RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘printer’

Canon Australia announces the PIXMA PRO-200 professional photo printer with an 8-ink system

04 Sep

Canon Australia has announced the release of the PIXMA PRO-200, Canon’s latest professional desktop photo printer.

Although the PRO-200 is the successor of the PIXMA PRO-100, it takes its design cues from Canon’s more advanced imagePROGRAF lineup, and looks indistinguishable from the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, aside from a few small details.

The new A3+ printer features a new eight-color dye ink system, an increase in two cartridges from the PRO-100 and one fewer catridges than the imagePROGRAF PRO-300. Canon says a standard high-quality A3+ (11”x14”) bordered color print can be completed in 90 seconds and the printer now features better media capabilities, with ‘the ability for professional photographers to print on a range of photo paper surfaces and finishes up to 0.6mm thickness in addition to producing panorama size prints and gallery wrap support functions.’

The maximum print resolution is 4800 (horizontal) by 2400 (vertical) dpi and printing is done via 6,144 total nozzles (768 per ink color).

The PRO-200 offers three connection methods: Wi-Fi, ethernet and USB, and has a three-inch LCD display on the front to view settings, ink capacities and navigate through the menu. It measures in at 639mm (25.2”) by 379mm (15”) by 200mm (7.9”) and weighs approximately 14.1kg (32lbs).

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_9110528320″,”galleryId”:”9110528320″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

No mention of pricing or availability has been made at this time, but you can peruse the product page on Canon Australia’s website. We’ve contacted Canon for additional details and will update the article accordingly if we receive a response.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Canon Australia announces the PIXMA PRO-200 professional photo printer with an 8-ink system

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Canon debuts imageProGraf Pro-300 13″ inkjet printer

13 Jul

Canon has announced a new small-footprint inkjet photo printer, the imageProGraf Pro-300. It produces prints up to 13 x 19″ with approximate print speeds as fast as 4 minutes and 15 seconds. The Pro-300 uses 9-color LUCIA PRO plus Chroma Optimizer ink as well as a new matte black ink for improved black density. Users can monitor print status and ink levels via a 3″ LCD. It will go on sale later this month for $ 900.

Also unveiled is the new Premium Fine Art Rough paper with a textured surface. Canon says it’s suitable for long-term storage and 25-pack sheets will cost $ 45 for letter size, $ 110 for 13 x 19″ and $ 170 for 17 x 22″. The new paper is also expected to go on sale later in July.

Press release:

DEAR IMAGE MAKERS: CANON’s new imageprograf PRO-300 PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY PRINTS AND OFFERS NEWLY UPDATED SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

New Premium Fine Art Paper for Professional, Advanced Amateur Photographers and Art Lovers Further Benefitting Image Makers also Introduced

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 9, 2020 –– After taking the time to create your ideal photo, every creative image maker should look to complete the process with a vibrant print to share for everyone to admire. Completing the lineup of professional printer options from 13 inches through 60 inches, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, unveils today the new 13-inch Canon imagePROGRAF? PRO-300 Inkjet Printer along with a new Premium Fine Art Rough paper. Providing an improved workflow and high-quality output within a smaller footprint compared to previous models, this new printer excels at professional printing performance. Combined with the new Premium Fine Art Rough paper that features a textured surface to express the depth of an image, the printer along with the paper introduces a new powerhouse professional imaging duo that meets creators’ demands.

“With the introduction of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300, we are continuing our outstanding tradition of creating great quality printers for a variety of image makers, making it easier to print work at home,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president of the Canon U.S.A., Inc. Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “As the creative responsibilities of our customers have evolved and the importance of preserving historic moments has increased, it is imperative the features Canon integrates into new solutions and consumables meet the needs, wants and asks of our customers.”

Smaller Footprint Completes the Lineup
There has been a shift in what traditional work and school looks like over the last few months, as many creative-focused jobs, industries and areas of study now require tasks to be completed in non-traditional ways. Without access to a studio, office space or classroom with all the necessary tools and equipment, there is no better time to introduce a professional printer that is 15% smaller than its predecessor. With the addition of the new 13-inch Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 printer, the lineup of professional inkjet printers expands while offering a new space-saving design that is fitting for a home studio or office.

