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PhotoPlus Expo 2009 Printers ‘talk loud’ and say something
Two ‘Scaredy Cats’ Run for cover,
while Five Step up to the plate

 

Top printers for the job

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The Test

Each company was given the same two 1 MB jpeg files stored on a USB flash drive to print on a printer of their choice.  The printers chosen sported price tags ranging from $325.00 USD to $24,000.00 USD.

The pictures selected were from J’Ouvert morning in Brooklyn, New York 2009.  One is the image of a Boston pan woman playing a tenor pan and the other is of a bunch of pink devils happily making as much mischief and ruckus as they can think of - from our perspective two moments that really represent steelpan music culture and activities.

Picture 1

 

Picture 2

  The Judges

The judges were all  members of the press who were present in the press room.  They are world renowned photographers, editors, publishers,  technology journalists, who - beside having done  photography for a living, and worked for magazines and newspaper publications - bring a wealth of experience and knowledge.  They were asked to give feedback on the prints while viewing them simultaneously.  The judges never knew which print came from which printer - until after their verdicts.

The Participants

  • Noritsu
  • Kodak
  • Sony
  • Canon
  • Hewlett Packard

 

The results!!

Unanimous!

New York, USA - Ever wonder what happens when you take the product presenters out of their comfort zone and eliminate their prepared script?  Will they let their product do the talking?  Or will they bow out, run and hide?  When Steel Talks (WST) put seven highly-respected manufacturers of printers in that exact position.  The companies that did participate all fared remarkably well.  If they were queasy, scared or even apprehensive they never let on.  To their credit, the over-riding  attitude was “bring it on!” 
  • Documenting, storytelling and marketing through pictures

Test pic 1 - Young woman playing tenor steelpan instrument

Quality prints are critical to the visual telling of the story and documentation of any culture when hard copy is utilized.  Beyond the obvious individual albums and collections by enthusiasts of steelpan music happenings, and by the curious - quality photo prints are key to the marketing of any culture.  Every panyard and/or practice facility in the world is a library, museum and art gallery.  It is simply a matter of perspective and how we view these spaces where monumental genius work has accrued and continues to birth.  It is imperative that every organization carry and display its history with them through images at all times.

The key is having quality photography and then quality prints that reflect the intensity, emotions, vibrancy, colors, and lights and shades of the moment - to showcase at these sites.  And in this regard, as When Steel Talks has observed through its travels to panyards all over the world, the steelband culture, art form and community fall short, very short.  And there is no longer any excuse (not that there ever was)!  Printing technology has advanced to the point where awesome-looking quality prints can be had to fit all budgets.  So it does not matter whether it is a Ministry of Culture and Education, steelband association, orchestra, store chain, school, or ‘regular Joe’ - there is usually an economically feasible option available for anyone.

In this regard one of the main areas WST checked out at the PhotoPlus Expo was printers.  Also with the knowledge that our readers’ usage needs vary - from government agencies  to  students to Mom and Pop.

Here is what we found.  Some companies talk a good game but not all of them are really prepared to put their products on the line in the ultimate test, in the ultimate setting - an exhibition or major expo as the PhotoPlus Expo at Jacob Javits Center in New York.

Test pic 2 - Pink Devils

The “bravehearts” were Noritsu, Kodak, Canon, Sony and HP (Hewlett Packard).  The two cowards - we will not mention their names, but we will say that they (the decliners), are two of the biggest names in the printer business worldwide.  They looked absolutely petrified at the thought of an on-the-spot immediate product comparison/ examination, and not using one of their lab test photos.  WST thinks they did a disservice to their products, users and potential consumers.

Noritsu, one of the participants and leading manufacturers of high-end printers says that their printer is one “that turns your memories into treasures.”  And it was this concept that WST had in mind when approaching the various companies.

  • The Challenge

Canon’s David Singh highlights
the Pixma MP series of printers

Look - steelpan musicians’ performances present an interesting challenge to the photography world.  It is safe to say that there is probably not another situation like this.  The frontline instruments are most of the time silver chromed, the lighting conditions can be extremely intense (one way or the other), and the external ornaments on the stand and racks also provide intense reflective foregrounds and/or backgrounds.  Furthermore, everybody and everything is in motion.

When Steel Talks let it be known to each product presenter that every and anything they said could be and would probably be used, as we were investigating what were the best printers for producing photos of musicians and instruments in action.

Greg Joe, Noritsu

Andrew Kedas, Canon

Each participant chose their own printer and print size.  All chose 8x10s except Sony which opted to produce a 5x9 bordered print.  Each company also chose their own paper.  And each company rep was extremely knowledgeable and pleased about the features and workings of their respective printer.  And there were some “Wow” features that covered everything from the user developing their own “apps” for the printers - to full doubled-sided printing of small books complete with covers, on the fly.  However, we are not going talk about the bells and whistles, and operating technology here today - only about the quality of that final product - the print.

Rory Hanson, Hewlett Packard

Alan Niederman, Kodak

The printers we tested were:

  • Noritsu:  D703 a high performance dry printer
  • Kodak:  G4X
  • Sony:  SnapLab UP-CR20L
  • Canon:  Pixma Pro9000 Mark II
  • Hewlett Packard:  Photosmart Premium Web All-in-One Printer - C309n
  • What the experts had to say

The findings were extremely interesting.  While there were different preferences/situations (e.g. which finish looked best for use as a magazine cover), color realism, tone, balance and taste - the overwhelming consensus from our experts was that these were all acceptable prints in their own right - depending on use. The experts were not told the names of the companies or printers - until after they had finished their review.   And it turned out to be a thumbs-up for all the companies involved.  The press folks/ reviewers did express surprise when informed of the two companies that refused to participate.

When Steel Talks extends thanks to all those in the press room who took the time to share their expertise, knowledge and opinions not only on this issue, but on a host of topics throughout the expo.  The exchange and knowledge as always, were extremely valuable.

Despite the advances of display technology (such as use of digital picture frames, etc.), for many the hard copy of a picture is still the final payoff.  The consumer has the option to acquire photo prints from home printers, or those machines designed and sold for commercial use, such as very high-end printers like Noritsu’s D703.  Prints from such commercial printers are available to the general consumer, as many printing facilities and retail stores use such machines.  So go out, capture your history, and document and market your organization with quality prints.

To the participating companies: your belief in your products speaks volumes - the prints were indeed captivating.  And moreover they indeed did become treasures.

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2009 PDN PhotoPlus Expo articles:


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