Wallmart Finishes on top....litterally

I tried the WalMart prints and I really like them as well, but I also like the convenience of being able to print at home. For me, printing at home is the point of digital photograhy. Does anyone know how much the machine at WalMart cost? I know that it would be expensive, but I think that it might be worth the cost for me. I have been trying to find an inkjet printer that could print with the same quality as traditional prints, but have not found one. Anyone can help me with locating a Fuji Frontier machine?

Bogey said:

The reason:

I can do sharpening in the printer driver that is fantastic. It
brings out all the fine detail in the image without looking
sharpened. The camera shop does not.

I can boost the saturation a little for richer colors, the camera
shop does not.

I can use 'digital camera correction' whatever that is. The camera
shop does not.

If my Epson 880 can beat the camera shop, then the 785epx must
certainly widen the gap even farther.

tko said:

Why would anyone go to Walmart when they can print at home? I'm
doing 8X10's for about 33 cents (love those $8 ink cartridges) a
page using Qimage and a old Epson 720 printer - results are
stunning.

Seems to me going outside is less convenient, more expensive, and
harder to "personalize" to your liking.

For me, the biggest advantage about digital is being able to do you
own printing. I'd only consider going outside for poster size shots.

Click to expand...

--
Stay Focused

http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

Click to expand...

Hi Stephen,

The Fuji Frontier machine is not something you buy for the house. It is a professional photo printing system that retailers use, and is the size of a small room. For me, the great thing about digital photography is being able to see the photograph immediately after it is shot, and then choosing what I want to print. The most important thing is to have a photograph on paper that will last for a long time. I don't think there is a home printer that will produce photos that outlast the prints I get from a professional photo service. Thirty years from now, we'll all be sitting around the coffee table laughing about how we used to have files called "jpegs", and wondering if there is some company that could retrieve the old files off our CD-R's that have deteriorated and become obsolete.

Brian

Stephen said:

Bogey said:

The reason:

I can do sharpening in the printer driver that is fantastic. It
brings out all the fine detail in the image without looking
sharpened. The camera shop does not.

I can boost the saturation a little for richer colors, the camera
shop does not.

I can use 'digital camera correction' whatever that is. The camera
shop does not.

If my Epson 880 can beat the camera shop, then the 785epx must
certainly widen the gap even farther.

tko said:

Why would anyone go to Walmart when they can print at home? I'm
doing 8X10's for about 33 cents (love those $8 ink cartridges) a
page using Qimage and a old Epson 720 printer - results are
stunning.

Seems to me going outside is less convenient, more expensive, and
harder to "personalize" to your liking.

For me, the biggest advantage about digital is being able to do you
own printing. I'd only consider going outside for poster size shots.

Click to expand...

--
Stay Focused

http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Stephen,

I have seen a price range of $150,000-$170,000 for the Frontier.
You'd also need something like an entire room and a forklift to
place it.

Something more in the user price range is the new Kodak ML-500
announced at PMA. It list for about $20,000 .. prints an 8x10 in
13 seconds .. 270 an hour . material cost under a dollar .. and its
about the size of a two drawer filing cabinet .. 120 lbs.

RonB

Stephen said:

I tried the WalMart prints and I really like them as well, but I
also like the convenience of being able to print at home. For me,
printing at home is the point of digital photograhy. Does anyone
know how much the machine at WalMart cost? I know that it would be
expensive, but I think that it might be worth the cost for me. I
have been trying to find an inkjet printer that could print with
the same quality as traditional prints, but have not found one.
Anyone can help me with locating a Fuji Frontier machine?

Click to expand...

Once I spent time researching how to print properly (ICC Profile matching all devices, etc.) and how to use the various inks/papers/post-finishing and storage techniques, the prints I've produced on my 1280 are farrrrr better than anything I've gotten from any local photolab. How anyone can remove themselves from possibly the most critical phase of an image creation process - printing - is beyond me, especially when there's so many incredibly good ink jet printers on the market. Maybe for high volume prints where the quality is not a concern I can understand, but not if you care whether your colors or tones reflect what you intended.

I've never seen the set up described at Wal-Mart so I'm still learning here. I'll have to try a few prints.