Core features of the newest printer include:

  • 9-color LUCIA PRO plus Chroma Optimizer ink providing expanded color gamut and enhanced black density
  • New matte black ink offering greater black density, smooth gradations and details in darker areas
  • Technologies to help prevent print failures such as a nozzle recovery system and a skew correction function. Nozzles are carefully checked by sensors, and if a clog is detected in one nozzle, others will automatically compensate for it
  • Updates to the Professional Print & Layout software to help create seamless photo printing from image-editing software including Digital Photo Professional and Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe Lightroom, or as stand-alone software
  • Improved media compatibility with the additional capability to support panorama-sized paper, and multiple feeding methods for media of varying thicknesses
  • High-speed printing at up to approximately 4 minutes and 15 seconds1 for a bordered 13” x 19” inch print when using Photo Paper Pro Premium paper
    The usability of the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is also improved with the addition of a 3.0 inch LCD display, allowing the user to check printer status and monitor ink levels at a glance.

New Fine Art Paper
Continuing the theme of high quality to use with the new imagePROGRAF PRO-300 printer: new Premium Fine Art Rough paper is now available in a variety of sizes including 17 inches by 22 inches, 13 inches by 19 inches and Letter sized within a pack of 25 sheets. To help express the depth of an image and add a three-dimensional touch, the new paper consists of a rough texture. The cotton used to create the paper provides a luxurious touch and makes it suitable for long-term storage.

Pricing and Availability of the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 and Premium Fine Art Rough paper
The imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Printer will be available later in July with an MSRP price of $ 899.99*. Premium Fine Art Rough paper will also be available later in July for an MSRP* of:

  • $ 44.99, Letter size
  • $ 109.99, 13” x 19” inches
  • $ 169.99, 17” x 22” inches

For more information and the full list of product specifications, visit http://shop.usa.canon.com

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Canon debuts imageProGraf Pro-300 13″ inkjet printer

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Canon launches its latest pocket-sized photo printer, the Selphy Square QX10

14 Feb

Although not nearly as exciting as its impending R5 mirrorless camera, the T8i or the 24–105mm F4–7.1, Canon has also announced the release of the Selphy Square QX10, its latest ultra-compact photo printer.

The Selphy Square has a built-in rechargeable battery and uses thermal transfer dye-sublimation to print images up to 68mm x 68mm (2.7in x 2.7in) with 287dpi resolution. The printer is rated for up to 20 prints on each charge, with each print taking roughly 43 seconds from start to finish.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_1111272077″,”galleryId”:”1111272077″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

The printer uses a new square-format ‘sticker-type paper’ Canon is calling XS-20L that has a specialized coating that ‘protects against splashes, spills, and fading for up to 100 years when stored in an album,’ according to Canon.

The Canon Selphy Square QX10 printer is available in black, green, pink and white for $ 150, while 20-pack of paper and ink will set you back $ 15. You can find out more information about the Selphy Square on Canon’s product page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Canon launches its latest pocket-sized photo printer, the Selphy Square QX10

Posted in Uncategorized

 

DNP Photo launches new dye sublimation printer with mobile support and more

28 Jan

DNP Photo has released its new QW410 compact dye-sublimation photo printer featuring a 4.5in print head, 5.9kg (13lbs) weight and relatively small dimensions at 20 x 19.6 x 24cm (8 x 7.75 x 9.5in). When compared to the maker’s DS-RX1HS and DS620A models, the QW410 has 28% and 35% lower power consumption, respectively.

The model offers a number of key features, including a lay-flat printing function that reduces print curl, support for glossy and matte photo paper, an optional wireless accessory that add supports for directly printing from Android, iOS, Windows and macOS, as well as print speeds as fast as 19 seconds for 4 x 6in prints.

The QW410 features a 300 x 300 dpi resolution and support for the following print sizes:

  • 4 X 6in
  • 4 X 4in
  • 4.5 X 8in
  • 4.5 X 4.5in

Photographers who need to print photos while away from the office can pair the QW410 with an optional portable battery for use without an outlet. DNP Photo also offers an optional carrying bag. The photo printer is available to purchase from several retailers like B&H Photo in the USA, Canada, and Latin America for $ 469.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on DNP Photo launches new dye sublimation printer with mobile support and more

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Fujifilm unveils the Instax Mini Link, its latest compact instant photo printer

02 Oct

Fujifilm has launched the Instax Mini Link, its latest photo printer designed to turn digital photos into analog Instax prints.

The handheld device works hand-in-hand with Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini Link app to share and print images wirelessly. Fujifilm says the device can transfer prints in ‘about 12 seconds’ and can print up to 100 Instax prints per charge.

The Instax Mini Link has special printing modes including called ‘Video Print’ and ‘Party Print.’ ‘Video Print’ lets you scrub through a video to capture a still to print with the devices, while ‘Party Print’ allows up to five different smartphones to pair together to create a collage of images in a single print. An additional ‘Surprise Mode’ within the ‘Party Print’ option will randomly scramble the images, ensuring the final print remains a mystery until it’s revealed.

Basic edits can be made to photos within the Instax Mini Link app and a collection of border options are available to for further customization. Fujifilm’s X Series and GFX System cameras can also be paired with the Instax Mini Link via the Fujifilm Camera Remote app—because who doesn’t want an instant print from a $ 4,499 51.4-megapixel camera body?

The Instax Mini Link printer will be available in blue, pink and white versions and is expected to retail for $ 99.95 when it becomes available to purchase on October 4, 2019. For more information, check out the Instax Mini Link website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Fujifilm unveils the Instax Mini Link, its latest compact instant photo printer

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Practical Color Management – How to Set Up Your Printer to Match Your Monitor

27 Sep

The post Practical Color Management – How to Set Up Your Printer to Match Your Monitor appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Herb Paynter.

practical-color-management

Matching the color you captured with your camera and edited on your computer screen can be a very serious challenge to reproduce on paper. The various technologies involved in the processes differ significantly from one another.

If you’ve ever encountered problems matching the color of your printed pictures to the color you see on your computer screen, there’s a pretty good reason why. Color is not as simple to define as that box of Crayons you played with as a child. Practical color management can be very complex.

Image: Caption: Dealing with color was a whole lot simpler when you were a kid; a box of Crayola cra...

Caption: Dealing with color was a whole lot simpler when you were a kid; a box of Crayola crayons had all the answers. Life got a bit more complicated when digital color came along. Now you really have to think.

 

Reproducing color

Reproducing color is a complicated issue to deal with, especially when it comes to transferring pixels to paper. Color is very subjective, and matching the results from one system to another can produce some very different looks. The term “color print” can mean many different things, depending on the type of printing technology you’re dealing with. Just because the image on your screen looks great doesn’t mean that what comes out of your printer will faithfully reproduce that same appearance.

practical-color-management

Large format, inkjet, and offset printing are just two of the color reproduction processes.

 

There are dozens of unique color printing machines and technologies on the market today, and most are inkjets, though occasionally we print pictures on color lasers, dye sublimation printers and several other types of printing devices. This means that four completely different technologies are trying to produce four different translations of a single color image and trying to make them all look the same.

And that’s just the beginning of the challenges because even different models of each of these printers (even from the same manufacturer) will produce slightly different results.

practical-color-management

Dye-sublimation and color laser printers present two more challenges.

 

Inks from these different technologies get sprayed, baked, fused and pushed into the (usually paper) substrate, each reproducing color using a completely different method. Some inkjet printers utilize up to twelve different colors of liquid ink, while others print only four colors. Laser printers fuse colored powder onto paper in geometric dot clusters called halftone cells. Dye sublimation printers laminate just three (CMY) colors of dyes from plastic sheets onto a substrate, and printing presses transfer four (CMYK) colors of peanut-butter consistency inks at high speeds and under extreme pressure.

Each of these different technologies attempts to reproduce a similar appearance from the same original color image.

Printing papers open up yet another can of worms to deal with. Each paper stock (let alone other textures and surfaces) come in a variety of shades of “white” and varying surface types that absorb ink and reflect light differently. Some inks are absorbed into the paper surfaces while others sit on top of the paper. These dozens of variables result in hundreds of differing results.

Getting all these color technologies to appear consistent makes the proverbial challenge of “herding of cats” sound easy. Is it any wonder why you’ll see slightly different results from different printers?

