ink jet or dye sub

[trihokie]

I am a sports photographer that has been posting my shots on the web using photoreflections.com. I am looking into the possibility of purchasing a quality photo printer and offering prints on location at road races, soccer matches or little league games. My question is-- What type of printer will give me the best print quality with prints that have a life expectancy comparable to lab prints. I've heard that inkjet prints tend to fade over time. My local camera shop prints digital images on a dye sublimated printer.
My budget is $500 or so, and I really don't need to print any larger than 5x7.
Any advice?

[Don Ellis]

I am a sports photographer that has been posting my shots on the web using photoreflections.com. I am looking into the possibility of purchasing a quality photo printer and offering prints on location at road races, soccer matches or little league games. My question is-- What type of printer will give me the best print quality with prints that have a life expectancy comparable to lab prints. I've heard that inkjet prints tend to fade over time. My local camera shop prints digital images on a dye sublimated printer.
My budget is $500 or so, and I really don't need to print any larger than 5x7.
Any advice?

I would have said Kodak 8500 dye-sub, but it's double your budget. Perhaps you can save up. It produces photo-quality prints on Kodak photographic paper (only) and does it in about 2 minutes per 8x10. You can use QImage or some other program to print two 5x7s (actually, about 4.95x7 because you'll want to leave a thin line between photographs so you can cut them apart.

Personally, I would forget inkjet -- too slow. No one's going to want to wait and you'll start freaking out. :shock:

I would imagine there's a small photo printer that would handle your needs. Time to Google, or wait for another response.

Good luck.

Don

[Vegas Poboy]

Wait a week or two Kodak is bringing out a new dye-sub for around $550.00 it will replace the 8500. I've been searching but no one has in stock yet model #D1400. If you can't wait I'll say look at the Olympus P440, I've heard good things about it but have not tried it myself.

[trihokie]

Thanks,
From what I have gathered so far it looks like dye sub is the way to go. I am looking into the Olympus P440 ($450 at B&H), unless someone can talk me out of it...
By the way, are there any opinions out there on file management software? For running events, I would like to tag a photo with the competitor's race number. Photos with multiple runners would have multiple tags, of course. I would like to be able search all of my folders and pull up all photos which contain that runner. Will any basic image management program (like Photoshop Album--$50) handle that, or will I have to spring for a custom deluxe program (Extensis Photo Imaging Suite--$500). I don't want to sound like a cheapskate but, although I have been doing this for many years, I am just starting to charge for it, and I am looking to break even and then start upgrading. Just for the record, I am not stepping on anyone's toes because there are no professional's operating in my area (small town).
Thanks

[Don Ellis]

I would like to be able search all of my folders and pull up all photos which contain that runner. Will any basic image management program (like Photoshop Album--$50) handle that, or will I have to spring for a custom deluxe program (Extensis Photo Imaging Suite--$500).

Don't know about Album, but I believe ThumbsPlus will do the job for you. Download a 30-day trial from www.cerious.com.

Cheers,

Don

[Vegas Poboy]

Not sure of which way to go on that one. I've looked at extensis & they do have a program that is cheaper & I've read it has a steep learning curve. Event Pix has a program out also & so does kodak. Many to choose from but I'm still undecided for myself.

[RomanB]

I've had the Cannon dye sub and put it up for sale on Ebay after the 2nd day. It is made for downloading directly from the camera, though you can use it as any other printer from a program such as PS. But with all the functions designed for downloading directly from the camera, I that was a lot of moneydevoted to a fucnction I do not use. I don't remember the size of the Cannon paper anymore, but it was a bastard size not found anywhere else.

I use a Kodak 8500 which produces great 8" by 10" prints in about 75 seconds. Unlike ink jet printers, you do not have to worry about the thing clogging up. The printer utilises a film cartridge which places a protective coating over the prints and insures long print life. Also, Kodak paper is among the finest. You can use glossy or matte finishes. If you are thinking of spending around $500.00, you can't go wrong with the new dye sub printer Kodak has recently come up with. It costs a little over $500.00 and is a great printer. It is NOT a replacement for the Kodak 8500, but an addition to their line of printers. Your per print cost for an 8" by 10" is $1.74.