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Clint S. wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.

Laser printers aren't suitable for photographic printing by the very nature of
how they work - they don't provide anywhere near the same resolution in color,
and they don't blend colors well, since each color is printed and fused
separately. They're great for color GRAPHICS, but not for photos. Cost isn't a
consideration, because I can pretty much guarantee he won't be happy with the
outcome.

But if he really wants to be sure, tell him to take his pictures to a store like
Staples or something, where they sell both, and have the store do some demo
prints for him - the difference be obvious very quickly.

On Dec 18, 4:09 pm, Clint S. <> wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>
> Thanks Much!!
>
> Clint
>
> Your Portion Of Light

Lasers are poor for color printing mostly because of the way they put
colors on paper, by dithering, the size of the dithering is so large it
is very visible. TRhe minimal laser is the Xerox Paser series, and to
print photos with these you need a lot of memory which isn't cheap.
Even the top end lasers can't compete with low end inkjets.
If your friend is using a D2X he needs a serious printer. Start looking
at the HP B9180, uses ink tanks, 33ml, and has replaceable heads. There
is a review on Luminos Landscape. A step up from that would be the
Canon Ipf5000 and the Epson 4800, both use ink tanks and print to
17inches x any length, again check Luminos Landscape for reviews. The
minimal printers are the Epson R1800 or Epson 2400, but both have the
hassle of little cartridges, the HP B9180 should have lower ink costs
for about the same initial price. I used to do large format printing
commercially, I have to say good inkjet printer have gotten quite easy
to use since I bought my big printer 8 years ago. profiles are
available for most papers, the printers are self calibrating, all good
stuff. Right now my choices would be 1. Canon Ipf5000, HP B9180, and
the Epson 4800. The only reason the Epson is last is it can't handle
both glossy and fine art papers without dumping ink.
Costs, inkjets vary between $1.25 and $2 per 8x10, I would say the
Epson 2400 and R1800 maybe a little more. Get the best buy you can on
brand name inks, no nmae inks are not worth the hassle and they often
screw up profiles etc. A good place for inks is Atlantic Exchange,
www.atlex.com.

Good luck
Tom

And lo, Clint S <> emerged from the ether
and spake thus:
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>
> Thanks Much!!
>
> Clint

For *cost* reasons? Can he be serious? A 9-color inkjet is much more
cost-effective than a laser printer, at least for the first few
hundred prints, just by virtue of the start-up cost for a laser
printer that would even come *close* to the quality of an inkjet (and
those are few and far between, especially in the consumer arena.)

The only non-inkjet printers that can produce respectable photo output
are: dye sublimation printers (basically ink jet technology but with a
twist, and costly), so-called "wax jet" or artistic wax printers such
as the venerable Phaser (now owned by Xerox), which are costly to buy
and to operate, and of course the completely unattainable Giclee,
which would be absurd to own for home use, unless your friend is
moderately wealthy and somewhat of a spendthrift.

There are printers to suit every need within the Canon and Epson
lines, some of which I've used, others of which I haven't, but overall
the price/performance ratio of inkjet is hardly anything to laugh at.

Notes on cost:

1. Always use your printer's branded ink. Third-party inks are a waste
of time and money. It may appear to be a cost savings, and they
will claim their performance is comparable, but they're full of
@#$*.

2. By sticking with Canon/Epson, your friend will be able to
experiment with third-party artistic inkjet papers tested for those
major brands and available from such fine shops as Red River Paper
Company (www.redrivercatalog.com). I have used their papers for
years and have always been satisfied. They do not test their papers
for other brands of printers.

3. A six- or nine-color inkjet is somewhat more cost-effective than a
color laser because you can replace 1/6 or 1/9 of your ink at a
time, running each individual tank to its absolute terminus. Color
laser printers almost exclusively use quad-cartridge CMYK systems
(although some throw in a fifth color). This somehow translates
into a cost savings, but I'm not a mathematician.

I actually can't think of any reasons your friend should consider
color laser if what he wants are photographic prints.

--
Aaron
http://www.fisheyegallery.com
http://www.singleservingphoto.com

And lo, jeremy <> emerged from the ether
and spake thus:
>
><Clint S.> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that
>> wants
>> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
>> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
>> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
>> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>>
>
> IF the budget does not allow for an excellent printer, and if it is not
> absolutely essential that you have your prints at once, consider uploading
> the images to www.dalelabs.com. You will receive real photo prints, on real
> silver halide paper, just like back in the film days. I prefer these so
> much over inkjet prints that I do not bother owning an inkjet printer at
> all.
>
> The only drawback is that you must wait for the prints to arrive by mail.

Let me also recommend White House Custom Color (www.whcc.com). Their
prices are second-to-none and their customer service is tops. They
serve a slightly more professional audience than most of the digital
shops online (AdoramaPix, Shutterfly, etc. come to mind). Your friend
might consider all of the above. I warn that Shutterfly has never
shown me superb output, although AdoramaPix has.

--
Aaron
http://www.fisheyegallery.com
http://www.singleservingphoto.com

"Aaron" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> Let me also recommend White House Custom Color (www.whcc.com). Their
> prices are second-to-none and their customer service is tops. They
> serve a slightly more professional audience than most of the digital
> shops online (AdoramaPix, Shutterfly, etc. come to mind). Your friend
> might consider all of the above. I warn that Shutterfly has never
> shown me superb output, although AdoramaPix has.
>

I'd second that. We just used them for the first time for some client
images, and they were great. And an improvement over Mpix, as far as ease
of use.