Image: Colorants is the word that encompasses all color distribution, including solid and liquid ink...

Colorants is the word that encompasses all color distribution, including solid and liquid inks, dyes, and even toner powders.

Dealing with color has always been a major challenge, even for professionals. The first thing you should realize is that accurately matching color between the various technologies is technically an impossibility. If you think otherwise, you simply haven’t been around long enough! I’m not trying to frighten you with all these variables and problems, but the more you recognize the differences, the more prepared you will be to make them work.

Here’s the good news…there is a very workable solution to all this confusion. Recognizing the underlying issues of each is the first step to reaching a workable solution. Each convoluted challenge requires a relatively simple solution; one that the color science community has provided through a process called color management, or CM.

At the heart of color management is an integral step called “profiling.” Profiling in color science is a very good thing. It simply involves identifying each process’ uniqueness and compensating for that uniqueness.

Here’s how the process works.

Image: The all-encompassing color measurement process that defines how human beings see and identify...

The all-encompassing color measurement process that defines how human beings see and identify colors is known as the Visible Spectrum. It’s defined and monitored by this worldwide organization.

 

The Reference Standard

The International Commission on Illumination, also known as the CIE (the Commission Internationale d’Eclarage), is a worldwide federation of color scientists, researchers, mathematicians, and lithographers who have developed a systematic approach to addressing color issues. They have researched all the colors that the human eye can actually see and identify. While there are scientific instruments that can see even more colors than the human eye can, the standard for all color perception remains limited to what the average human eye can recognize.

Studies were developed that produced the CIE 1931 XYZ color space, a measured collection of about 7 million colors that are recognized by human beings with 20-20 eyesight. This study established what science calls the Visible Spectrum based on these colors. While there are many more “color frequencies” in the Electromagnetic Spectrum, they are beyond the scope of human eyesight. Human eyesight is based then on the Visible Spectrum.

The CIE has mapped this collection of measured colors as an odd-looking horseshoe chart representing all visible colors. The color industry recognizes this system as the basis for evaluating colors recorded, viewed, and printed on cameras, monitors, and printers. The particular intent of this system is to standardize the output of photographic images on various color printers.

Since every color printing technology produces slightly different color results, this single XYZ collection remains THE reference color space. It serves as the holy grail of color reference. The XYZ space is the central reference for judging and evaluating all printed color.

Here’s how the system works…

practical-color-management

Color correction depends on accuracy. That accuracy depends on the confidence that what you are seeing on your monitor is an accurate depiction of what’s contained in the digital image file. Profiling a monitor is the critical first step.

Monitor profiling

Today’s computer monitors produce quite accurate colors right out of the carton. However, if you want to guarantee that the colors you see on your monitor are exactly the same colors that came out of your camera, you need to take this extra step.

The process is simple. Purchase a puck-like device like the X-Rite i1Studio spectrophotometer. Then hang it in front of your monitor and run the provided software that makes your monitor dance with colors while measuring the strength and hue of the colors flashing on the screen. This light show produces a monitor profile that gets stored on your computer and subsequently adjusts and corrects any errant colors. This allows you to see the whole truth of the color file, no muss, no fuss.

Printer/paper profiling

This next process should be equally painless. Most paper manufacturers provide downloadable profiles they’ve developed for their most popular printing papers and a wide variety of popular printers. Should you have to (or choose to) develop your own printer/paper/ink profile, you can do so using that same X-Rite i1 Studio.

Here’s how you do it…

practical-color-management

The next step in reproducing color accurately, is making certain that the colors seen on the monitor are printed faithfully onto specific printing papers. Each paper surface and color (whiteness) affects the way light is reflected, and the color is perceived.

  1. A test chart of carefully defined color patches (based on this CIE XYZ color space) is printed from the software provided with the i1 Studio. The printed patch values are then measured by the i1 Studio comparing the printed patch values produced by the X-Rite reference chart to the known XYZ values established by the CIE. The difference between these patch values is recorded as a “profile” or evaluation. This profile reveals the color personality of each printer and paper tested, making a note of where the colors don’t match the test file.
  2. In the parts of the color spectrum where the printed color values differ from the reference chart values, minor adjustment instructions are made to either boost or diminish colors to more closely match the reference chart.
  3. This profile is then placed in your computer’s printer profile folder where it can be referenced by your printer every time you print a picture. The result of choosing the correct profile from the list of papers offered by your printer driver should result in a print that closely resembles the colors you see on your screen.

