Best 4x6" photo printer?

[Kaido]

Toying with the idea of getting one of those 4x6" photo printers. Last time I checked a couple years ago, the best one was the PictureMate from Epson. Any advice here? Real-life experience with one would be great.

 

[Kaido]

I decided to go with an older model, the Epson PictureMate Express Edition. It's an updated version of the original PictureMate. Abe's of Maine had it for a good price - $39.99 with free ground shipping:

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=EPPMEX

You can get it refurbished for five bucks cheaper at Epson, also with free ground shipping:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/S...4695&category=Products

Some features: (requires a separate USB cable)

-Nice carrying handle
-Simple interface
-6-color pigment inks with (says prints can last up to 200 years in archival sleeves in album storage)
-Prints a 4x6" photo at 5760x1440 DPI in under 2 minutes
-Doesn't need a computer to operate (multi-card reader onboard)
-Under 30 cents per print
-Includes a cartridge and enough paper for 20 4x6" prints

CNET review

Amazon reviews

Yay for last-generation hardware! :laugh:

 

[AmigaMan]

my wife prints decent (for us anyways) pics on her HP 3150. It was $79 @ Costco. Color reproduction was a little dull (used Canon photo paper) and the images were a little fuzzy, but that's probably due to the camera (5MP Canon S2IS) and operator. Can't wait to see what my new Sony Alpha will do.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
my wife prints decent (for us anyways) pics on her HP 3150. It was $79 @ Costco. Color reproduction was a little dull (used Canon photo paper) and the images were a little fuzzy, but that's probably due to the camera (5MP Canon S2IS) and operator. Can't wait to see what my new Sony Alpha will do.

Cool, I'll let you know how the Epson turns out! When I worked at Staples a few years ago it was supposed to be the best on the market. Heck, I spend more than $40 on inks when I replace my full-size inkjet printer's inks, so this was a good deal

 

[Zenmervolt]

I have a Minolta color laser printer at home that I use. If you're more than 6" away from the prints, you can't tell that they came out of a basic color laser printer and the toner cartridges last almost forever. Initial cost was a bit higher though, and I wouldn't use it for anything professional.

ZV

 

[tomatom]

~~~ OFF TOPIC ~~~

Hey , ZENMERVOLT , I love your sig. !

' Mind if I borrow/steal it ???

Vote Libertarian and win a free country.

 

[GrJohnso]

Any of the basic HP 4x6 & 5x7 printers with LCD work well and use easy to get, inexpensive Vivera inks that provide good results.... Only 80 year lifespan expected on those prints though.. Kinda think that'll do fine though...

Have a few of these (various models) floating around in my family and they are all running strong with zero maintenance needed... They also have the bonus of supporting battery operation (at an extra cost for the batter) for easy printing on the go as well...

 

[SKORPI0]

To me anyway, my Canon iP5000 (9600x2400 dpi). Backup is a Epson Stylus Photo R300.

 

[yhelothar]

Don't bother with those inkjet printers. The ink will fade in 3-5 years.
I had a Canon i850 printer. It printed out gorgeous lab quality photos. Now fast forward 5 years later, all of them looks faded.

 

[dealposter]

I quite like the Canon CP510 & CP710. They're both quite good... The CP710 adds a card reader and 2.5-inch color LCD screen to the basic CP510 package

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: astroidea
Don't bother with those inkjet printers. The ink will fade in 3-5 years.
I had a Canon i850 printer. It printed out gorgeous lab quality photos. Now fast forward 5 years later, all of them looks faded.

None of mine have done that. (7-10 years mounted in frame) Plus most are printed with archival ink.
And most 4x6 printers aren't inkjet.

 

[GrJohnso]

If archival is important, key in on the "pigment" based ink printers... Nothing else compares.... Just be prepared to pay more for ongoing costs.....

 

[Mday]

for 4x6 pix, get a dye sub printer. I got a canon one myself. Any of them will do. The only differences are features like LCD and card reader.

And if you print a lot of 4x6, going with a shop to get them printed will be cheaper in the long run, be it online or otherwise.

I would recommend getting a dedicated photo printer if you intend to print 8x10 or larger on a regular basis.

 

[Kristi2k]

I don't waste my $ on inkjets but rather print from www.mpix.com

 

[Kaido]

The printer arrived today. Printed out a few pics...very impressed with it. Everything looks good! Well worth the $40

 

[ProfJohn]

I had the Kodak easy share something or other, what a mistake.
I needed a printer I could carry with me as I was living on a cruise ship and had NO room at all. But the prints were dull.

Why get a special printer though? You can get a full sized photo printer for a little more $$ and then you can print 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10.
Not sure why I would invest in a one trick printer.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I don't waste my $ on inkjets but rather print from www.mpix.com

how many times do I have to say this. Most 4x6 printers are not inkjet!!!
gah