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rankamateur · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 957 Location: Colorado

Wasn't sure whether to use camera/scanner/software for this, but seems more "anything" to me --
I'd appreciate any opinions on the portable printers -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.
We are thinking of purchasing one for use within our department at work -- this would not be anything nearly as professional as SS. We are talking workgroup photos for bulletin boards, etc. Introducing new staff, putting together poster presentations about new equipment, etc. Catching shots of teamwork, etc. (Getting a desktop printer with 4x6 paper feed isn't an option -- has to be "freestanding" as IS won't allow us to connect anything to the computers.)
My director is looking to me for suggestions/research.
I'm looking to you -- surely there are some of you who own or have used these. Or -- if anyone can point me to web or print reviews, that would also be great.
Thanks.
Barbara

gracey · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 2418 Location: Ontario, Canada

I've looked at a few - hp and canon both make nice ones, but I haven't bought one - primarily because most of my prints are bigger than 4X6.

They are small, easy to move around and do produce decent little prints (you should be able to ask your local shop to show them in action).

SeaOtter · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 305 Location: West Hartford, CT

Both Canon and HP models are ok for printing documents, not photo's. Also, the ink gets expensive. The ink tanks are small and have to replaced frequently. The portable printers are more expensive than regular printers. Unless you need the portability, get a regular printer.

gracey · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 2418 Location: Ontario, Canada

Well, the Canon and HP I looked at were photo printers, not document printers and the salesman ran a couple of prints off both - like I said, nice little pics, but I'd have to agree - small ink cartridges mean a lot of replacing. They cost more than a normal size desk printer too and I wouldn't personally buy one either - unless they come out with one that will print 13" width it's a useless thing for me.

rankamateur · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 957 Location: Colorado

Actually, I realized this morning that portability may not be so important, so why not just get an HP Photosmart like I have at home. My 1115 is about 3 years old, kind on ink, and prints more than well enough for our needs. It also will print directly from cards, and has a lot of other options -- all of which I've never used. I only bothered once to print from card a couple of weeks ago. And as far as price, I'm pretty sure it was less than $200 (3 years ago).

But I'm still open to ideas, as I think my director may be wanting portability......................

Thanks.
Barbara

jnnfrws · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:48 am

Well, if someone were to be taking pictures at an event, and wanted to print, what would be a good one? I'm looking at dye-sub, since ink jet still has a propensity to fade, no matter how 'fade free' they say.
Jenn

gracey · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 2418 Location: Ontario, Canada

If you aren't going for small portability I'd recommend Epson. I'll be looking at their wide format or pro models when the time comes. They have a small portable one too, but 4X6 is pretty limiting.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/Printers.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=0

I know a pro photographer who owns a print shop and he's used a number of printers - his final choice was Epson's pro model (top of the line) - expensive but worth every penny if you are providing large format prints. He started with the "second from the top". The $1500 or $1900 model is the one I'll be going after...

With ink printers you get the best fade protection by using the proper print cartridges (not refilled ones or generic ones) for the printer model AND the correct paper. Printer inks and papers are an important part of keeping your fading to a miminum. Though, exposed to direct sunlight over long periods of time will fade pretty much anything.

For larger prints it helps to have acid free matting and a glass covering with uv treatment.

The debate between dyesub, wax and ink will always be there :) I've checked into some and decided to still with what I know for now...ink mostly. :)

gracey · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 2418 Location: Ontario, Canada

rankamateur · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 957 Location: Colorado

Thanks for all your great input Gracey.
I think cost will be an issue here, as we are talking about something not directly related to "the job" -- more an indirect use. So as interesting as that wide format Epson sounds . . . . . .

Barbara

alecia_scott · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 82 Location: Australia

My grandad has one of those little HP 4x6 photo printers. He swears by it, and claims they don't work out that expensive per print...

I think it is reasonable quality - not the best. But reasonable

lissdoc · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:02 am

I have an HP PSC (printer, scanner, copier) 750 that I have used for about 3 or 4 years now. It is not a little portable one, but I think it delivers excellent PSC options for reasonable price. It cost about $350. I use it for everything from birthday cards, to photos, to research papers and it performs very well. I'm sure they have a newer model if you aren't looking for portability particularly.

Melissa

SharpShooter · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 201 Location: Toronto, Ontario

Almost all of the protable printers cost an arm and a leg when you work out the cost per print.

For around $40 you can get a power inverter from an autoparts store which will let you run 2 devices with house hold plugs off of your car's cigarett lighter or accesory port. Then you can wall plug when you're near a plug.

With that said a Canon i450 is awesome for prints good on ink (check out reviews). It's going for $74 curently. Black ink bci-24 and bci-21 work for $5.99 and color is $7.99. These are canadian prices. works out to $0.31 per print.

It's a little bulky but light.

If a couple hour time difference doesn't matter costco is the cheapest and best quality solution. They're $0.19 here and are done in less than an hour usually.

SharpShooter · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 201 Location: Toronto, Ontario

Almost all of the protable printers cost an arm and a leg when you work out the cost per print.

For around $40 you can get a power inverter from an autoparts store which will let you run 2 devices with house hold plugs off of your car's cigarett lighter or accesory port. Then you can wall plug when you're near a plug.

With that said a Canon i450 is awesome for prints good on ink (check out reviews). It's going for $74 curently. Black ink bci-24 and bci-21 work for $5.99 and color is $7.99. These are canadian prices. works out to $0.31 per print.

It's a little bulky but light.

If a couple hour time difference doesn't matter costco is the cheapest and best quality solution. They're $0.19 here and are done in less than an hour usually.

It can me printed directly from a camera.

seregaivanov · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 211

HP has strong support for Linux - that may be not important now, but one day you may want to try Linux (with it's FREE image editing sw) - so you will save troubles with printer

jnnfrws · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:40 pm