KODAK 8500 dye-sub printer

[RacerX]

Been looking for an affordable printer to produce TRUE 8 x 10 pics. I ended up here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/kodak8500.html

Comments and thoughts are very much appreciated. :D

[RacerX]

I feel like I stumped everyone here. :D NO ONE even answered anything about dye-sub printers! Doesn't anyone use them here? Had anyone look into maybe using one or getting one? Any feed back at all.

Thought this was a good topic, oh well. When I finally get one I'll share what I know about them and any questions anyone might post here that would like to get answered.
( If I can :) )

Stay tuned . . . . .

Rick

[Swampy]

I use Dye Sub, and that's all I use. You know what I use.. The Sony UP-DR100 for 4x6 and 5x7 and I have used an Olympus P-400 dye sub that produced some really nice prints. That printer isn't available to me anymore, so I've just been stocking up my 8x10's (about 1 a month I guess) and take them to Ritz to print on thier Frontier system which comes out great there too.

My reason for hating ink jets? I live in a dusty environment. Seems that I'm replacing cartridges every time I print. If I had an 8x10 printer, I'd probably be apt to print to it once a week right now. But that always seemed like it was a cartridge change even when I did have an inkjet sitting here waiting.

Dye Sub. Never dries out, never gets clogged. May be a bad way to think, but until they get Ink Jet to where it won't clog/dry out, I'm stickin to it.

[smunky]

I hear that Olympus p400 is a great printer. ;)
Wonder where that mailman is...
anyway my rep is trying to sell me the Kodak 8500 too but it costs about 2.00 a print just an fyi.

[S_Leeper]

I figure my costs to print 8x10's or multiples on an 8.5 x 11 to approximate $2.00 (1.75 - 2.30) for paper & ink--on epson 1280.

Of course my labor to trim, mount, frame, process, etc is free.

I live in a dusty house... To help keep down issues I ocassionally cover with poster (it actually helps, though a proper cover would be better).

I've been pleasantly surprised at how often I don't have problems when I don't print for 2-3 weeks. (one of the reasons I hesitate going to a CIS). I run the nozzle check & 7-8 times out of 10 it is ready to go. With rare exception, when it does need to run the nozzle cleaning cycle I only have to do it 1-3 time.

But there has be about two (maybe three) times where I have had to run the nozzle cleaning cycle a whole lot of times. And I distinctly remember one of those times where I had used only about 4-5 days prior???

[RacerX]

All great info. Thanks everyone. I had also read about the cost per pic to be right around 2.00 bucks. I guess it might have to do with who it's for and if it's worth spending that much before you print one up.

Smunky, what did your rep qoute you? $$$$

Thanks

[smunky]

hm
she quoated me 1500 for the kodak 8650 which is the only quote i wrote down
the ribbon replacement is 225.00 for 100 prints
the archive quality is only 25 yrs

the epson 5500 is only 1195 and is a good ink jet.
hope that helps

[RacerX]

Thanks for the info & help smunky. I wasn't aware of the other model 8650. I priced out the 8500 for 875.00 seem fair. I wonder what the difference is between the two? Time to find out.

thanks . . .
Rick

[lightwrangler]

I used to have an older model, an 8600. It worked flawlessly, the prints hold up very well and I found the colour to be excellent. Same goes for the newer ones, which I have seen in the stores. I think you have to ask yourself if you need the quality and speed that these offer. They are more expensive to buy than ink jets but in the end I believe they are no more expensive to run. Size of output is another consideration; 8.5 x 11 is the largest that the Kodaks can give you, but the colour and speed blow the inkjets away in most cases. I would own both an Epson 2200 and a Kodak dye sub in the best of worlds.

[RacerX]

I own a HP 6122 printer. It prints really good prints but the time it takes to print just a 5x7 takes about 3-4 minutes. Not to mention the ink it eats up. Sometimes I think it's a horse. That's what leads me to look into the dye-sub. I looked into the replacement items and it seems to run about 1.75 per page and takes about 75 seconds to print. Or so they advertise.

Thanks for the info lightwrangler and will post here once I get the new printer.

Rick

[CSI-453]

Racerx.
I USE A KODAK 8500 HERE AT WORK MAINLY FOR PICTURES I WILL HAVE TO USE IN COURT, IT DOES A FINE JOB AND PRINTS FAST.
EVERYTHING I SEND TO IT IS SET FOR 314 DPI, WHY IT CALLS FOR THIS RES. I DON'T KNOW BUT IT DOES A FANTASTIC JOB AND IS FAST ALSO.
I USE AN EPSON 925 AT HOME AND TO BE HONEST, I LIKE THE PICS PRINTED FROM THE EPSON BETTER, IT JUST SEEMS THEY HAVE A LITTLE BETTER COLOR.
MAYBE IT'S JUST ME.
CSI-453

[RacerX]

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping I kinda find one on display before I purchase it. I just want to make sure I like the output compared to my HP6122. CSI, are the pictures sharp?

