Mini Photo Printer - Ideas/suggestions please

[Liquid101]

I'm looking for a small, easy to use photo printer for the GF. Only somehting to print 6x4's or maybe 5x7's etc.

Seems to be so many on the market at the moment, loads of discounted ones prices ranging from £50-150.

I know nothing about this type of thing, and have never even used one. does anybody have any recommendations - best quality/value/easy of use/cost of consumables etc. Dye sub vs Inket etc.

All advice very gratefully received

 

[grantsteve]

I don't really know a lot about these things either but what I can tell you is I got my Dad a Canon Selphy CP730 and its a neat bit of kit.

Its a dye-sub printer which I read gives better an longer lasting results than an inkjet (that could be complete tosh though )

If you are looking to get a simple to use (bang the memory card in and select your prints) printer for decent results from a point and shoot then I would recommend this.

 

[onefivenine]

I have a Selphy CP720 and think it is superb.
Quality - the photos look and feel like real photos. And apparently they'll last for 100 years.
No ink cartridges... you get packs of paper and a dye-sub cartridge thingy with the pack - very convenient - no faffing whatsoever.
It only does 6x4 but hey.
It's a great wee printer.

 

[SweetGirl]

I have a HP 7760.

Quality is FANTASTIC.

 

[Liquid101]

Decided to pick up a Little Canon Selphy - I happened to be next to the local Argos so popped in. They wanted £129 fpr the CP740, I had no idea what these things go for so I popped in the little number in the stock checker and it came up as £99.99 Bargain, I thought.

Anyway, I came away with the little printer and 108 sheets of paper and ribbon for £122.

So I get home, and consult the internet to check the price. Imagine my surprise when it a the CP740 was only 65 quid on Dabs. You expect there to be a few quid in it but thats a bit rich.

Now without wishing to turn this into a highstreet v web thing, I think it's important to note that Canon themselves list this with a SRP of £79. I might have been willing to pay the extra to have it in my hand if they hadn't been overcharging. Especialy when I found I paid more than double for the media.

Needless to say, I returned the little blighter to the smugfaced Brent type manager and bough the CP720 (slightly smaller LCD screen) for 45 quid from Amazon

I should have known better.

 

[beachy]

some of the jessops stores that are closing down have been selling canon selphy printers, not sure which model numbers but they have been going for about £35, also had some sagem ones for £21

 

[onefivenine]

I'm surprised at Argos charging that much over the Canon SRP... that shouldn't be legal!
Glad to hear you got a bargain in the end.

 

[Autopilot]

I was very impressed by the results from the Canon Selphy i was given a demonstration of at a music festival this summer. However, i was drunk and the girls taking peoples photos and printing them out for people were extremely attractive - so i might have been viewing it through my beer goggles.

 

[Liquid101]

My Canon Selphy 720 arrived today.

Set up and running in a few minutes. Very easy to use, not sure I like Canon software polluting my machine though.

Results are pretty good considering it's size and cost, compare very well with lab prints.

I like the idea of having a fixed number of prints per ribbon/paper pack, you know exactly where you are.

I bought 216 prints to get me started

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[cedmondson]

My Canon Selphy 720 arrived today.

Very easy to use, not sure I like Canon software polluting my machine though.

Ahhh - you've heard about the stealth functions then.... All .NEFs get noise added and a few spurious blown pixels. Well exposed photos are analysed and adjusted to look like they were taken by a Canon user (aka dribbling idiot). Random crops ensure that good compositions look mediocre etc etc etc.
I'll bet they even have the gall to give Selphy's a lightish (putty?) coloured finish to wind Nikonians up about their lenses?

[With tongue firmly in cheek & meant in fun ]

 

[Liquid101]

I'll bet they even have the gall to give Selphy's a lightish (putty?) coloured finish to wind Nikonians up about their lenses?

There was me thinking it was desgined for the white macbook it's attached too.

 

[senu]

My Canon Selphy 720 arrived today.

Set up and running in a few minutes. Very easy to use, not sure I like Canon software polluting my machine though.

I haven't seen any Nikon printers anywhere.. yet so stop moaning! Fancing saying "Taken by Nikon Printed by Canon"

Results are pretty good considering it's size and cost, compare very well with lab prints.

Thats more like it

I like the idea of having a fixed number of prints per ribbon/paper pack, you know exactly where you are.

I bought 216 prints to get me started

Thanks for the recommendations.

Glad you're liking it . Do you have any idea what the longevity of prints is though? ..

 

[Liquid101]

Do you have any idea what the longevity of prints is though? ..

It says on the the box they'll last for 100 years if stored in an album. We'll see about that.

Having said that, I have some 10 year old Kodak dye sub prints which look like new. I have various inkjet prints that are much younger than that which have faded considerably - even the ones by Epson and Lyson pigmented inks.

It appears to put a clear UV protecting on as the final pass - that'll help.

 

[mg-paul]

I have one of the Sony ones and it seems to do a cracking job. Best is that it is small and portable, so often take it down with a laptop to visit my parents and can then print any favourites off for them.

Pricewise it does work out more expensive than having then printed commercially but the ease and immediacy of using it get from me.

 

[Autopilot]

It says on the the box they'll last for 100 years if stored in an album. We'll see about that.

Will you?

 

[h4rri]

Whats the price of consumables like?

Might get the missus one for her P&S, quick check shows around £8 for £36 exposures :|

 

[onefivenine]

Whats the price of consumables like?

Might get the missus one for her P&S, quick check shows around £8 for £36 exposures :|

Dunno where you were looking - 35mm development and printing? - but search around for product code KP-108IP
pack of 108 prints - about £15 eg amazon

 

[Liquid101]

Will you?

I said we'll see, not I'll see

KP-108IP
pack of 108 prints - about £15

Yep, I bought 2 of these packs - not the best value in the world, but much more convenient than a trip to a photo machine and much better quality than inkjet (IMO)

 

[onefivenine]

Yep, I bought 2 of these packs - not the best value in the world, but much more convenient than a trip to a photo machine and much better quality than inkjet (IMO)

Yeah maybe the price per print (say 15p or so) puts some people off, but when you see and feel the quality, add the convenience and lack of faffing with separate colour cartriges, instant delivery, the small size, the lifespan of the prints, the fact you can take it on holiday and make your own postcards...
photobox is 10p per print unless your order is over 150 prints, and you have to upload them, wait for delivery. As for going to a shop, petrol, time...

I can;t think of many negative things to say about the Selphy!
Apart from it takes 60 secs per print but if that's the only downside...