While there is a whole lot more detail involved in this profiling process, this basic explanation should give you a general idea of the procedure.

Every time you change the paper type or change the brand of ink, a unique profile should be developed to ensure the printer achieves the most consistent, repeatable results.

Precision profiling is a time-consuming chore, and most mortals have neither the time nor the access to these specialized devices to ensure absolute accuracy. However, printer and paper manufacturers use even more expensive versions of these spectrophotometer devices to test their products and develop very accurate printer/paper profiles. These profiles are freely available for download from each manufacturer’s site.

Setting up the printer

When it comes time to print your picture, there are certain issues you must address and set correctly in the print driver. There are generally two ways to have the color file prepared for output: either the printer driver or Photoshop will handle the chores. The choice is up to you, though I recommend that you allow Photoshop to do the work.

Image: Each profiled paper/ink/printer combination manage the way inks (colorants) are distributed b...

Each profiled paper/ink/printer combination manage the way inks (colorants) are distributed by the printer. Color Management is the discipline of controlling all of the major variables involved in the process.

If you choose to have Photoshop manage the Colors:

  • First, take note of the paper loaded in the printer. Remember, each paper type reacts to the colorant (ink, powder, etc.) differently, and your printer has no way of knowing what paper is in the hopper.
  • Second, choose File -> Print.
  • Third, choose Photoshop Manages Colors.
  • For Printer Profile, select the profile that best matches your output device and paper type.
  • Set the “rendering intent” selection to either Perceptual (which tells the printer to try to preserve the visual relationship between colors, which is what the human eye does) or Relative Colorimetric (this instructs the printer to shift the out-of-gamut colors to the closest reproducible color).
  • When available, always check Black Point Compensation as it adjusts the overall baseline for the deepest shadow point in the image.

If you choose to have the Printer manage the Colors:

  • First, realize that all of the controls for color and range in the image will be controlled by the printer and not by you.
  • Make certain that you pay close attention to all the items in the print dialog that appears after you click “Print” from the Photoshop dialog.
  • Since every printer and print technology differs, little further advice can be offered. This is not to infer that inferior results will occur, just that Photoshop relinquishes control to you and your printer’s manufacturer.

Final thoughts

If good-enough color is good enough for you, then the simple act of noting the general type of paper (coated, glossy, matte, etc.) available will suffice and satisfy your needs. However, if you extensively adjust your images for color fidelity in the editing process and demand absolute color accuracy, then employing accurate monitor and printer profiles is essential for practical color management.

The printer and paper manufacturers have done most of the hard work of producing and honoring accurate profiles. Your job is to make intelligent pull-down menu choices that will seriously affect your printing results.

It may not be rocket science, but it is color science.

Happy printing!

 

practical-color-management

The post Practical Color Management – How to Set Up Your Printer to Match Your Monitor appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Herb Paynter.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Practical Color Management – How to Set Up Your Printer to Match Your Monitor

Posted in Photography

 

Comparative review: The best pocket printer in 2019

27 Jan
From left to right: Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2, Canon Ivy, Polaroid ZIP

With the resurgence of the instant camera, photographers and non-photographers alike have found a new love for printed photos. Enter pocket printers, a recent addition to the accessories market that offer portable, fast and simple photo printing. These pocket printers all work in basically the same way: They’re powered by rechargeable batteries, and once you connect your smartphone or camera via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth you pick your image, make an edit via the app (if you want to) and then click print.

Our selections were the Polaroid ZIP, Canon Ivy and Fujifilm Instax Share SP2

For a lot of photographers, these printers will feel a little gimmicky, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t useful and fun. So, we took three of the most popular models and played around with them to see which one we like best. Our selections were the Polaroid ZIP, Canon Ivy and Fujifilm Instax Share SP2, though it should be noted that many other brands have comparable offerings including HP and Kodak.

