Few purchases ...

[Scotty328i]

Morning all guys I am in need of a bit of advice I need to buy a few bits but have no idea where to go apart from selling my left leg and going to jessops ...

First thing is first - Photo printer

Choice of epson R360 or 285. The 285 is £20 cheaper and has the same DPI and does A4 with no border??? Any ideas why? I no its cheaper on the net to send your prints but I am lazy and would like the option to print when I like!

Secondly a filter - O need a neutral density filter (8) for a 58mm lense but am unsure where to go. On ebay they are about £9 for hoya but I don't have an account so any other options. Preferably in stock today!

Thirdly - A tripod

Minimal budget here and something that folds up nicely. Preferably something around 4-5ft. This will get used once in a blue moon so as long as it stands up I will be happy. Preferably in stock today aswell.

Thanks in advance!!!

[sgrimshaw]

R360 has memory card slots for direct printing, also can print direct from camera or external USB hard drive etc.

It also has a 3.5in colour LCD screen for preview use with direct printing etc.

Both use same inks, almost certainly identical printheads.

R360 does all the R285 does, plus a good deal more with direct print etc.

For me the R360 would be worth paying a bit more for.

In case you're not aware Epson have offer on both 360 and 285, at £79.99 and £59.99 respectively.

Simon

[TheCaseAce]

sgrimshaw said:

R360 has memory card slots for direct printing, also can print direct from camera or external USB hard drive etc.

I must be honest, I have no idea why anyone would ever do this.

When would you ever want to print a digital image without even looking at it on a big screen, and at the very least tweaking levels, exposure and so on. Paper and ink is fairly costly... and surely few people just randomly print stuff "in case" it's perfect first time.

Do they even print from RAW? I assume not.

The only benefit I can see is that you might copy images back to the card an then print from the card, but still - what's the point? Why noyt just plug the printer into the computer?

Does anyone use this feature?

[Dogsey]

TheCaseAce said:

sgrimshaw said:

R360 has memory card slots for direct printing, also can print direct from camera or external USB hard drive etc.

I must be honest, I have no idea why anyone would ever do this.

When would you ever want to print a digital image without even looking at it on a big screen, and at the very least tweaking levels, exposure and so on. Paper and ink is fairly costly... and surely few people just randomly print stuff "in case" it's perfect first time.

Do they even print from RAW? I assume not.

The only benefit I can see is that you might copy images back to the card an then print from the card, but still - what's the point? Why noyt just plug the printer into the computer?

Does anyone use this feature?

Yup, my parents-in-law. They have an average compact camera that they just use for holiday snaps, get home, plug it into the printer, select the ones they want to print and away they go. Not everyone printing pictures at home is a serious photographer.

[Scotty328i]

The R360 prints RAW

[TheCaseAce]

D'oh! Of course.

Still, I wouldn't pay £20 for it If i was the type to post on a photography forum. I'd rather spend £20 a filter, or on petrol to drive to somewhere pretty to photograph.

[sgrimshaw]

TheCaseAce said:

Does anyone use this feature?

I have the earlier model, the R300 and I do use the direct printing facility. At times I've done the following:

1. Used facility to print contact sheets of the entire card

2. Using "cheap" 6x4 media and TP inks (stopped using Epson's a long time ago), printing out all images on a card as "proofs"

3. Printed images for friends/family direct from camera.

My model doesn't even have an LCD to display the images, just a mono one for controls etc and I still find the direct facility useful.

Worth mentioning that when connected to the PC it is also a USB2.0 card reader, this I find very useful as it is always to hand when required.

[Scotty328i]

TheCaseAce said:

D'oh! Of course.

Still, I wouldn't pay £20 for it If i was the type to post on a photography forum. I'd rather spend £20 a filter, or on petrol to drive to somewhere pretty to photograph.

But then you have to print your pictures ...

[Gingerbread Man]

1. Printer. Get the R360, been recommended countless times on here in past 'what photo printer?' threads. Seen it in shops for £100 so I guess cheaper still online?


2. Filters. You can go the screw in filter route. The filter screws into the thread on the end of your lens. Or you can go the filter holder route.

Screw in will only fit the lens diameter you buy for. So for a new lens or different lens then you may have to buy yet another filter if you wish to use this option.

Filter holder attaches to end of lens. Glass filters, like slides are placed in the holder. Has the advantages of being able to use the filters on many different lens diameters, just need a filter holder per lens. Cheaper than a decent filter.

If you go screw in, I'd go for Hoya Pro. About £40 off ebay (I see you don't have an account).

3. Tripod wise. If you are looking a for a decent one, Manfrotto is a good make to go by. But if you will rarely use it. I'd say that any tripod will stand up 4/5' so go buy for your budget.


Ohh get an ebay account.



David

[Woody]

I can give the Epson R360 a
Great printer, and if you really want you can stick any cheap USB bluetooth adapter (not the mega expensive Epson one) in the USB slot and bluetooth photo's to it........ I only tried it once - honest
Saw the updated version of it in Comet last week for about £85.

Chris