printing photos on when travelling

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:13
ThreadID: 69665 Views:2559 Replies:6 FollowUps:10
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Hi guys, I'm after some guidance regarding printing digital photos. The printer is for my parents when they are travelling. They do not spend much time near large towns with printing facilities, and do not have email service. So I'm wanting a compact printer which can print off a camera sd card or cable without the need for a computer. I was hoping to set the printer up and they just have to insert the card and press 'go' so to speak. I have had a quick look on the internet and I think something like a canon 'selphy' printer fits the bill. My question is- does anyone know what the print quality is like? Also- how easy are they to use? I was hoping to encourage them to print off their images and post them as they travel, rather than come home with x hundred shots still on the camera which then never get printed and no-one ever sees because suddenly it's all to hard - if you know what I mean. Thanks, doc.
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Reply By: howie - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:50

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:50
all printers should state their capabilities. you have to way up if a portable printer has the quality you want.
looking at the canon, it does the same as my daughters kodak docking/printer thing by passing the photo thru 4 times. they are very handy.
Print quality is "excellent with good colour and high resolution" apparently.
it is mentioned that the software doesn't work with vista straight off (what does!), but a fix can be downloaded.
on the same theme, a mate of mine always copies his sd card twice, posts one home occaisionally and keeps a spare copy with him in case of trouble/loss.
i'm sure there is a machine that could copy the sd card, then get it sent to you.

AnswerID: 369195

Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:52

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 19:52
Hi oz doc. I use a Canon IP 6000 which prints excellent photos. The downside I have found is it works out quite a bit more expensive than the big Electrical stores will print them for(their average price is 25c for 6x4 prints) The printer can get up over 75c with good paper and ink. If you print 6x4 you can only get three to an A4 sheet. You need a cutter to seperate the photos. After all that using good Canon ink I have found the prints starting to fade after three years. Hope that helps,Bob.
AnswerID: 369196

Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 20:02

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 20:02
Thanks Bob, the Canon Selphy that I was looking at just prints photos sized prints, using a 'dye sublimation method' which is something to do with a thermal activated ribbon; anyway the printer then coats the final result in a uv resistant coating and apparently the prints can be handled immediately without smudging and last for "100 years". On my calculations the prints work out at approximately 37c each. The printer itself is meant to be "smaller than your average lunchbox" I tried to ask the young technical lad at the local hardley normal store but all I got was a blank look. cheers, doc
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Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 20:14

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 20:14
They are going to have to be somewhere semi civilized to post the shots. They are therefore going to be close to email terminals. I think a better solution would be to get them onto email and transfer shots via computer and email. Am I correct in thinking that they are like my parents and don't want anything to do with computers? Maybe it would be easier to just have a few sd cards that they can post to a member of the family who could download and email them out to the rellies, then post the memory card to the PO at their next expected stop where they can use it again.
AnswerID: 369203

Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 23:19

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 23:19
Hi Mf, you are correct - they are not really email savvy. Having to resize photos and send them is not going to be within their capabilities. The towns that they go to ususally do not have internet either- just a servo/corner store (which doubles as bank and post office) and a few sundry services. They usually go out bush for 2 weeks at a time and only come back into town to replenish their drinking water supplies and a few food items. You may be right with your idea of posting the sd card, I just thought it would be nice for them to see what they are taking photos of. cheers. doc
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Reply By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 22:02

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 22:02
I have a canon Selphy printer, small and lightweight (yellow - fits in its own carry bucket with handle) which I bought specifically to carry in the van and print all my postcards on it.

It will only print on special Canon paper, most of which has a 'postcard' reverse side - packs come with ink cartridge. This is more expensive than having them printed somewhere along the way but very convenient. From memory the packs cost around $30 for 36 sheets (ink included) but they are sometimes available on special for around $20.

I use mine either connected to the laptop or the camera and they also have a slot to insert memory cards which I havent used. I edit pics on the laptop frst but this can be done on the printer as well.

Print quality is pretty good considering the price of the printer and they are very simple to use.

Heather G

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AnswerID: 369224

Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 22:04

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 22:04
Forgot to mention that it works with Vista.
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Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 23:07

Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 23:07
Thanks Heather. I thought the ink and paper pack for 39.00 was for 108 sheets of paper? Did I get this wrong?ta, doc.
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Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 09:32

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 09:32
Not too sure on the prices. My daughter managed to get me a few packs around Christmas which were on special for $19.95 for 36 sheets. (KP - 36IP). They were around $10 more in my local shop at the time. Maybe they are cheaper online somewhere.
I know bigger packs up to 108 sheets are available but not sure who stocks them or can order them for you. You may be able to buy direct from Canon if you check their website.
Cheers,
Heather
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:39

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:39
From past experience I would suggest you keep them on a card and get them printed at a shop.
It is cheaper and the pics will last much longer as the inks are better and the resolution can also be better.

Pictures done on a home printer and left open to sunlight will be gone in a year.
So far I have over 1000 pics stored on a HDD and when I get home will take time to edit them and put the best on a CD.

Have found from 40 years of taking holiday pics that only you are really interested in them and there is nothing worse than sitting through 2 hours of someone elses pics.
I know its different for family but have found this repeatedly.
Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:40

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:40
I have a tiny HP Printer that does 6x4 prints using standard paper and even uses the same print cartridges as my A4 printer/scanner I use at home. It has a colour LCD for selecting and previewing pics so no PC needed. The quality is amazing.

I would not buy the Canon printers that need special paper - always more expensive, and you won't be able to get it when you need it in a remote area.
AnswerID: 369280

Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:44

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:44
Hi Mike,

I'm looking at a tiny printer, do you have details of the HP? My little EEEpc feels overwhelmed by these large printers and something tiny makes sense to me for the occasional printing need whilst away.

Kind regards

Theo
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 12:51

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 12:51
The SMALLEST colour printer you can get is the Polaroid PoGo - $198 from Officeworks.

It's a pity it only does 2x3" prints !!!
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Reply By: DIO - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:41

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:41
The simplest and cheapest way of solving your problem is to buy your parents a few extra SD cards and when they reach a town with a post box just send of the SD from their camera to you. They can then use one of the SD's you supplied to put back into their camera and so on. You get their cards and print off photos as well as maintaining a back=up for them. SD cards are very cheap (compared to a few years ago) especially from places like Big W, K-Mart etc.
AnswerID: 369281

Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:52

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:52
good in theory until they go missing in the post...

there are stand-alone devices that copy a memory card to a CD/DVD, that might be a better option to post.
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Follow Up By: oz doc - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 14:54

Wednesday, Jun 10, 2009 at 14:54
Hi Dio-you know the more I think about it- the more I think you are correct. I thought that if I made it easy they could print off the photos and write descriptions on the back etc and send them on to me. However I think that a couple of sd cards would be more practical for them. Yes they could go missing in the post but if there were any really important photos they could send it registered mail.
Thanks to all whom replied. Cheers, doc.
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