Specifications compared

Polaroid ZIP Canon IVY Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2
Dimensions 2.9 x 4.7 x 0.9 in 3.2 x 4.7 x 0.7 in 3.5 x 5.2 x 1.5 in
Weight 6.6 oz. (186g) 5.6 oz. (159g) 8.8 oz. (250g)
Powered by Micro USB Micro USB Micro USB
Battery Rechargeable 500mAh Lithium Polymer battery Rechargeable 500mAh Lithium Polymer battery Rechargeable 500mAh Lithium Polymer battery
Charge Time 1.5 hours 1.5 hours 1.5 hours
Prints per charge 25 20 20
Print time ~45 sec ~51 sec ~20 second + ~5 minutes to develop
Print paper / ~cost per shot Zink photo paper / ~$ 0.50 per shot Zink photo paper / ~$ 0.50 per shot Instax Mini /
~$ 0.50 per shot
Print format 2 x 3 in 2 x 3 in 1.8 x 2.4 in
Connectivity Bluetooth Bluetooth Wi-Fi
Price $ 99.95 $ 129.99 $ 139.95

Spec-wise, the Canon and Polaroid are virtually the same (this will come up again). With that out of the way, lets start with the obvious. The Fujifilm is a bit thicker and heavier than the other two. While the Canon and Polaroid are pretty comparable to a portable hard drive, the Fujifilm feels closer to single-serving cereal boxes in size. While the size is definitely noticeable, the weight difference is pretty negligible given that none of these printers are heavy by any stretch of the word.

To get an idea of their size, here’s all three printers next to a standard pack of playing cards.

The other major difference comes down to the printing format. The Polaroid and Canon both use ZINK paper (meaning, Zero Ink). This process works through cyan, yellow and magenta layers within the paper that respond to heat provided by the printer, making your photo possible. Meanwhile, the Fujifilm uses the same instant film as the Fujifilm Instax Mini line of cameras. (Note: Fujifilm also offers a square format printer that we assume works identically) ZINK paper prints as a 2″ x 3″ image with no border (by default, more on that later) on a sticky backed paper (read: sticker) while the Fujifilm instant film prints a 1.8″ x 2.4″ image with the instant film border that we all know and love (or maybe just know… I love it, but that’s just me).

Polaroid ZIP Canon Ivy

Design wise, the Polaroid and Canon basically just look like cute little hard drives and the Fujifilm has kind of an odd sleek sci-fi aesthetic to it. The Polaroid and Canon are available in a couple of colors (mostly pastels,) while the Fujifilm is available in silver or gold. The corners on the Polaroid and Canon are very round while they are a little more angular on the Fujifilm but still not sharp in any sort of way. The Canon also features a small loop for a strap.

In use

Ultimately, these three printers work in very similar ways. Of the three apps the design on the Canon app is definitely the most attractive though the Polaroid app is in a close second with just little bit less attention paid to how things flow. The Fujifilm app is ugly with colored tiles that feel like they were picked with very little design intent. That being said, I actually found that the interface of the Fujifilm app was the best when it came to usability. The differences here are minimal and in the end each app worked just fine.

One nice touch on the Fujifilm is that it will display the number of prints left

The apps feature a slew of options and customizability including: frames you can add to your photos, filters, basic color and exposure adjustments, cropping, and “stickers” you can add on top of photos. Outside of the frames, I didn’t find much appeal in most of these features. The color and exposure adjustments I tried seemed to only degrade the image quality and didn’t improve things much. I would say you’re better off using whatever editing software your smartphone comes with and just printing the edited photo through the printer’s app.

An example of one of the many lovely border options on the Polaroid ZIP app. Note: the sticker peeling after ~2 weeks.

Physically, they’re all fairly portable (though again, the Fujifilm less so), charge with a simple Micro USB cable, and use a variety of green, red and white lights to indicate their charging status or if there’s an error. One nice touch on the Fujifilm is that it will display the number of prints left in the pack when you turn it on. Loading film into all three of these is as easy as can be though the Fujifilm requires some reading/fiddling to figure out the first time.

