Stand-alone Photo Printers

crocodile

crocodile

Suspended / Banned
Messages
428
Edit My Images
No
My missus is nagging me for a photo printer to use at home as my old HP all-in-one isn't really up to it. Something like the stand-alone Canon Selphys. Problem is that after some (admittedly brief) research, they all seem geared towards 6"x4" paper. I find this rather surprising given that most, if not all, non-dSLR sensors are 4:3.

Can't find any 6"x4.5" paper either for use in the Pixma range. First stop for correct ratio seems to be 8"x6".

Am I missing something here?
 
Ive just used my Canon Pixma IP5000 as a stand alone for the first time... its a bit big for continued portability but it worked a treat.. all settings are made in camera (depending on your camera of course...mine is the Canon 30D)

I had a small epson picturemate first but never used it.. by a home printer.. use it at home with your pc and then take it with you if you go out?
 
Thanks Janice.

Portability isn't a requirement, just keeping her away from my PC! Every time she uses it I have to spend an hour putting things back where they belong. :eek:

A Pixma is definitely an option but as I said, doesn't seem to have paper available to suit 4:3 sensors. :shrug:
 
No they dont. do any of them do anything other than A4 and 6x4 then?
 
I took large jgs on sunday and printed out at 6x4 from camera straight to printer by lead. couldnt see any tiny bit cropped. guess there was always just a fair amount of space round the edges anyway so i didnt notice.
 
Create her a profile of her own on your desktop and do n't grant admin rights, that will stop her messing with your settings
 
Janice said:
No they dont. do any of them do anything other than A4 and 6x4 then?
Click to expand...
You can still get 7"x5" & A5 sizes. A5 is a closer match for 4:3 sensors but a bit big for everyday stuff.

Photobox offer 6"x4.5" prints so she may just have to make do with that.
Janice said:
I took large jgs on sunday and printed out at 6x4 from camera straight to printer by lead. couldnt see any tiny bit cropped. guess there was always just a fair amount of space round the edges anyway so i didnt notice.
Click to expand...
DSLR sensors are 3:2 so match 6"x4" paper perfectly.
Ross said:
Create her a profile of her own on your desktop and don't grant admin rights, that will stop her messing with your settings
Click to expand...
She has her own profile without Admin. Doesn't stop her buggering things up though. :lol:

Anyway, the REAL issue there is that my all-in-one does everything I need (including faxing) so don't really want to change it just so she can print the occasional photo. That's why the small footprint stand-alones looked attractive.
 
I have a Pixma ip6700d here, would recommend it to anybody. Duplex printing is an added bonus as well. You should be able to pick one up for just over £100.
 
With respect, it seems like you're all missing the point somewhat. What I'm questioning is the apparent lack of photo paper that matches the 4:3 image ratio of compact sensors.

I find this particularly surprising with the standalone printers that are often sold as a bundle with a camera. Be it HP, Kodak or Canon the issue seems to be that you have a 4:3 sensor producing a 4:3 image that you view on the camera's 4:3 LCD. Some of the printers have their own 4:3 LCD. You then print on 3:2 paper! :shrug:

This seems to leave the option of either artificially stretching the the image to fill the 3:2 paper or leaving a white border at the side(s)?

Or as I said in the original post, maybe I am missing something here?

She has a Canon S5 IS.
 
Sorry, I got it all mixed up. Thought you were looking for a device...
Btw., isn't there a 4"x6" paper that also has build in scissors for trimming unused paper?
I'm positive it could be done, just not sure whether it has been done.

Haven't heard of any paper formats that would be 4:3 or 5:4 and fairly small

I don't think there's a good way around this one except for having white edges which you could use for notes and stuff.

Not helping much, is it...
 
Slapo said:
Sorry, I got it all mixed up. Thought you were looking for a device...
Btw., isn't there a 4"x6" paper that also has build in scissors for trimming unused paper?
I'm positive it could be done, just not sure whether it has been done.

Haven't heard of any paper formats that would be 4:3 or 5:4 and fairly small

I don't think there's a good way around this one except for having white edges which you could use for notes and stuff.

Not helping much, is it...
Click to expand...
:lol:

I AM looking for a device but not if it can't do the job properly without either cropping the image or cutting the paper. I just find it bizarre that 4:3 paper doesn't seem to exist. Even the 8"x6" that I referenced in my original post appears to have been discontinued. :cuckoo:
 
Remember if you don't mind waiting for prints you can use a service like http://www.photobox.co.uk/. You have to pay for it (well duh) but the quality is usually considered to be better and when you think about the cost of ink etc the prices aren't bad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top