Photo printer in Sydney

Hi all,

Just curious to know if there is a good photo printer in Sydney (northern beaches). I see all the US guys talk about Costco, so I guess something like that??

Photos are RAW from a 20D, or edited into Jpgs.

I plan to test the quality of store printing vs home printing over time so any help would be arreciated.

Thanks,

are you just looking for a routine printer for bulk 4x6 prints? i've had decent results with J&B hifi for bulk print work (most of the time we print @ home or on the field using our CP-330s). where i want to do decent quality or enlargements, canvas, etc. i use Iconn in North Sydney

Thanks,

I was after 6x4 and 8x10 type photos so I can compare them to home printers. I'll give JB a run and see how it goes.

Cheers, Trent.

I haven't tried Iconn and, if they are in Nth Sydney they must be just down the road from me... Is that the crowd on the corner of Berry and Walker?

sorry actually they are in st. leonards - www.iconimagecentre.co​m.au - in the forum (above the train station, below Cisco)

OK - thanks - that is just up the road... cool

I Just printed a few wedding photos at Officeworks (Kodak Machine) for a test. Very poor result. I lost the top and bottom off some and the colours are miles away from what I see at home. I guess if they are holiday snaps this might be ok, but for anything I'd keep STAY AWAY!!!!! They only go to 6x8 so not good for bigger photos.

I tried Fletchers in Canberra while I was down there this weekend. 8x10 was excellent, but for ~$7 per print, it would want to be something special.

I am curious if anyone can give me the cost per print for the new 8 colour Epson and Canon printers. I hear $2 per 8x10. Sounds cheep ?!?!

I'll give Icon a try as I work at Nth Ryde. Thanks guys.

Hey tghaines,
For prints over 8x12 I use a lab called C-41 in Collaroy on the Nth Beaches.
They are a pro lab and I know most of the local pro photographers print all their work there.
Their web site is www.c41express.com.au, and they are very helpfull guys.
On sizes up to 8x12 I go to a local HN, they have a Frontier machine for printing.
If your images are pp correctly you will get a very good quality print at a cheap price.
You will find it difficult to match the quality and price for small prints at home compared to a lab.
Hope this helps, if you need any more info just ask.
Marty

Thanks Marty,

Good to see some locals on here!!!

I'll have to Pauline Hanson you on some bits of your answer. Please explain "local HN" and PP (post prod?). I assume that your local is Queenscliff, are they any good printers up near Mona Vale??

Thanks, Trent.

Hey Trent,
yeah good to see some locals here, although all the other members are helpfull and friendly with advice.
PP is post production as you guessed, basically getting the image ready for printing or for the web. If your monitor is calibrated then the image on the screen should be the same as the final printed version.
If you print at home you will need to set you printer profile in the pp software you are using, or if you regularly print at a lab they can give you their printer profile.
HN....well that's my local Harvery Norman store (or Hardly Normal as many people call them), they have pro guality printing facilities.
All of my images are pp before printing, this way I know exactly how the final print should look and can ask for a re-print if they are not to my satisfaction.
Printing can sometimes be tricky as all labs/printers need to regulary calibrate their machines, if they do not calibrate often enough the colours will not be accurate.
I do not know of any labs near you, but if you check in your local directory I am sure you will find some.
If you are not planning on printing large quantities of images, setting up your printer/monitor/softwa​re at home can give you good results.
Hope this makes sense, its hard to explain it all briefly.
Marty

Discussing it over a beer sounds good...

Hey Kiwibloke, thats a very generous offer from you...
I dont drink beer though...

I used to own a Kombi - does that help?

It's all good news on the print places, though. Good info to have available.

Hey Kiwibloke, I also owned a few kombi's, but have to clarify that doesn't make me a hippy....!!
There are many good labs around Sydney, and some very good labs in Vic if you want large quantities printing.
Prinitng can be a bit difficult to get right initially, but after a few tests it should all be good.
Depending on the size of prints you want, the subject matter and how well the images were taken can all have an impact on prints, and if you are very pedantic like me you only want the best quality prints.
Had a look at your site, some very nice work, looks like you get out of Sydney alot.
And a 5D owner....great camera to go with those nice lenses you have.
And what's a Kiwi doing in Sydney...???
Marty

Thanks Marty,

Hardly Normal - Love it!! My Dad uses the same phrase. Thanks, for the tip, I'll give them a shot. I have just launched an FTP to C41 and I'll get them later this week. They are a little pricy at $1.30 for 6x4, but the 8x10 is ok at $7.50. If the prints are great, then the price is worth it.

Beer is evil. It makes me fall down.

Cheers.