direct printing lab vs home pc

[redline]

well i was thinking of getting a printer to do heaps of 8x10 sor 8x12s
but i have no idea how the lastest printers compare with the lab equipment.

or should i just remain navive and send my stuff off to be printed @4$ a pop?

[Miliux]

There was an article about this at Photo Review mag. Simply, by printing at home you have better control over the quality. Such as collaboration, contrast, brightness, etc.

Here's an interesting fact. Even if most Harvey Norman have same photo lab, the result comes out differently. The mag conducted this between Sydney and Melb labs.

If you just want to show hard copies to buddies, then bulk printing at photo lab is the way to go. Otherwise, if you only print like a half a dozen for your portfolio or something, then home printing.

[Andyt]

I agree, I do not print as much as I used to but when I do its because its a "stand out" pic, so want the best hard copy I can get.

I went to home printing out of frustration with the results I got from over the counter, have not been disappointed since. As said, you have control over the colour balance & all adjustments, besides, after investing so much in camera equipment the end result I think should be the best you can get for your efforts and time spent in obtaining the pic.

I have a Canon i950 A4 photoprinter, with what I have learn't in obtaining best and consistant results is to use the same brand of paper and ink tanks as is your printer, don't mix & match. I suggest a serious look at a A3 size printer for those "special" pics. Also, a top quality guilitine is a must.

The only thing slowing me down in printing is the cost of decent frames...

My 2cents.. Andyt

[dooda]

Andy,

There is an arts shop here that cuts my framing costs in half. I go there, select the frame and matting that I want, fill out the order, they send it out and a week later the pieces come and I put it all together at home. I recently framed a 12x18 shot in a metal frame with two matts and it cost me about $55.00, compared to atleast $110. at a frame store. I recommend checking into one of these artist shops/stores.

[Killakoala]

I buy my frames from either Big W or 'The Wharehouse'. The frames are not expensive, in the 10-20 dollar range, obviously not the best frames mony can buy but they look very good hanging on my walls and help enhance the photographs i have printed out.

If you are framing 10 by 8s prints then you can buy ready made and cut matte in A4 frame size for $2 at Big w.

I bought a nice timber frame that will suit an A3+ sized print and matte for $19.95 at the Wharehouse in Castle hill.

[Frankenstein]

I recently bought an Epson RX510 multifunction printer, and I'm quite happy with the results. I guess the printing costs are higher on this than getting them done at, say, Big W, but for bigger prints that will go on the wall I prefer to maintain control. For larger batches of 6x4s (holiday, family snaps etc) then I'm happy to get them done by Big W...I download them and pick them up a few days later, and the quality has been quite good (and you can't argue about the price these days!)

Frank

[genji]

well i was thinking of getting a printer to do heaps of 8x10 sor 8x12s
but i have no idea how the lastest printers compare with the lab equipment.

or should i just remain navive and send my stuff off to be printed @4$ a pop?

Thai

my understanding is u get 20-25 prints @ A4 size per set of ink. i have a Epson R210, and it cost me $60 for a set (6) of ink ( i get the 3rd party ink, real epsons r $20 per ink). and epson premium photo glossy paper for $20 (i think) all up $80 for 20 prints A4.

[Andyt]

Dooda,

Thanks for the advice, I do not know of such a shop here in Perth, however I will venture into Big W and the new warehouse that has recently opened and have a look.

Regards, Andyt

[dooda]

NO prob. This is sort of a art supplies store that deals mainly in Frames and matts (high quality). Good luck.

[boxerboy]

Waiting for the D70users first review of the R1800!

[genji]

Waiting for the D70users first review of the R1800!

should available after this weekend!

[redline]

Thanks for your comments guys,
so how much would a epson r210 cost Genji?

i had a look at big w for thoughs frames you were taking Killakoala about its a 11x14 with a 8x10 or 8x12 opening right? they pretty pricy at 5-7$

dooda, would it be possible to a big matt sheet and achieve this?
e.g a 20x30 sheet would give you close to
a 20x30 with a 16x20 opening
a 16x20 with a 11x14 opening
a 11x14 with a 8x10 opening
a 8x10 with a 5x7 opening
5x7 oh jeez you get a really small window

[kipper]

Ted's do digital 12x8s for $3.95. Got one developed today. They come out pretty good.

[redline]

yeah, they had their 2$ prints sale finish up a couple of weeks ago. shame i should have got in early