FOR SONY ENTHUSIASTS: QUALITY AT A PRICE
Written: Oct 29 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wonderful images, true, brilliant color
Cons: Expensive to accessorize, and sometimes hard to find the extras
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| artbyjude's Full Review: Sony Digital Photo MS300 Dye Sublimation Printer |
Because I have long been a fan of Sony Video products, this compact printer seemed to be a logical step forward in reproducing the images my two cameras have been gathering. In point of fact, however, there are some limitations that should give you pause before you invest the money.
Since technology marches forward with it's hand in your pocket, you should understand that this product is ADAPTABLE to conventional printing, and photo manipulation programs. It is, however, set for SONY technology,and as such, takes a little more technical skill than may be accessed by the conventional "user", and also prints on 5x7 paper, which may not suit your needs, if you are a professional photographer.
Let's talk about why I bought this item. Having now acquired a memory stick camera (which can access as many as 200 high resolution photos on a single storage unit) I thought this printer might help me process a little faster, and increase my production level, as well as print true color and resolution to my images. It is also a well known fact that I am a sucker for Sony.
On the first two points, time and quantity, I have to say I am disappointed, although I have hopes that this will improve. On the third, and most important, the QUALITY of the images, I have been thrilled with the product and plan to use it extensively.
HOW THIS PRINTER DIFFERS FROM OTHER PRINTERS
1) Unlike my HP models, which are essentially inkjet technology, this printer offers a revolutionary color cartridge, which is more similar to a "layer" printing. In other words, each layer of basic color prints over the other to give the final result. For this reason, the printing of a single 5x7 photograph, takes around 2 minutes.
2) You must print (and I have not tried any variation of "regular papers"to test this) on specially manufactured sony paper, which comes in a package, with a color cartridge, which must be changed with each new pack. Sony produces about 6 different specialty packs. I am still working on the complementary 10 sheet pack. The standard pack contains 50 sheets, and runs about $40 a Circuit City. There is some variation in the use and format of these packs, including stickers and other items.
3) Like most quality printers, this one has a selectable quality level and several options.
4) You can print, providing you have a video out source, without your computer, and by theory, directly from the memory stick or pc card. This is one of the most attractive options, except that it means you must have an appropriate video- out monitor, such as a TV, or your computer with adaptive cards. (The Sony VIAO models have this built in. My Gateway does not)
5) You can print from other programs onto your Sony Printer, but you must use the printer as a default printer. The memory stick can be loaded into a floppy adapter and used in a similar way (which is what I have finally had to do) BUT it requires a considerable space on your hard drive, and more than any standard 32 RAM computer can easily handle.
All in all, I am still happy with the printer, but I'll just review the good and the bad, so you can make a logical choice.
THE GOOD
1) Super quality photos, which look like the real thing.
2) Works well with my Sony Cameras, and is compatible to other photo processing programs
3) Meets my non professional needs, as well as some professional needs, although it must be a backup system.
4) You get to buy into the best of Sony technology.
THE BAD
1) Not as universal as a standard HP photo resolution printer.
2) SONY recommends a variety of accessories that further add to the cost, such as a paper loader.
3) A video source is required to edit the memory stick processing, which I had hoped would eliminate the use of my hard drive, and make it portable.
4) The cost per print is over $1, for 5x7 and it makes printing "everything" not a logical choice
Sometimes when Items "New in the BOX " appear on national auction web sites, it is worth your while to see why your cost is less than nationally advertised prices. I paid half the advertised cost, and can see why the average user would find the product difficult and expensive.
I don't recommend this printer for anything than printing the photos you most want in hard copy. For everything else, a more universal and less expensive model will do. If you are a Sony fanatic, by all means take the plunge. Be sure you have enough hard drive to back up your enthusiasm, and be prepared to pay extra for the technology. I love the pictures themselves, and that alone was worth the extra aggravation. I keep it chained to my laptop, which also makes it a little more versatile, but I keep my HP for the bigger jobs.
Recommended:
Yes
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artbyjude
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Member: jude paxton
Location: In a state of confusion
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If I'd known TODAY was to be my TOMORROW I woulda done better YESTERDAY.
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