I've been considering the purchase of a digital camera for good snapshots and documentation and the instant gratification they give over 35mm. I called a reputable shop here to rent a Nikon 950 and told the digital expert there my aims and that I would want to print some 4x6s and maybe an 8x10 now and then. The first thing he asked me was what kind of printer I have. An HP 882c. He said forget it unless I had an Epson because the software allows color correction and that the HP would give me accurate rendition only about 60% of the time. The store doesn't sell printers so he wasn't trying to sell me one. If I don't get a digicam, I'm going to have some of my 35mm scanned to Photo CD, but that still leaves a problem with the printer, if what he says is true. Is there that much difference between the Epsons and the HPs? Thanks in advance.

Bob Lester

-- Bob Lester (kdbob@ipns.com), March 28, 2000

Answers

Bob:
I know I'm going to get myself in trouble for this comment but...
IMHO, Epson has done more to advnace the art of printing pictures, and meet the needs and desires of the customer base than HP. HP seems more interested in proselytizing the way HP believes digital imaging should work. Now HP is a fine company. I have several of their products. I like them. Today, however, based on business practices and response to the pro-sumer level of interest and expectations - I'd buy the Epson 1270.

Des

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), March 29, 2000.

Bob -

I think that I would try out your current HP 882 before investing in a new printer. You might try some prints from the various digital camera web pages to see how well you like the various resolutions, etc. I'm doing much the same thing you are in looking for a digital camera, especially considering the "instant gratification" bit.....

My wife gave me a Sony digital camcorder (-TRV510) for my birthday last year and I'm really pleased with the little 640 x 480 prints I can get out of it. They are nowhere close to a Nikon 950 or even a Oly. 450 but they are just fine for 2x3 snapshots. I am printing to an "old" HP 895 so the results should be comparable to your 882. As I said, I perfectly satisfied with the printing.

Remember, too, that color rendition is often in the eye of the beholder. There are, as you are well aware, many different software packages out in the market place that allow you to adjust the diffent hues, contrast, brightness, etc., of you digital prints. The printer, in some respects, is becoming a "byte" player in the picture process. That all said, my bottom line is check out your current printer with a digital print or two. If looking for a new printer, consider Epson as well as HP. They both make solid printers. Their individual styles of printing are really a matter of personal preference.

Regards -

Paul Griffiths in NoVA

-- Paul Griffiths (plg3@prodigy.net), March 29, 2000.

Does anyone know where the Epson 1270 is for sale? I have not been able to locate it, and it was supposed to be released this month...

-- Jeffrey Sevier (jsevier@one.net), March 30, 2000.

I just saw an ad for the new epson photo printers at CompUSA - $500 for the large format and $280 (i think) for 8.5x11.

-- (willyjar@mindspring.com), March 30, 2000.

I just got my first digital camera. An Olympus 2020 from accompany.com for $476. It arrived promptly and works great. Now I'm looking for a printer.

I've narrowed my selection down to either an Epson 750 or HP P1000. I will probably go with the HP because I like having the memory card reader built right into the printer. I will be able to print photos directly off the card or down load them to the computer for manipulation. This will save me from having to buy down load device.

Most importantly, at one of the stores where I was looking, they had copies of an 8x10 photo printed on each machine. Same photo, different printer. I thought the HP print looked slightly better. It was the only direct comparison I've seen.

Bruce

-- Bruce Baudendistel (bauden@swbell.net), April 01, 2000.

I sold my old HP 882 and bought a $100.00 Epson 640. The pictures it produces are phenominal! While the HP worked OK for small pics, it just cannot compete with the low cost Epson for 8.5x11.0" pics.

If I had to do it over again, I would still buy the Epson, but I'd buy a 7XX or 9XX model that was a little faster.

-- John Werner (jwerner@mpinet.net), April 06, 2000.

I sold my old HP 882 and bought a $100.00 Epson 640. The pictures it produces are phenominal! While the HP worked OK for small pics, it just cannot compete with the low cost Epson for 8.5x11.0" pics. The Epson is also 1440 dpi, and the HP can't go that dense.

If I had to do it over again, I would still buy the Epson, but I'd buy a 7XX or 9XX model that was a little faster.

-- John Werner (jwerner@mpinet.net), April 06, 2000.

The new HP 932c allows one to switch off the HPsmart colorsmart routines (only for the highest resolution, though!) when you select photo paper as paper type.

-- (ranjanr@excite.com), April 21, 2000.