What photo printer ?

[Groupc]

Since I've had my Canon 10D I'm quite happy to store all my images on CD, and have the occasional enlargement processed professionally. My wife however has other ideas, she bemoans the passing of my trusty Canon A1 as she never gets to see any prints - she watches too many adverts methinks !

So, I've been backed into a corner and need to buy a photo printer. Do I go for a dedicated photo printer (6" x 4" max image size I guess) or a sexy bubble jet which will allow high quality enlagrements as well. Mainly I'd be printing standard size prints. What do you recommend ? I have a £250 budget - ouch!

[Aysedasi]

I don't print that many,, personally, but with a combination of photoshop and my elderly deskjet, I get very acceptable results.

[Happy Snapper]

No matter which printer you buy the "ink" will fade as none of the are truly permanent, for proofs if I need them I FTP the images to Kodak, they product photographs from the digital images and send them back in 48 hours works out about 19 pence a picture! Back to printers I use an Epson 1290 A3+ printer with inkflow system by Photospeed and it is guaranteed to not fade.

[Aysedasi]

What is the anticipated "fade-time", do you think? I realise it depends on the ink and the paper and other variables, but are we talking years, decades or what?

Back to printers I use an Epson 1290 A3+ printer with inkflow system by Photospeed and it is guaranteed to not fade.

Is this the exception then?

[Happy Snapper]

There is no fixed fade time but all "ink" sold in the printer cartridges fades from the moment it dries! The fade will depend on as you say the paper and is it in sunlight. The Inkflow system I use (Fotospeed) uses “printers” ink, it’s my understanding that all inkjet cartridges are wax based inks which are prone to fading. They are much better now than a few years back, but still no in the same league as a inkflow system.

[Picturesports]

I use a Epson photo 2100 with Epson paper and lightfast pigment based inks. You could leave one of the prints on display for up to 75 years according to the manufacturer.

As the printer has only been around for 12-18 months I'll have to wait a few more years to see if I was ripped off. Seriously though, the print quality is excellent and as close to a photo as I've seen even at A3.

Too expensive however to run as a general office printer as well.

[thebear]

Originally posted by Groupc
So, I've been backed into a corner and need to buy a photo printer. Do I go for a dedicated photo printer (6" x 4" max image size I guess) or a sexy bubble jet which will allow high quality enlagrements as well. Mainly I'd be printing standard size prints. What do you recommend ? I have a £250 budget - ouch!

I am not familiar with the UK model designations of various manufacturer's devices. However if most of your needs can be satisfied with 6 x 4 prints you might wish to consider one of the dedicated 6 x 4 dye sublimation models. These are very reasonable (should be ~£100). One gets a package of 25 sheets of 6 x 4 paper and a set of dye cartridges. When you have printed the 25 install the new cartridges that accompany the next pack of paper. These prints have a longer life than all but the most expensive proprietary papers. Prices should be ~£6/pkg. Printing is accomplished by four automatic passes thru the device, one for each color and black. Not exactly fast but fascinating to watch the color layers generate the picture. Send the big prints out for processing as the paper cost goes up exponentially with size as does the ink consumption.

[Groupc]

Thanks guys - bit of a slow starter this one, I was beginning to think I'd stretched the motorsport art and photography envelope a little to far. I appreciate your time.

[PaulSands]

I had a couple of pictures I printed on a colour laser jet that were kept in an envelope in a drawer, so no sunlight exposure, and they had faded beyond belief in the space of a year

[thebear]

Originally posted by PaulSands
I had a couple of pictures I printed on a colour laser jet that were kept in an envelope in a drawer, so no sunlight exposure, and they had faded beyond belief in the space of a year

That could have been an incompatibility between the paper and the toner. "Generic" copy paper will not do in this application. You have to go for the specific "Photo" grade. These things do get `testy' from time to time.

[Hugewally]

New printer photo ink on photo paper will last as long if not longer than film prints nowadays.

Martin

[Happy Snapper]

Originally posted by Hugewally
New printer photo ink on photo paper will last as long if not longer than film prints nowadays.

Martin

All makes? I use Epson and none of their inks are for life they all fade after time, the inkflow system uses "printers" ink and is guaranteed for life or 150 years, which comes first!

[Hugewally]

Originally posted by Happy Snapper
All makes? I use Epson and none of their inks are for life they all fade after time, the inkflow system uses "printers" ink and is guaranteed for life or 150 years, which comes first!

As long as you're using 'photo' quality ink then the photos will last longer than you'll be alive.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/L...yes&cookies=no

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,50663,00.asp

martin

[Happy Snapper]

Yes true but? I use a Epson 1290 with its original Epson cartridges which are not permanent, the Epson documentation does say 75 year plus and they test the fade in fluorescent light not sunlight.

http://www.epson.co.uk/products/inkj...hoto_1290S.htm

http://www.epson.co.uk/contact/broch...ABrite_Ink.pdf

and thier storage info

“Storing your prints in photo albums protects them from both airborne contaminants and light and assures them the longest life. We recommend using acid-free, archival sleeves that are commonly available from camera shops and other retailers.
If you’re displaying your prints in picture frames, mount them under glass to minimize exposure to humidity, cigarette smoke, and other atmospheric contaminants.
Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near sources of bright light. Your displayed prints will last longer when protected from the environment, but will not last as long as prints stored in photo albums.”

The technology has moved on from my first “Star” colour dot matrix printer and print life will vary dependant on type and quality of printer, ink, paper and the storage conditions, the only sure thing is they will fade the question is when?

[Hugewally]

How long before color film fades then? 25 years for a color computer print is still good in my eyes...

Also I don't know of anything that won't fade in sunlight...



Martin

[Happy Snapper]

I was intersted thay "test" under lighting and advise dont expose to sunlight a little missleading? Not to much of an issue in UK but in Florida may be spent some time in Key West sailing and stuff.