Lab/Shop prints VS my cheap Epson?

[EOS_JD]

I print on a Epson 4000 Pro at work and it is crap next to the photo lab print. Even at 2600 doi. It uses 8 cartridges at a whopping $115 a pop. Granted, it is a large cartridge...but is is a pain in the @$$ to set up. ICC profile, print profile, color space, paper profile, paper size, etc. It collects dust now. I rather shop out my prints. Less head-ache. Just convert ot a large JPEG, specify working space and off it goes. The paper and ink is suppose to last 100 years or so according to Kodak.

If you don't like it I'll take it off your hands

If this printer functions correctly and the correct paper/ink profgiles are being used then it should easily perform as well if not better than a lab. I compared a couple of prints from my R2400 the other day to some lab prints and I honestly thought there was very little difference. In fact the couple who bought the images couldn't tell the difference and picked the R2400 images as better!!!

The 4000 is also an awesome printer in the right hands.

 

[Ls3D]

The 4000 is also an awesome printer in the right hands.

This too is the type of feedback I was looking for.

-Shea

 

[mrodgers]

Talking about printers, I have a question.

My wife stated she is not fond of digital cameras over film cameras (snapshots of b-day parties, simple P&S stuff) because the pictures always look way too brightly colored in printed pictures.

I just got my camera yesterday and getting a 4x6 photo printer for Christmas. I've never printed digital pictures from the computer my self. But we've received many pictures from digi-cams from other family members and they all look like they are printed a bit too bright (like fluorescent toned would be a good description) in color.

I'm wondering if that is resulting from the photo shot (ie. camera settings), the fact that it's a digital pic, photo editing, or the way the little 4x6 printers print.

 

[adolan20]

The people who take the pictures usually do some editing. They usually make them brighter than they should in my experience. I work in a photo lab and see people do this all the time. With that said, it could also be the paper its printed on.

 

[Happy Hour]

Obviously, you're limited in size - the lab can print bigger than you.
As Happy Hour said, your per-picture cost will be higher (they're set up for mass production, you're not).

One thing I wonder about is how long the inks & paper will last printing at home (how long the print will last). I don't know, but I would think the lab prints would last longer. That's just a guess though...

Well using expensive Kodak paper I've had them turn Yellow after about a year or two. I have a printer just for pictures and the ink doesnt last. about 10 -8"x10" s and its out of ink.

 

[dpolston]

I haven't read all the post on this one so forgive me if this has been said. I talked last year to a HP rep at the local CompUSA. I wasn't buying a printer then but I told him I was a photographer and we just chit chatted a while. Long story short, I told him I didn't print my own stuff and he passed along a tidbit of info I thought interesting.

He said that to fill up an average champagne bottle with black ink would cost $1,500. I just thought that was an interesting fact.

(probably has nothing to do with this post...just thought I'd "share")

 

[soylentgreen]

If you don't like it I'll take it off your hands

If this printer functions correctly and the correct paper/ink profgiles are being used then it should easily perform as well if not better than a lab. I compared a couple of prints from my R2400 the other day to some lab prints and I honestly thought there was very little difference. In fact the couple who bought the images couldn't tell the difference and picked the R2400 images as better!!!

The 4000 is also an awesome printer in the right hands.

I agree that it is a good printer, that why we got it at work, but for prints to go on my wall or gallery.....maybe not. The colors come out a bit muted especially on glossy paper where true-black is required. I expected better quality when 3 black cartridges are used. With everything set-up to spec, even certain areas of the print lose the luster in dark pigmented areas. I mainly use it for color proofing design work before out-sourcing any final outputs. Mostly larger format stuff. I believe Epson discontinued the 4000 series and stuck with the 4800.