo on it, which didn't set well with me. I figure I paid for the publishing service, I don't need to advertise for them too.

They still have that page. easy enough to remove it (razor blade) or cover it with a sticker that give you credit, copyright, etc.

I did mine as a gift / thank you for letting me shoot their wedding for my portfolio, so i glued my biz card inside the front cover and a CD holder inside the back. Their 'pro' photographer has turned out to be a first class a@@hole, so I may get referrals from this...I know he won't.

kearock

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/03/2005 03:54:52 PM · #7

Here's a recent thread:

Wedding Books

11/03/2005 07:53:40 PM · #8

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by macpapas:
There have been various threads - search the forums (here is one: MyPublisher Review

Thanks - that was my review!
Read that for my thoughts on MyPublisher. The b&g will see it Sunday, so i'll know more then. My wife likes it.

If you can keepthe DPI to 300, low noise, and do all full bleed pages then i think it would be a nice option. The software is nice to use.

1. Which of the services have you used? MyPublisher so far.
2. How satisfied are you with the service itself? Very satisfied.
3. Was the service easy to use? Yes
4. Do they provide multiple layout options? Yes - 3 sizes of books, full page full bleed, full page, and a wide variety of 2/3/4 pics to a page, in various orientations.
5. Do they provide software so you can work offline? Yes.
6. How satisfied are you with the resulting book(s)? For a hobbyist, or a gift to grandma of the kids, great. For professional sales...seems to be lacking just a bit in print quality.
7. How expen$ive are they? If very, are they worth the extra? $10 to $70 for a 10 page (20 sides) Additional pages in the med book (9x11") are $1.50. I did a 20 side (40 page)hard cover, linen cover, 9x11 book, actually got two copies, with shipping $120. I used a 1/2 off coupon I got in the mail, so i paid $60. The base book without extra pages is $29.95.

Thanks for the reply Chris! It seems that you're the only one around here that knows anything about photo books. :)

The other replies weren't much help I'm afraid. I had already read the other threads, unfortunately they don't answer many of my questions. If they did I wouldn't have started this thread.

Does anyone have any information about Apollo Photo Imagizing (other than the URL which I already have)?

How about GraphiStudio? Their books appear to be the nicest I've seen, but their web site is pretty useless.

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/03/2005 07:58:27 PM · #9

Apollo kills MyPublisher.

They have a custom designed dust jacket - much cooler especially for the large MP books than the cheap linen cover. Also, the pages look better color-wise and the leatherette covers are much better (padded).

There are more Illuma sizes to choose from.

The Illumas don't have advertising in or on them - the small MP has a LOT of advertising, and the medium MP has a full page ad for MP in it.

I'm using Illuma, never MP or Shutterfly again. I've tried them ALL (MP, shutterfly, and a third .. some other Shutterfly type? Ofoto? I don't remember the name) and Illuma simply kills them all.

Riponlady

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

11/03/2005 08:00:57 PM · #10

I know Legalbeagle has been looking into this quite closely recently for his wedding abums so it might be worthwhile PMing him if he doesn't pick up on this thread. He has finally gone through an Australian company.
P

11/03/2005 08:07:28 PM · #11

Originally posted by mavrik:

Thanks for the info Matt!

So, how do you get started with Apollo? What are their prices like? Maybe I didn't look around enough, but I couldn't find a link with pricing info, or even one that would let me open an account.

11/03/2005 08:08:59 PM · #12

Originally posted by Riponlady:

Thanks Pauline! I'll ping him if he doesn't chime in.

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

11/03/2005 09:57:25 PM · #13

Originally posted by micknewton:

So, how do you get started with Apollo? What are their prices like? Maybe I didn't look around enough, but I couldn't find a link with pricing info, or even one that would let me open an account.

First of all, I've had this same thing said to me at least 5 times now about the pricing so I'll clear it up here:

1) //www.apollo-imagizing.com/
2) Illuma Memory Books graphic in the middle of the page. Click.
3) Link at the bottom: Please Click HERE for Product Pricing
4) Click that link to get //www.apollo-imagizing.com/illbooks_pricing.php

Their prices are SUPER cheap - comparable to MyPublisher.

You have to call them to setup an account.

Hope that helps!
(Australian company is probly $$$$$$ and is either Jorgansen or Albums Australia or Queensbury)

M

11/04/2005 11:06:39 AM · #14

Originally posted by mavrik:

Originally posted by micknewton:
So, how do you get started with Apollo?

You have to call them to setup an account.

That's so lame! Why not let potential customers create an account online?

Oh well, I may do it anyway. All of the others I've looked at are pretty lame too. I haven't found a single photo book site yet that I would consider well designed and easy to use. They all provide so little info about their services, products, prices, and processes that I wonder how they manage to stay in business. It's like they're trying to hide something. I've looked at a lot of these photo book sites, and, in my opinion, they all leave a lot to be desired.

pix-al

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/04/2005 11:19:35 AM · #15

Hey Mick.

I literally just got my first photo book which I ordered from bonusprint (www.bonusprint.co.uk).
Not sure where you are in the world as your "Location" is not completed in your details. This is a UK company, though the book actually shipped from Holland.

As for your Q's...

1. Which of the services have you used? Bonus Print, Medium 'Photobook', Faux Leather cover

2. How satisfied are you with the service itself? Very satisfied, though Print quality not as good as I had hoped it might be

3. Was the service easy to use? Yes - Very.

4. Do they provide multiple layout options? Yes, about 10 different page layouts I think, though I am not sure if they do full bleed (I'm not "up" on printing techniques as this was my first attempt at a book

5. Do they provide software so you can work offline? Yes

6. How satisfied are you with the resulting book(s)? Great book to give as a gift. 40 pages in the options I chose so the book toalled about 50 to 60 photos. Print quality could be better, but fine for family gifts etc.

7. How expen$ive are they? If very, are they worth the extra? This cost Â£39.99 ($70 approx). A little expensive, so I may try a cheaper option next time.

Hope that helps.

PS - Anyone tried VioVio? www.viovio.com US based though ship all over the world. They do paper back "Coffee Table Books" Price looks very good. From their website...
The base price for creation and binding is $4.99, then each page costs $.25. For example, a 20 page photo book will cost $9.99 and a huge 100 page photo book will only cost $29.99! The price is the same regardless of the book size you choose, or if you full bleed the pictures or not

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

11/04/2005 11:23:40 AM · #16

Originally posted by BIG AL:

The base price for creation and binding is $4.99, then each page costs $.25. For example, a 20 page photo book will cost $9.99 and a huge 100 page photo book will only cost $29.99! The price is the same regardless of the book size you choose, or if you full bleed the pictures or not

That seems way too cheap, I can't imagine that they're printing at very high quality for that. I can't get an 8x10 printed for that cheap per page.

pix-al

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/04/2005 11:29:37 AM · #17

Thats what I thought When I read it - The pictures of the samples look good though?!?!?