Which dye sub printer is best value for money?

Twizzel

Twizzel

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Rach
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I am looking for a dye sub printer :D I need it to print up to 9x6 but there are so many out there that I don't really know where to start. Some people have suggested Olmec, others Kodak, others have pointed me in the Mitsubishi direction.

I have a limited budget so am also looking at second hand, possibly £500-£600, depends whether I decide to sell my beloved sigma 10-20. Also what size generator do you need to run 1 printer and a laptop?

Thankyou in advance!!
 
The Hi Ti is a good starter dye sub, I'm sure there was one for sale on here a while ago.
 
This really, really depends on what you're intending to shoot and print.

As you're asking about a generator I'm presuming that it's some kind of outdoor event - sport ?

I've used Mitsubishi for 7 years now and highly recommend them.

Generator wise, for outdoor events I run 2 servers, 4 dyesubs, 16 viewing screens (including sales) and assorted chargers etc on a 2KW genny and it rarely goes above idle speed, so 1KW is more than enough.

It depends upon what your expansion plans are.. if any.
 
I'm sure Mark Amies will be along in a moment to advise on printers, but I thought that Copal were no more.. though I might be wrong.

Equestrian is a highly competitive area of photography. Events that are worth attending are usually covered by experienced photographers who have the setup to maximise income.

However you start, I'd recommend that you at least get a second monitor to mirror the laptop so that you can better show the images.
 
Jerm said:
I'm sure Mark Amies will be along in a moment to advise on printers, but I thought that Copal were no more.. though I might be wrong.

Equestrian is a highly competitive area of photography. Events that are worth attending are usually covered by experienced photographers who have the setup to maximise income.

However you start, I'd recommend that you at least get a second monitor to mirror the laptop so that you can better show the images.
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Had a look and you can still get media for Copal printers so in that respect it's ok.

Yes I know equestrian are v competitive, have worked for other photographers for a number of years, however a lot down this way have packed up. I still have a good income from freelance work at large shows, so whatever events I cover when I'm at home is extra £ in the bank so to speak. Down this neck of the woods there are only 2 photographers, 1 of which is doing minimal work, and since covering events on my own I've had 3 riding clubs and 2 equestrian centres approach me to cover their shows... so there is definitely a market.
 
Excellent - then go for it.

Personally - and especially if you're sure(ish) of your market - I'd buy a new dye sub. The extra cost gets you a brand new machine with a 2 year warranty and no worries about where it's been, how its been used etc.

Oh.. and do plan for expansion. The more you do the more you'll want to either expand to cover larger shows or make life easier for yourself.
 
How predictable. Here I am! :)

Seriously, though, the subject of second hand dye subs is complex. Yes Copal machines - DPB 4000, DPB 6000 can still be used, in fact you can use Fuji media as well as another. No they are no longer freely on the UK market. They make machines for Fuji ( ASK4000, ASK2500).

By the way Kodak printers do not print up to 6x9" , they stop short at 6x8".

Jeremy is correct, buying a new machine is a wise decison if you are investing into your business, from a basic point of view of things like warranty , and knowledge of useage.
 
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What I will say Rachel , is that the Copal printers are quite heavy - the DPB 6000 is about 2Okg's , the DPB4000 about 30kgs.

The newer machines out there now weigh in at about 13-14kg's - they being made by DNP (DS40 & DSRX1),Fuji, ( the ASK300), HiTi ( P510) and Mitsubishi ( CPD70/707).
 
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Yes I have been warned they are heavy, it is the dpb6000 I'm looking at.

I really can't afford to buy new my budget is quite tight (read very tight!) i wasnt even planning on on site printing until next year but things are going so well this season and everyone is asking if i will do on site... The copal printer in question is owned by a tog I freelance for so history is known...
 
The option is to hire Rachel
 
Rachael, in fairness I have never used either printer, been sat in the corner of my office for 9 months. They came with a lorry I bought, as I already have 4 Olmecs and 2 DNP's I did not want to complicate the matter further. I did warn you they are heavy as others have also.

I have ordered media from Mark today for both printers, so will road test them. I am not fussed either way as they can live at home or in one of my static trailers.

If budget is consideration and weight then get a Hiti 730, cheap, portable and acceptable quality. Media pack changing will be more frequent than a roll fed printer and will also cost more per print, IIRC they don't accomodate 6x9.

As with all of these, you get what you pay for. The Copal at £250 was I thought a decent price for a robust printer. Not new not flash, not the lightest or latest You possible return on investment - one average days takings should see that paid printer for ...

I have owned 5 Olmec OP1000's, of which I still have 4. I traded in one with Photomart when I bought a DS80 8x12 Realising my mistake Ithen bought another from Mark at £150 more than my trade in price- daft or what? The damaged Olmec I offered you last year has since been repaired by my lorry mechanic no less, who uses it for his daughter who is dabbling with photos, you could have had that!

Just checked the Olmec sitting on my desk and it has done 20037 prints. My 4 Olmec's have cost me around £2k in total, as only 1 was bought new.
 
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Yes kicking myself about that Olmec, oh well last year I wasn't planning to cover events on my own, it's funny how circumstances change over 12 months and hindsight is a wonderful thing!

If you can test the Copal and see about print quality I am very interested in it especially as it accommodates 6x9 and 7x5 and media is still available for it, we now have a small generator to run a printer... even if it is just a starter printer like you say it should pay for itself on a good day. Weight doesn't bother me too much as I won't be at events on my own- my brother will be there to run the stand as he's a computer geek!

I'll get back to you by the weekend for definite :)
 
Twizzel said:
Yes kicking myself about that Olmec, oh well last year I wasn't planning to cover events on my own, it's funny how circumstances change over 12 months and hindsight is a wonderful thing!

If you can test the Copal and see about print quality I am very interested in it especially as it accommodates 6x9 and 7x5 and media is still available for it, we now have a small generator to run a printer... even if it is just a starter printer like you say it should pay for itself on a good day. Weight doesn't bother me too much as I won't be at events on my own- my brother will be there to run the stand as he's a computer geek!

I'll get back to you by the weekend for definite :)
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Hindsight= wisdom gained at great expense.

I have ordered the unbranded media so will be interested in the print quality.

Let your brother do the kit humping and you the photos, until it's raining at which point it's your turn to run the stand and his chance to do photos!
 
spidge said:
Hindsight= wisdom gained at great expense.

I have ordered the unbranded media so will be interested in the print quality.

Let your brother do the kit humping and you the photos, until it's raining at which point it's your turn to run the stand and his chance to do photos!
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That's the plan Peter! Let me know how the print test goes :)
 
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