The Fujifilm also allows you to remove and replace the NP-45S battery

Another nice feature on the Fujifilm is that it stands up on it’s own, taking up less desk space. The other two can only lay flat. The Fujifilm also allows you to remove and replace the NP-45S battery while the other two don’t have removable batteries.

All three of these printers were fun and easy to use.

In terms of the print time, there’s a clear winner: Fujifilm. If you’re looking to hand out prints fast, the SP-2 can churn them out in 20 seconds. That said, the 45-60 second range of the Polaroid and Canon didn’t feel excessive at all.

Lastly, the Fujifilm has one very big feature that only applies to those that own other modern Fujifilm cameras. Unlike the Polaroid and Canon (and most other pocket printers on the market) the Fujifilm can print directly from a handful of Fujifilm cameras. The compatible models are as follows: GFX 50S, GFX 50R, X-H1, X-Pro2, X-T3, X-T2, X-T20, X-T100, X-E3, X-A5, X100F.

Print Quality

The prints are just a bit smaller than an average playing card (left to right: Fujifilm, Canon, Polaroid).

Well let’s just get this right out of the way – compared to a dedicated inkjet photo printer, they all suck. These 3 pocket printers are exactly that, pocket printers. If you’re expecting true high quality prints out of these things then you’ll be disappointed.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_7886118704″,”galleryId”:”7886118704″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Let’s talk about the Polaroid and Canon prints first. I noticed a lot of over-sharpening in these both. Interestingly, despite the near-identical design, they show a really obvious difference in their prints; the Polaroid leans warmer and the Canon leans cooler. The Canon prints also seem to have a bit less of that over-sharpening which definitely helps in making people’s skin look more natural. Definitely keep in mind that these are small prints. Not your standard 4×6 but rather, half of that.

Keep in mind that these are small prints. Not your standard 4×6 but rather, half of that

As for the Fujifilm, because it uses instant film as opposed to photo paper, there’s a much different look to these prints. They’re soft and almost blurry, especially in comparison to the look of the Canon and Polaroid. The color seems to lean a bit cooler as well but I found that the color reproduction on the Fujifilm prints was without a doubt the best of the three. The Fujifilm prints also have a glossier finish than the others.

And the winner is… Fujifilm

Film (or paper) will cost money.

The Polaroid and Canon are extremely portable and if nothing else make for a really easy way to print custom stickers that reference specific memories you’ve captured on your phone. But the Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2 produced the most-pleasing images, prints the fastest, can connect to Fujifilm cameras and indicates the number of prints left. For that reason, it’s our choice.

Our pick: Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2

What we like:

  • Most pleasing print-quality
  • Prints in 20 secs
  • Indicator for number of prints left
  • Stands up-right
  • Print directly from Fujifilm digital cameras

What we don’t:

  • Larger and heavier than the competition
  • App design is ugly
  • Prints are pricey

Note: All of the images printed were taken with and printed from the apps on a Samsung Galaxy S9.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Comparative review: The best pocket printer in 2019

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Kodak-branded SMILE lineup includes two instant cameras and a new instant printer

10 Jan

New Jersey-based C+A Global has launched new Kodak-branded products, including an instant camera and two instant printers. Called the Kodak SMILE Instant Print, this product line offers the SMILE Classic Instant Print Digital Camera, SMILE Instant Print Digital Camera, and SMILE Instant Digital Printer.

The KODAK SMILE Classic Instant Print Digital Camera features a vintage camera body design coupled with a ZINK instant printer, pop-up viewfinder, automatic strobe flash, microSD card slot, and 10-second timer. Despite its retro appearance, the model has Bluetooth and works with the Kodak Instant Print Companion mobile app.

Joining the retro-styled Classic camera is the slimmer, modern SMILE Instant Print Digital Camera, a 10MP digital camera with a ZINK Zero Ink printer, microSD card slot, automatic flash, LCD viewfinder, and 10-second timer.

The SMILE line’s new instant digital printer offers instant printing for images captured with a smartphone, the Kodak Instant Print Companion app, and a Bluetooth connection. The digital printer and digital camera will cost $ 100 each, while the Classic camera will cost $ 150. Kodak hasn’t yet revealed the products’ launch date.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Kodak-branded SMILE lineup includes two instant cameras and a new instant printer

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Don’t wait for Holga – this battery-free Instax printer is already on the market

18 Oct

Toy manufacturer Tomy has announced the KiiPix, a battery-free smartphone printer that’s remarkably similar to the one Holga has been promoting through its Kickstarter campaign. The biggest difference between the two is that you can get the KiiPix today, rather than having to wait for a Kickstarter.

