What would you buy?

[jorm]

Dear sirs

What is the equipment to make best possible quality pictures?  then i mean a step upwards from the known minilabs, if that is better quality?

Lets say price is not issue, only question is quality.

Best regards

jens

[photo7studio]

Ink jet dry lab.

[philspectrum]

I think you might invest more in image processing software.

I have seen awesome results from most labs.

Agree that 12 colour inkjet isbeyond comparrison. Z series from HP?

I would look at software.

[bubar]

It depends what you're calling quality !!!

The good question is : what level of quality is expected by your customers, or is it for yourself ? (I also have the virus   )

The one you find at next door chemist (mass retail ) or the one used for professionnal prints that finish in museums ?

If you choose the first any dry lab would fit (but that's not what I'm calling quality)

just try to print a properly exposed image with an adobe RGB profile...or a simple grey scale...  ;D

those printers are design for 95% of the consumers not for fine art printing

The other solution are quite expensive but we can start speaking about quality.

Basicaly : two main technologies at the moment  : silver halyde and inkjet ( photography VS digigraphy )

Both give excellent results (as long as you understand the full process....IT degree highly recomended  :-/ )

The main concerns should be :

-durability (of the machine and its manufacturer)

- consumables cost and availibility (now and in five years)

If you have a look in a few photographic galleries and museum , main printing processes are still C-print or B&W on fiber paper

You start finding some inkjet prints, but mainly for the wider sizes (32'' wide or more)

For the referenece, have a look at Ansel Adams prints (he was photographer AND printer) and his different studies about

photographic quality. There's also the Fresson process ...( don't expect any prints bellow £500 )....

and plenty others....but I'm now totally out of topic  

So to reply quickly  :

durst or epson for the widest format

Fuji or Kis wet lab for the rest

[Chopper]

I would look at all the different equipment on the market and gain your own opinion before making a decision on which manufacture, all equipment has its own for's and against!

[Kevbo37]

I don't believe the dry labs can compare to the sharpness of a laser wetlab Like Fuji, Noritsu, or Agfa for small prints or the Durst or Oce for large format.

[cecilh]

The  Kodak Apex must be good if it's the same quality as the G4s, I've heard that Tetenal have a fantastic offer on the Apex at the moment. Unfortunately we will have to try and get another couple of years from our wet lab so are not in the market.

[Dakar75]

I think NORITSU printers are the best there is

[Mark Amies]

By the way - Kodak's Apex system is dye diffusion thermal transfer - or to give it it's more common name , dye sub.

I am mentioning this because ithad been neglected in the thread.