However, why do you state that the Wal-Mart prints will last much longer than the home prints? Does Wal-Mart make certain claims? Epson makes some pretty strong claims for print life these days - an Epson 2000 will give 100-200 years print life. That compares well to a 25-50 year life for standard photo prints.

What is the largest print size that Wal Mart will do?

A ha. Hahaha. The Frontiers start at like US $150,000.

Stephen said:

I tried the WalMart prints and I really like them as well, but I
also like the convenience of being able to print at home. For me,
printing at home is the point of digital photograhy. Does anyone
know how much the machine at WalMart cost? I know that it would be
expensive, but I think that it might be worth the cost for me. I
have been trying to find an inkjet printer that could print with
the same quality as traditional prints, but have not found one.
Anyone can help me with locating a Fuji Frontier machine?

Click to expand...

Richard Akerman said:

A ha. Hahaha. The Frontiers start at like US $150,000.

Click to expand...

(but to be fair, there are inkjet minilabs starting around U$40,000)

http://www.phogenix.com/pr_020402.html

I now have an Epson 785epx. The prints from it (on premium glossy) will last 10 years on display, and probably lots longer in our photo albums, where most of them will stay. If I use Colorlife paper (I haven't tried it yet) the display prints are rated at 25 years under glass and, again, probably my lifetime in a photo albumn. I've seen film prints from the '60s and '70s that are mostly just red now. I'm assuming paper/emulsion has improved by now, but I doubt your average photolab prints will last as long as you think they will. But I've been wrong before.

I don't like having to upload photos to Walmart. They are far too big and I have too many to even consider that. Same goes for any on-line photo printer. Try uploading 1.2gb of photos and see how long it takes, even with broadband.

My local camera shop does prints, but they look awful. And the are actual photographs, not inkjet prints. .50 each

Wolf camera charges .75 each.

Does anyone have a rating for prints made by the various shops (Walmart, Wolf)?

Brian Black said:

I disagree. I have an Epson 880 at home as well. I'm an expert
computer user and do enjoy doing some of my own printing. However,
nothing compares to a good quality photo printed in the newer
professional "Fuji" digital photo labs that Wal-Mart and other
retailers have installed. I sharpen my photos a bit, and if needed,
do some minor editing before sending them to be printed. I have
tried most of the online services and they have been hit and miss,
as could be the case with some local print shops. I have been using
Wal-Mart for a short time and found them to be consistently good.
The paper will last a lot longer than the paper you use at home.
Plus, unless you buy expensive waterproof ink, the photos printed
on the Epson will run as soon as any moisture hits it. I have a two
year old, and when she gets grows up, I want her to enjoy the
pictures then as much as I do now.

Brian

Click to expand...

--'Think Outside The Box'. Once you're in the box, it's too late. http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

Precisely. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Jeff said:

Once I spent time researching how to print properly (ICC Profile
matching all devices, etc.) and how to use the various
inks/papers/post-finishing and storage techniques, the prints I've
produced on my 1280 are farrrrr better than anything I've gotten
from any local photolab. How anyone can remove themselves from
possibly the most critical phase of an image creation process -
printing - is beyond me, especially when there's so many incredibly
good ink jet printers on the market. Maybe for high volume prints
where the quality is not a concern I can understand, but not if you
care whether your colors or tones reflect what you intended.

Click to expand...

--'Think Outside The Box'. Once you're in the box, it's too late. http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

I did a little research for fun. Here's some of what I found out:

The key to its superior performance is its exclusive laser exposure system: specially developed blue and green solid state lasers along with a red semiconductor laser are used to "paint" the digital image onto the silver halide paper, which is then processed through traditional photographic wet chemistry. The laser technology minimizes flare and ensures smooth color gradation. The result is razor sharp, vivid prints with accurate color rendition, representing a major advancement in print performance.

The Frontier either does 10 X 15 maximum or 8 X 12, depending on the model. The Frontier works from negative, film, or digital inputs.

Prints on regular photographic paper (Kodak Royal VIII)

Prints at 300 dpi giving a continuous tone image which has the look of conventional optical printing from negatives (ink jet printers would need to print at 5000 dpi to give the same results)

Fujifilm USA is working with its mini-lab customer base on upgrading or buying new machines that can process film and digital media simultaneously. "What consumers know is bringing in your film and having prints made professionally. There is a real opportunity for retailers," says Fuji's Joe Welch. It's not cheap: a Fuji Frontier mini-lab machine goes for more than $250,000.

Wal-Mart's Rogers says his goal is to get the cost of digital prints cut in half (from 48 to 24 cents a print for a 4-by-6), which will happen as he upgrades his lab equipment and builds his digital clientele. Some 30% of Wal-Mart camera sales are now digital.

"Every commercial lab in the country will have a Frontier if it is going to survive."

Interesting, huh? The only limitation seems to be the final output size.

Costco is $1.99 for 8x10 and $.20 for 4x6. Of course
you have to be a member first but if you print a bunch
of 8x10's regularly it easily pays itself off in a month.

I thought my Epson 780 would be hard to beat, but
prints off Fuji Frontier blow it away. Also, you don't have
to worry about archival inks or fading 'cause they print
on Fuji Crystal Archive which is highly regarded and the same
paper they print traditional prints on.

BTW, the Epson 780 is no slouch. It supposed to rival the
quality of the expensive models with the exception of it being much
much slower (20 minutes for 8x10). Also it doesn't support "archival"
inks but the visible quality should be on par.

Most of them will let you use their online services without being a member.
Sams Club even works from Canada.

http://www.samsphotoclub.com/

http://www.walmart.com/photo/

both Costco and Kmart (Bluelight) use Kodak for their online service

http://picturecenter.kodak.com/costco
http://picturecenter.kodak.com/bluelight

chi said:

Costco is $1.99 for 8x10 and $.20 for 4x6. Of course
you have to be a member first but if you print a bunch
of 8x10's regularly it easily pays itself off in a month.

I thought my Epson 780 would be hard to beat, but
prints off Fuji Frontier blow it away. Also, you don't have
to worry about archival inks or fading 'cause they print
on Fuji Crystal Archive which is highly regarded and the same
paper they print traditional prints on.

BTW, the Epson 780 is no slouch. It supposed to rival the
quality of the expensive models with the exception of it being much
much slower (20 minutes for 8x10). Also it doesn't support "archival"
inks but the visible quality should be on par.

Click to expand...

I can't see uploading anything of 1.2gb in size all at once.

Bogey said:

I don't like having to upload photos to Walmart. They are far too
big and I have too many to even consider that. Same goes for any
on-line photo printer. Try uploading 1.2gb of photos and see how
long it takes, even with broadband.

Click to expand...

must be the lab you go to. there's absolutely no comparing the quality of the consumer ink jets talked about on this board compared to the process and final output from a real lab machine.

ink jets look great, don't get me wrong, but there's still no comparison.

ICC...just use sRGB as that's what the Frontier Machine at Walmart.com is set up for.

tim

Jeff said:

Once I spent time researching how to print properly (ICC Profile
matching all devices, etc.) and how to use the various
inks/papers/post-finishing and storage techniques, the prints I've
produced on my 1280 are farrrrr better than anything I've gotten
from any local photolab. How anyone can remove themselves from
possibly the most critical phase of an image creation process -
printing - is beyond me, especially when there's so many incredibly
good ink jet printers on the market. Maybe for high volume prints
where the quality is not a concern I can understand, but not if you
care whether your colors or tones reflect what you intended.

Click to expand...

Right now, I have about 400 pics to print. Even if I do them 5 at a time, that would take 80 uploads. Not me!

Tim Lauro said:

Bogey said:

I don't like having to upload photos to Walmart. They are far too
big and I have too many to even consider that. Same goes for any
on-line photo printer. Try uploading 1.2gb of photos and see how
long it takes, even with broadband.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--'Think Outside The Box'. Once you're in the box, it's too late. http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

Hi,

I don't upload my prints to Walmart. I have three Walmart stores within a few miles of my home. My wife goes there so often that it's not a special trip. I burn the photos I want printed to a CD-R and they print them within an hour. You get great photos in one hour, no uploading, no shipping, no problems.

Brian

Bogey said:

Tim Lauro said:

Bogey said:

I don't like having to upload photos to Walmart. They are far too
big and I have too many to even consider that. Same goes for any
on-line photo printer. Try uploading 1.2gb of photos and see how
long it takes, even with broadband.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
'Think Outside The Box'. Once you're in the box, it's
too late.

http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

Click to expand...

Can human eyes discern the difference between 2880 dpi and 1440 dpi? Exactly how much more dpi could or does a Fuji Frontier system have than an inkjet or dyesub printer. Exactly what are the differences? Would I have to use a loupe to see the difference or would the FF prints pass the "pepsi challange". Everyone that has looked at my Canon S800 prints is incredulous when told they came from an inkjet printer (they usually do a double take and hold it closer to see if they can spot something obvious). How much more impact would the FF prints have? I am not being confrontational, I truly am curious. Right now, the unanimous concensus from people who have seen the output from my Canon say they cannot tell the difference from lab prints. If thats the case, what does the extra cost buy me? For now, at least I can print 4x10, 9x7, 8x8, etc.

Tim Lauro said:

ink jets look great, don't get me wrong, but there's still no
comparison.

ICC...just use sRGB as that's what the Frontier Machine at
Walmart.com is set up for.

tim

Jeff said:

Once I spent time researching how to print properly (ICC Profile
matching all devices, etc.) and how to use the various
inks/papers/post-finishing and storage techniques, the prints I've
produced on my 1280 are farrrrr better than anything I've gotten
from any local photolab. How anyone can remove themselves from
possibly the most critical phase of an image creation process -
printing - is beyond me, especially when there's so many incredibly
good ink jet printers on the market. Maybe for high volume prints
where the quality is not a concern I can understand, but not if you
care whether your colors or tones reflect what you intended.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I had some photos printed by Asda last night and was VERY impressed with the results. The photo paper was a satin type finish and the print clarity was A1. I had to go into the store, but I was able to take them home with me after I'd finished my shopping! (less than an hour) (64p per 7x5)

I've previously had photos printed by the Jessops on-line service. They turned out better that I could print with my Epson 895DC (which I worship!) but not as good as the Asda service. (48p per 7x5) with about £1.50 postage.

The machine they used there was the same as the US Wallmart - the Fuji Frontier.

Overall I am frantically sorting my prints (cropping etc.) to go back to Asda to complete my albums!

Although more expensive, it's quicker and easier than printing at home!

sabine haller said:

Hello All

Does anyone know, if Asda in the UK (now owned by Wallmart) offer
the same kind of service ?

Greetings
Sabine

Click to expand...

it's a pain at times, but I've been doing about 20 per night. worse yet is just going to Walmart to get them

Ofoto is pretty consistant and delivers, but more money that I need to spend.

Bogey said:

Tim Lauro said:

Bogey said:

I don't like having to upload photos to Walmart. They are far too
big and I have too many to even consider that. Same goes for any
on-line photo printer. Try uploading 1.2gb of photos and see how
long it takes, even with broadband.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
'Think Outside The Box'. Once you're in the box, it's
too late.

http://home.attbi.com/~keylargographics

Click to expand...

it's more the finish and yes to an extent the clarity of the photos.

look....I print at home too and work in the world of digital imaging which allows my exposure to our equipment & capabilites listed below. ink jet is ink jet and processing is processing. there is a visible difference. I do both pretty extensively.

Kodak Q-Lab Process Monitoring Service with
Control Strip Run Twice Daily
E-6, B&W and C-41 Processors
Dip and Dunk Processing
35mm to 8 x 10 Capabilities
Custom Printing
Hand Printed Color and B&W
Custom Color Prints to 30 x 40
(Digital Color Prints Up to 5' x 100')
Custom Black & White Prints to 20 x 24
Duratrans and DuraClear
DuraFlex High Color Prints
Color and B&W Copy Negatives and Internegatives
Color and B&W Proof Sheets

Don Daugherty said:

Tim Lauro said:

ink jets look great, don't get me wrong, but there's still no
comparison.

ICC...just use sRGB as that's what the Frontier Machine at
Walmart.com is set up for.

tim

Jeff said:

Once I spent time researching how to print properly (ICC Profile
matching all devices, etc.) and how to use the various
inks/papers/post-finishing and storage techniques, the prints I've
produced on my 1280 are farrrrr better than anything I've gotten
from any local photolab. How anyone can remove themselves from
possibly the most critical phase of an image creation process -
printing - is beyond me, especially when there's so many incredibly
good ink jet printers on the market. Maybe for high volume prints
where the quality is not a concern I can understand, but not if you
care whether your colors or tones reflect what you intended.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

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