Deuce 1 #1 May 31, 2003 OK it's got a little monitor, like 2". You can crop on it like with the camera (10D) You hit print and 55 seconds later you're looking at a 4 X 6 print. Anyhow, computer free! Just plug the compact flash card in and blammo! I'm thinking of using it to print teaser prints to get people to order the hi-res version off my shutterfly site. Awfully simple. I happened to have my one jump from Perris in the CF card, and printed the exit shot of LouDiamond in his birdman suit. Heck, the whole sales staff is coming out to do tandems, even though I was standing there in my idiot moonboot with a skydiving related booboo. Whattya think? Very plug and play, and fully hi-res when hooked up to a computer, but not necessary and you can crop, too. Hmmm. They got them at Costco for $279. FYI http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=1268180&affid=2165 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #2 May 31, 2003 So are you saying that my picture motivated those people to go do tandems at your DZ? If so I think I should get a % for a finders feeSounds like a cool printer but the big question is how much do the replacement ink cartridges cost? They sell ya the printer for peanuts but stick it to you when it's time to buy the ink. Could you sell the 4X6 prints, do they look that good? Some once told me you have got to get your money back for your related expenses If it can make ya a few bucks you wouldn't get otherwise cause they wouldn't buy bigger shots then it may be a good investment. Just have to figure out how much each print costs you ink and how much you have to sell them for to break even or turn a profit. "It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #3 May 31, 2003 Yeah, buddy! Recover those costs!This would be advertising only, pretty much. I didn't get to pick McGowan's brain about his album he had out, but I think the deal is like with wedding proofs. Get people to look at the pictures in the album, and then order prints of whatever size from my shutterfly account, or have them place the order with me, and I'd have them printed and sent by Shutterfly. I just really liked that the only cable involved is the power cord to the printer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fasterfaller 0 #4 June 1, 2003 Go with the epson 2200 printer . It costs about $80 to change all the inks at one time and the light cyan and light magenta go twice as fast as the others . I have been shooting cars at local car shows and making a fortune by printing my own photos for sale . I buy paper on 50 meter rolls dirt cheap . Screw having a photo service make all your orofit . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #5 June 1, 2003 QuoteScrew having a photo service make all your orofit. Well, one of the key issues in any business is a break even analysis. If you print at home you have to figure in; Labor for order taking Cost of printer Cost of ink Cost of paper Labor for printing Cost of packaging Cost of shipping An outside service means you must figure in; Cost of labor to upload Annual membership fee Per print wholesale cost Per order percentage It's a difficult thing to figure out and pretty hard to place a number to as to which is more profitable. Clearly an outside service is much, much less of a hassle.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #6 June 1, 2003 From what I've seen and played with, go Epson... not to expensive and I thing the results (size and quality) are much nicer.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fasterfaller 0 #7 June 1, 2003 It doesn't take long to break even with this printer . If you do it right you factor in the paper , ink , cost of the printer , cost of replacing it when it wears out , and your time . In just over 3 months I have paid off my first printer and over half of my second one . As for my camera equipment I paid it off in less than 15 shoot fees . I am now upgrading my lens selection . I just can't see why people want to GIVE away their profits . I am now printing for other photrographers and that is where I am starting to make some serious coin . I just hope they don't realize how easy it is to print their own . On the paper cost issue , I purchased over 20,000' of 8" and 60,000' of 4" paper at a VERY low price . I am ordering that same amount again as I can not let the price get away from me . On the ink cost issue , I will be upgrading to two new epson wide format printers that can use the large ink tanks . A refill costs over 600 for all inks but I will be able to do OVER 600 8x10's before I replace all of the inks . Right now I am printing for myself and 10 other photographers and I am bringing in over 2K a month for doing next to no work . I am selling 8x10's for $10 a piece and after my cost formula runs I am making about $5 a photo free and clear . So Quade how many other people shoot digital at your DZ ? Ask around and you my find a Huge profit center for your evenings printing for others . Most people think a $700 printer is a waste of money but I realize it is a tool that can make me a lot of extra Cash . Think about it . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #8 June 1, 2003 QuoteRight now I am printing for myself and 10 other photographers and I am bringing in over 2K a month for doing next to no work . I am selling 8x10's for $10 a piece and after my cost formula runs I am making about $5 a photo free and clear . Lemme see . . . $2,000 / $5 = 400 prints per month . . . figure 4 minutes per 8x10 (just guessing based on my Epson 1280) = 1600 minutes / 60 minutes = 26.666 hours + at least some other time thrown in for logistics, order taking and crap so let's round that up to maybe a total time investment of maybe 40 hours per month or 10 hours a week or about 2 hours per weeknight. $2000 / 40 = $50 per hour. Actually, that's not too bad. If I was in need of work or tight on money, I might consider it as a part time gig. I don't know if I'd be able to find 400 prints per month to do, but it's like that in all lines of small business. On the other hand, I'm not really in this for the business. Sure, it's set up that way and I do make a taxable profit (and tax deductions!), but my goal is to do quality work AND still have time to enjoy the rest of my life. I already work at least 40 (this week it's closer to 70) hours per week and I usually only get time to jump on the weekends (except weekends like this one). I don't want to spend every weeknight printing too! So, for me, the service (http://Shutterfly.com) allows me to take cool photos during the weekend, upload them where other folks can see and order them and basically all I have to worry about after that is cashing the checks! No order taking, no print time, no packaging or post. For -me- it's a much simpler solution. Oh, BTW, I already have an Epson 1280 and it -does- put out very, very nice prints and I -do- print on-site for some special events.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlie 0 #9 June 1, 2003 I was looking at the Epson C82 alongside the HP 5550. In all, I thought the C82 was a better buy in terms of print quality and features (ability to replace one color at a time). What do you guys think?My other ride is the relative wind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #10 June 3, 2003 you are going to get better photo prints from the photo stylus printers than the c series which are general purpose printers. I have an 820 and 1280 epson photo stylus and when used with ood paper you get "great prints" that should get you a 10-20 year shelf life when framed behind glass. Granted you have a good image to start from. Garbage in garbage out.www.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #11 June 3, 2003 Peter! I've never seen you with the helmet on, so I didn't recognize you! Are you going to play with the Dz.com crowd at the American Boogie? You gonna be organizing big belly stuff? Huh? Huh? Huh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blazetailman 0 #12 June 3, 2003 If you dzcomers will have me? I'll do a little organizng, Rodger Ponce is the big dog he'll do the big ways. But I'm going to be doing a lot of video jumps to film the event to put a boogie video together. Plans for some cool hybrid with myself and Guano Freefly in the works. Any one that is interested find us at the boogie. Jump in front of the camera when you get a chance. pics from my good friend Chris Salcone. Here are two pics with me without my helmet. Cheerswww.canopyflightcenter.com www.skydivesac.com www.guanofreefly.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #13 June 4, 2003 We jumped together at Davis when I was on my coaching binge. It'll be nice to get some stuff together later this month. Very nice hybrid shots! JP (the dumb one, from Byron) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
