Photo Paper ?'s

[MacGordon]

Hey all,
I posted this up at "Compact Camera's. . ." and I see I should have put it here. Rough day :(

Anyway, I'm doing a little research so any and all input would be most helpfull.

I've tried HP's Premium Glossy Photo Paper and am not satisfied with the results. The photos don't come out with that "glossy" appearance.
I've used Epson's Glossy Photo Paper and I like the results but. . . I'm looking for something that might be a little better.

Has anyone tried Epsons ColorLife™ Photo Paper or their Premium Glossy Photo Paper?

Besides HP and Epson, what other quality glossy photo papers do you all use. I'm looking for something that will last, with glossy results and quality.
I want to get some feed back before I buy.

I'm using Canon's S230 camera (which takes some of the best photos I've seen, can enlarge up to 8.5X11 without loosing any quailty) and printing with a Epson Stylus Photo 1280.

Thanks! :)

[slejhamer]

It's not glossy, but Epson heavyweight matte gives stunning results on my Epson printer. And it's inexpensive, too.

[john_houghton]

I don't think you will find Epson Premium Glossy deficient in the gloss department. Other good glossy papers are Tetenal Spectrajet High Gloss and ICI Olmec Optimum Gloss. For longevity issues, you should take a look at the article "The Fade Factor" at http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105461,00.asp

John

[Roger_Cavanagh]

john_houghton wrote:
I don't think you will find Epson Premium Glossy deficient in the gloss department.

I agree with that. :)

[Conk]

Also for helping photo's last there is a spray available in camera shops.

[Leighow]

Well I have an Epson 880. Hardware cost $80 Can. Ink Replacement cost $72 Can. Inks are not archival.

I have both heavy matte and the premium photo glossy (PPG). But I have only made about 6 .. 8 by 10 prints over the year.

Conclusions:

1: PPG
*****
When viewed say 5 feet from your eyes, the PPG seems very nice, and close to what I remember the screen looking like. But I have not tested on the most difficult range of color images.

2: Matte
******
Very nice but IMHO it lacks the impact of PPG.

4: Dye Sublimation
***************
For archival purposes, I have had some dye-subs printed at a photoshop several years ago. High quality with a better redition of color that via Epson.

So for play Epson papers are fine. But for more serious applications I think that I will print at a shop (that is what I am going to do re pictures of my dog).

Its what I see on my PC screen that makes me "do digital".

HOWIE

[slejhamer]

MacGordon wrote:
Has anyone tried Epsons ColorLife™ Photo Paper or their Premium Glossy Photo Paper?



I came across this somewhat dated review of the colorlife paper: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/colorlife.shtml

The reviewer quotes Epson as stating that colorlife has the same high degree of lightfastness as matte heavyweight, whereas premium glossy's rating is "low."

Depending on when you bought your printer you may need to download ICC profiles for the paper; they are available on the Epson site.

I will be trying this paper soon as my preference is for semi-gloss (colorlife) with longevity (matte.) That said, I really do like the premium glossy for black and white prints. :)