Rick

[S_Leeper]

a p.s. to the above cost info on the epson 1280 (or other inkjets).

About a year ago I researched getting a CIS, continous inking system. Long story short, not counting $200-400 set up cost of ink is only about 10% of ink cartridges.
Can also get longer lasting inks.

Negative is that you need to use on regular basis, or have clogging problems. Generally also need to get printer profiled with new inks.

[kgravett]

A new printer is coming out from Olympus to replace the P-400. It is the Olympus P-440 and will be out on 31 Oct. I have one preordered and am anxiously waiting. The improvements are it prints a true 8 x 10 picture and several other things. It's at the Olympus web site. I would seriously check this one out. Ken

[RacerX]

Thanks Ken for the latest info for a new dye-sub printer. The printer can be check out like Ken mentioned at: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_product.asp?more_info_lobby=1&p=19&bc=23&product=935

Woundering how much they're going to want as compared to the Kodak 8500? Thanks again for the info. Just in time before I buy one! :)

Rick

PS: Looks like the street price is going to be around $500.00 and the print cost for glossy is 1.59 each. Sounds good but we need to see a demo print out first. A whole lot cheaper then the kodak for sure, thanks Ken!

[kgravett]

Rick a friend of mine has the Olympus P-400 printer and loves it.

He is a cop and takes pictures of crime scenes. These pictures have to stand up in court, so must be waterproof and durable.

He uses the P-400 printer and told me the prints look great and last for over 60 years.

The prints are lab quality. They come out of the printer with a coating which seals the print from water and fingerprints can just be wiped off.

I'll let you know how it looks when I get mine, unless you get yours first. Ken

[RacerX]

Ya . . . lets keep each other posted as to how much and where we plan on buying them from. Maybe if both of us are looking around we can make sure we get the best deal out there.
Thanks again for lead Ken.

Rick

[kgravett]

Racerx, finally the Olympus P-440 I ordered about three months ago is on its way. UPS will be bringing it to my home Monday. Hopefully it was worth the wait. I'll let all of you know how well it works as soon as possible. Racerx, did you buy the Kodak yet, or you still looking? Ken

[RacerX]

Looking to buy the Olympus P-440. Didn't get the Kodak once I read up on the Olympus. Where did you get it? Thanks for the help!

Rick

[Swampy]

yup, I'm going with the P-440 - IF I can find the thing! Where'd you buy it from?

[kgravett]

I bought it from Canoga Camera. It seems the units are coming in now, in bunches. I would not be surprised to find it everywhere real soon. I've been waiting forever for it to come out and was about to give up.

[kgravett]

Amazon is showing the price of $449, and they already have it or will soon. I paid full retail of $499. Ken

[kgravett]

Amazon is showing it for $449 like I said, plus free shipping and shipping in 24 hours so they must have it in stock. Before it said 1 to 2 weeks. Ken

[RacerX]

Thanks for the help . . .we'll keep you posted on our purchase, thanks!

Rick

PS: Placed ordered read fine print:

The following items will arrive no later than December 24. Estimated ship date for this item: December 10, 2003 Olympus P-440 Printer

Boy I hope it comes in time or I'll be one sad man at Christmas time.

Check out this post for more info:
http://www.s2pro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3002

[RacerX]

kgravett, have you had any lucky on where would one purchase supplies for the P-440? :confused:

Thanks . . . .
Rick

[kgravett]

Rick, I didn't have any problem finding paper or ribbons for the printer. It uses the same ribbon and paper as the Olympus
P-400 does. I have had the ribbon and paper for three months (ordered from Adorama). Ken

[RacerX]

Thanks for the info I'll be ordering some today!

Rick

[High ISO!]

I get my supplies for my P400 from CDW. They give me great prices...I use LOTS of paper & ribbon! 100 sheets is $69.00 ribbon for 50 sheets is now $41.00 up from $37.00. The ribbon is new, to fit the P440, so someone appearantly felt the need to raise the price. The cost of a photo is a bit higher than my Epson ink jet printers....BUT I don't waste ink, paper & time, cleaning clogged heads. There is VERY little waste with my Olympus. I have been using the P400 since the summer of 2001.

[RacerX]

Thanks for the pricing and location. I'll be picking some up for the new arrival coming soon. :D

Thanks!
Rick

[bebop1065]

Has anyone gotten their printer yet?

This might be the box I have been looking for. Perhaps now I can actually start using my camera at home to make lunch money.

[RacerX]

Got it some time ago. About 2 weeks back now. It works awesome, you're going to love it!

[Swampy]

I believe there's a P440 sitting in a big old box behind me right now. I have to wait until my B-day to find out for sure. :(

[bebop1065]

What's your address? I'll let you know!

:cool: