Has anybody used the alps 5000 printer, what is the quality? What does anybody recommend for the best photo repro. print/er that costs less than a fuji pictography? Thank yo

-- Jerry Lee (leexx241@tc.umn.edu), April 06, 1999

Answers

Jerry: I was in the market for a printer and my choices landed on three possibilities: 1. Alps 5000 2. Epson PhotoEX 3. HP Photosmart

Here's my evaluation of the three and my final choice.

1. The Alps had noticable banding on ANY photo larger than 4 X 6. It was a very nice machine - but the banding is noticable and objectionable. If you go to Compusa - look at the sample photos right on the display. You will see the banding.

2. The PhotoEx is a great machine - and the price was recently dropped. The biggest problem is the ink - it's not archival. Even the folks at Epson suggested I simply reprint photos when they fade - not a reasonable expectation in my mind - especially since many of my photos go out as gifts - and hang on well lighted walls.

3. The HP Photosmart is the least expensive - giving way to concern - especially since they recently lowered the price. The ink is expensive - but is in line with the others. The biggest concern is that it "looks" like HP will be dropping this unit in the near future.

My Decision: All are compromises. None will do Cibachrome quality photos, and while the technology is getting there - it's just not quite there yet. The control you get with photoshop makes up for a lot of the current weaknesses. I bought the Photosmart. The price is low enough that if a truely better one comes out - I won't feel guilty about throwing this one in the bin and getting the better one. The output quality is exceptional - even stunning. I've done many (MANY) years of color darkroom work - and while the Photosmart isn't darkroom quality - it is really fantastic. I have the Photosmart scanner and printer - and typically scan and print Kodachrome and Ektacrhome slides - as well as negatives. Good luck.

Des

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), April 06, 1999.

I bought a HP Photosmart printer about six months ago and am very happy with the brilliant quality of the 8X10's I get from it. Paid only $299.00 (If HP ever sends me the $100.00 rebate). I don't understand Des's (previous replyer) concern that this model may be discontinued by HP. Sooner or later ALL models are discontinued. I've got mine. Why should I care if they quit making them? The next guy may get a later model, but I must assume it will also be a better model. (What, me worry?)

-- Bob Benson (benson@gbasin.com), April 06, 1999.

I am using an epson photoEX and I think that I am getting better prints from slides than I ever did previously. The ink does fade especially with epson paper. I am planning to remedy this with the use of archival inks from MIS Supply (www.missupply.com) I will see how this works. (I can't afford a fuji pictrography system either)

-- Jonathan Ratzlaff (jonathanr@clrtech.bc.ca), April 06, 1999.

I owned an Epson 1520 and do alot of Photo printing. All I got were commenbts about the dots so I Investigated Different printers. PC Photo mag had a review about the Alps Printer, so I bought one and all I can tell you is the Pictures are great no banding as some say and in the Dye sub mode continuoous tone. The other gentlemen should know that 500 to 1000 people a day touch and abuse the eqipment at Comp usa. I am in Real Estate and you want to see my print outs on laser paper with the Name in Gold foil the writing in Black and a color glossy picture. Go to your local Photo store and have them do a Kodak dye sub from your print and you tell me weither Dye Sub beats all except Fugie Pictustate which cost about $10,000. The Alps I give rave reviews and I wont but I can prove it beats Ink Jets.Dont get me wrong it is electronic and it can have problems just like Cameras, Scanners and Computers. If you dont use them with care you will have problems. I dont

-- Phil (phil1@idt.net), April 06, 1999.

Have had an HP PhotoSmart for several years now. Does a GREAT job. Would by a second one today.

-- ted (trish_ted@yahoo.com), April 07, 1999.