Kodak ML-500

[Scott_Brinegar]

Has anyone seen a print from the recently announced Kodak ML-500? How does it compare to the 8660?
-Scott

[Matt_McMillan]

It uses the same print engine as the 8660 so prints should be the same. Only faster.


Matt

[ March 11, 2002: Message edited by: Matt McMillan ]

[BillyGarrett]

I have seen some of the results from the ML-500. I think that the prints look better than the 8660. The only draw back that I see about this printer is that you really do not want to print out 1 print at a time due to the spooling of the paper. As for speed its works great in that aspect. I got a chance to meet with a kodak rep at my dealer, and he was able to show me some of the prints, specs, and how it worked. If I had some extra money around I think that I may buy one.

[DougAxford]

Billy G. is right about quality and not printing small orders. Each time the printer runs out of images in the spooler, you waste 5" or so of paper. You can count on a lot of paper wastage if you are a single shooter printing packs on demand. Best bet is to calculate the cost of this printer and divide by savings of material cost (supposed to be 90 cents per 8x10) and then how many prints you need to make to pay for the extra hardware. This printer is also a whole lot bigger and heavier than others. A lot of factors to consider. I saw it at PMA and was impressed - for a few hours until reality sank in.

[Matt_McMillan]

Has anybody been quoted a ballpark figure on price?

How were the images better? Have they changed media? Not doubting just want to know, I hope to see samples in person soon.

Everything I have read (kodak site) states that it's based on the 8660 and the biggest differences is the roll media, firewire only, and speed.

Matt

I had heard it will be around $20K.

Another drawback is that it REQUIRES a separte PC for spooling! thats another
~$1500

Desktop Digital has it on their website: http://www.desktopdarkroom.com/produ...ers/ml500.html

After reading some of the above post, this does not look like a good match for event stuff with walkups.

It would work well for pre-paid organized events where you provide packages to many people like tournements, dances, etc.

At 20K is not a bad price for events like I mentioned..like a HS prom..2-8x10s 4-5x7s 1 sheet of 3x5 and 1 sheet of wallets...thats 6 8x10 per couple...100 couples... at 270 prints/hour you could have the prints ready at the end of the dance, and walk away with a net of ~$2400(based on $30/couple - $6 for media(not counting the groups shots etc). Do that 10 times and it is paid for!
It would be an exhausting night though!

You would need 10 8660s to get the same print/hour rate, plus your media costs are double!

I have the 8660, and love it. The prints are almost as bullet proof as laminated place mats! Get sticky carnival hands on it....just wipe it off with a damp cloth, heck you can even run it under the tap to clean it!

-John

[ March 14, 2002: Message edited by: johnr ]