--
Skip Middleton
www.shadowcatcherimagery.com
www.pbase.com/skipm

I have a Minolta 2400W color laser. Frankly I bought it because I
had gone through three inkjets all of which loved to dry out and all
became expensive consumers of ink carts and maintenance. One of the
three did OK one did good and the last one did very good. So now I
have the color laser and I am thrilled with it. It does almost as good
as the best inkjet. It did cost more, but has required no maintenance
and even if I need to replace the toner next week, I will be happy.

If I have something I want and it does not produce the quality I
want for that particular use, I can send my file to a local commercial
printer and go pick it up.

It has proven to be much faster, and far less trouble than any of
the inkjets.

Talk Ink Jet to me when they become as reliable.

On Dec 18, 4:09 pm, Clint S. <> wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>
> Thanks Much!!
>
> Clint
>
> Your Portion Of Light
>
> Whether you are a brilliant flame or
> but a tiny spark matters not-for the world
> needs whatever portion of light is yours to give.

WOW.....Thanks for the great information!! I haven't done much "home
printing" myself as I send out all my digital stuff because I didn't want
the overhead of the printer....yada yada yada. I would have thought that
laser printers would have been the way to fly but it looks like the crowd
is screaming the praises of the ink-jet.

Thanks Much!

Clint

On 19 Dec 2006 07:44:59 -0800, wrote:

> I have a Minolta 2400W color laser. Frankly I bought it because I
>had gone through three inkjets all of which loved to dry out and all
>became expensive consumers of ink carts and maintenance. One of the
>three did OK one did good and the last one did very good. So now I
>have the color laser and I am thrilled with it. It does almost as good
>as the best inkjet. It did cost more, but has required no maintenance
>and even if I need to replace the toner next week, I will be happy.
>
> If I have something I want and it does not produce the quality I
>want for that particular use, I can send my file to a local commercial
>printer and go pick it up.
>
> It has proven to be much faster, and far less trouble than any of
>the inkjets.
>
> Talk Ink Jet to me when they become as reliable.
>
>On Dec 18, 4:09 pm, Clint S. <> wrote:
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
>> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
>> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
>> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
>> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>>
>> Thanks Much!!
>>
>> Clint
>>
>> Your Portion Of Light
>>
>> Whether you are a brilliant flame or
>> but a tiny spark matters not-for the world
>> needs whatever portion of light is yours to give.


Your Portion Of Light

Whether you are a brilliant flame or
but a tiny spark matters not-for the world
needs whatever portion of light is yours to give.

And lo, Skip <> emerged from the ether
and spake thus:
> "Aaron" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>>
>> Let me also recommend White House Custom Color (www.whcc.com). Their
>> prices are second-to-none and their customer service is tops. They
>> serve a slightly more professional audience than most of the digital
>> shops online (AdoramaPix, Shutterfly, etc. come to mind). Your friend
>> might consider all of the above. I warn that Shutterfly has never
>> shown me superb output, although AdoramaPix has.
>>
>
> I'd second that. We just used them for the first time for some client
> images, and they were great. And an improvement over Mpix, as far as ease
> of use.

I should add that I just received my first *real* order from them
today. I had only seen their five free test prints until now. I
ordered three 16x20 prints finished on 1/8" masonite (a dense particle
board for those who are unfamiliar), and the results are *stunning*.
Very accurate color reproduction and a spotless, clean finishing job.
Just what you would expect from a professional shop.

I have also inquired on some custom jobs, such as finishing on board
to a square layout, and their customer support is very willing to help
you get whatever you need, within their capabilities.

Their "ROES" java-based, cross-platform tool for putting in orders is
a really great, interactive, and fast way to send in your work. It
helps to see with your own eyes that you are ordering the correct
aspect ratio prints, or if you are purposefully providing blank areas,
how they fall on the page.

My friend recently received a few of his prints that were improperly
packed with tape ON the image itself. This was a jarring discovery for
he and I both. Fortunately the prints were fine after careful removal
of the tape, but he called them to complain about it, anyway. The gal
he spoke with quickly offered to reprint them all and ship them *at no
cost*. It doesn't get much better than that. Other than doing it right
the first time, of course, but my prints had no such issues; I suspect
it was a new employee or uncommon fluke.

I can't sing their praises enough.

--
Aaron
http://www.fisheyegallery.com
http://www.singleservingphoto.com

On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 13:09:54 -0800, Clint S. wrote
(in article <>):

> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.

I use both. Laser printers can do very good work, but they cannot equal a
good dye printer. They are also much more limited in the kinds of paper they
will accept. Laser printers can be damaged by coated papers. On the other
hand, they are a lot cheaper to operate, no question.

So: brochures, newsletters, flyers, etc., you use the laser printer.
Individual photo prints, fine art, and so on, you use a dye printer or take
it to a commercial printer.

The new HP color laser printers when used with the supported photo paper
print almost the same quality as the inkjet version. We have a 3550 and new
4600 HP and both of them print nicely with the edge in quality of photo on
the 4600. I also have a 3210 HP photosmart inkjet and it's the best
all-in-one device I've ever owned. Prints excellent photographic copies and
scans with higher quality than any scanner i've owned before as well. And
it's very easy to use. You basically press a button on the front of the
printer and the computer links and starts up the programs automatically.
Very nice indeed.

Steve

<Clint S.> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Folks,
>
> I know we've all had this discussion before but, I have a friend that
> wants
> to print-out his pictures taken with his Nikon D2X. He's leaning in the
> direction of a 9 color inkjet but I think he should consider a color
> laser.(For cost reasons) I would appreciate any and all comments and
> direction you can send my way to help him in his decision.
>
> Thanks Much!!
>
> Clint
>
> Your Portion Of Light
>
> Whether you are a brilliant flame or
> but a tiny spark matters not-for the world
> needs whatever portion of light is yours to give.