The KiiPix is designed very much like the Holga version, other than the pull-up bellows, and uses the same principles for copying the screen of your smartphone onto Fujifilm Instax Mini instant film.

To make a print, users are encouraged to turn up the brightness of their screen and place the smartphone face down on a frame supported by a fold-out stand. The shutter is tripped using a nearly identical side-lever mechanism as the Holga Printer, and a winding crank draws the film from the cassette through the exit slot to trigger development.

The only thing the KiipIx needs to print photos is a steady supply of Instax film. It collapses down to 135x55x175mm/5.3×2.1×6.88in to stow away easily in a bag for carrying around. The printer has been available since August, and retails for$ 40/£39. It comes in a range of colors depending on your region. For more information see the Tomy website.

PRINT PICTURES ANYTIME, ANYWHERE WITH KIIPIX

KiiPix from TOMY is the new and innovative smartphone printer that instantly prints your favourite photos straight from your smartphone to create lasting memories.

Unlike many instant cameras or photo-printing devices, KiiPix does not require batteries, an app or Wi-Fi to use; simply open up the device, place your smartphone on top, press the button and rotate the dial to print out your photo. KiiPix’s compact design means it’s easily portable so you are ready to print photos anytime, anywhere. It comes in three colours: cherry blossom, sky blue and jet black and at an affordable price point of £39.99 is guaranteed to appeal to the masses.

As the revival of retro inspired products becomes more prominent in both the fashion and technology industries, Kiipix is tipped to be the must-have lifestyle product for millennials, students and young women in 2018. From fashion, to gaming systems, to food, consumer trends show that nostalgic brands are resonating with millennials as they embrace old favourites.

There has been a huge surge in the popularity of instant photography in the last number of years as consumers turn to analogue camera equipment and discover the joy of print photography in this digital age. KiiPix combines both the new and the old, as users can capture and modify photos on their smartphones before instantly printing, retro style.

Kiipix will be supported with a strong digital and social media campaign, as well as being present at experiential consumer events; influencer marketing will also be central to the product launch.

KiiPix – SRP: £39.99
The innovative KiiPix device is light and compact, and collapses into a peggable closed box making it easily portable measuring at 135 mm x 55 mm x 175 mm. KiiPix comes in three colours, cherry blossom, sky blue and jet black. Available in August 2018. Suitable for 10 years plus.

All TOMY toys are cleverly designed to develop children’s core skills whilst they play. Manufactured to the highest standards, this collection of reliable toys continues to be a family favourite, building on the heritage and core values, which parents associate with TOMY. For more information on TOMY please visit www.tomy.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/tomy.toy.uk or follow us on @TomyToysUK.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Don’t wait for Holga – this battery-free Instax printer is already on the market

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Holga launches hand-crank instant printer that doesn’t require batteries

12 Oct

Holga Digital has launched a new hand-cranked instant photo printer that works with smartphones. The device is being funded on Kickstarter, where the company presents an Instax printer that “looks like a Holga 120 without the lens.” It’s crafted with molded polymer and works with any smartphone camera.

The Holga Printer has a relatively unique design, requiring the user to unfold components into an elevated platform upon which a smartphone is placed. Printing requires the user to press the shutter, then hand-crank a knob to print the Fuji Instax instant photo. The device doesn’t require batteries or wireless connectivity.

Holga Digital is offering backers a Super Early Bird Holga Printer for pledges of $ 51 ($ 398 HK). The device is estimated to start shipping to backers in March 2019 with global availability. Holga plans to release a mobile app for Android and iOS that’ll launch alongside the printer. This app will allow users to apply Holga filters to digital images, as well as add text and icons. Supported effects include a color mode, black & white, double exposure, and Holga effect.

For more information and to secure your pledge, head over to the Kickstarter campaign.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Holga launches hand-crank instant printer that doesn’t require batteries

Posted in Uncategorized