Dye Sub upto 8x6

Andy_S_T

Andy_S_T

Suspended / Banned
Messages
517
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
Yes
Looking for some ideas on what would be a good starter Dye Sub for use at smallish sporting events. I would like to be able to print up to 8x6, speed isn't too important, as I'm not expecting massive sales.

Thanks Andy.
 
I second that idea - Mark at Photomart is the man when it comes to dye subs...

Watch too - the media costs - some are much more expensive to run....

I have a Sony Snaplab - theres a big version that does 8x6 - handy as they can be used with a touchscreen and a very unskilled operator...
 
I would suggest considering 6x9 as an option - it is the most favoured size for Event Photographers.

Grham will explain why.
 
MARK AMIES said:
Grham will explain why.
Click to expand...

Thanks MarK! :bat:

6x9 is generally used by event photographers as it represents full frame from the camera. This speeds up your workflow from camera to printer if you get the framing right in camera. Some still prefer to offer 8x6 as it is a more recognised photo size. The obvious danger here is you will loose some off the edges so very important to frame in camera to allow for this if offering 8x6 (not so with 9x6 and of course slightly larger print to offer!).As the paper size in any 9x6 printer is 6" wide this means you have the option to offer either 8x6 or 9x6 but not if the max print area is only 8x6 (as with some makes).

Another couple of points worth taking into account is the printing speed and cost per print. Media for the cheaper printers is generally more expensive than higher priced dye subs and are usually slower. Another issue could be weight and physical size so worth looking at both these points. Phone Mark at Photomart and he'll give you the full sp on all the printers he stocks or better still if in travelling distance call in for a demo :thumbs:
 
Last edited:
Thanks fo rth advice guys.

Do any of you know anything about the MITSUBISHI CP3020DAE. It doesn't look fast but I kind of like the idea of offering 10x8 or 12x8 prints, media doesn't look cheap though.
 
What budget do you have in mind? Have a look at the DNP DS40 - 6" x 9" prints as standard - pretty quick and reasonably portable in terms of size and weight. Media is reasonable - and the results are good!
 
Andy , the CP3020 is a sheet feed dye sub, as good as it is as a machine , it is slower than a roll feed, and the price per print is higher. Most event guys use roll feeds, for speed and cost.

The nearest equivalent to the 3020 is the Mitsubihi CP3800, which is very simlar to teh DNP DS80.

If you do a larger size print , you wil have to charge the going rate , which wil be approx £15-20. Most event guys in the UK charge £10 for a 6x9, in a mount.
 
I use both DNP DS40 (upto 9x6) and DS80 (upto 12x8) If I have any problems with the DS40 I can always print 2 on 12x8 with the DS80 :thumbs:
 
Budget will be a key factor - but also get feedback from others who use certain types of printer. I know Graham uses a DNP (although I don't know him personally btw - just from what he's said above) - I use a DNP - and I know a few others that do as well. Have a look at the dimensions of this range compared to some of the bigger names, and it might surprise you that compared to a lot of models - how small these ones are. And they're easy to load! General ease of use from me gets top marks. I know there aren't many UK suppliers of the DNP yet - but with some other stuff going on with Sony (They're pulling out of dye subs) - DNP will be making the bits for them from now on... So if it's good enough for Sony - it's good enough for me :)
 
Just to iterate Chris's commnets there- DNP will be manufacturing and distributing Sony print media.
 
So did you find the one you were looking for Andy? Just wondering what you decided on - whether you chose the DNP. If you did - wondering how you're finding it :)
 
If you're after a budget starter, eg to test the water, there's always the older Hiti printers, eg the 730ps - you can get them cheap off ebay, but the print media is expensive and they're pretty slow.
 
Not purchased anything as yet, been looking into what's around and what is available. While a new DS40 would be lovely I'm not surre I want to commit that much money as yet. I have been hoping a 730ps would come up, but the one recently hear was sold instantly, so by the time I'd looked into it more it was gone. I think I may end up going for something like a Misubishi CP9550 or Sony UP-DR150 if I can find a good used example.
 
So what price do you have in mind?

The reason I ask is that since I bought mine (probably a year or so ago) the price has remained pretty static, with no real offers or promos as such - however whilst getting a few supplies recently I spotted that you can get some cashback deals on a few printers, but the offers seem to end soon. Unless the prices are about to dramatically drop (which I can't see happening) then this looks like a pretty good deal at the moment. Since buying mine I've not seen it this cheap:

DNP with cashback

Might be worth a look? Buying new will get you a guarantee that I think was a year when I bought mine, but now is 2 years (but you'd have to check that). If it is 2 years - that's 2 years worry free :) One of the users on here that I've met in real life had a great saying - and I can tell you it's very true - buy once - buy right....

In the past I've bought lots of 'second hand items' - some have been great - some have been absolute nightmares! Now I'm very careful when I buy.
 
Last edited:
Just bear in mind, getting hold of a new Mitsubishi CP9550 DW is going to be hard for the next 3 months. They are held back in production. Thye have not been discontinued.

Sony UPDR150 is out of production, it was replaced by UPDR200.

The second hand market is there, but do be careful. Always check how many prints the machine has done,and waht enviroment it has been in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top