lighten up and shoot

Just came across this site on the internet lightenupandshoot.com
If you have nothing to do, just surf around there, it's quite entertaining.

Now to some serious matters.
Just watch one of there videos and I mean not tut's but something like Behind The Scenes: La Ceja for example.
They shoot people on the street and give them a print.

Now I'm going with a small group of photographers to Morocco in May for around 10 days and it looks like an interesting idea to do the same.

Canon Selphy printers are small and some have a battery pack and printing cost is reasonable.

Does anyone have experience with such things and maybe have some advice, recommendations or just thoughts about it?

Also some feedback on Canon Selphy printer would be nice, certainly when using batteries.

Edit: the Canon SELPHY CP770 seems like the most likely candidate.

I do not have any experience with the Canon Selphy, though they do have good specs. I use when I have to do something like that a Epson PictureMate printer. Produces fine results in the field. If you are not so worried about outstanding quality, might I suggest the Polaroid PoGo printers which produces 2x3" prints using a zinc technology. I played with one on my last trip, and it printed direct from the camera using the usb cable. These are very compact, have a battery pack and are the size of a portable hard drive. I have to say the prints were good for what was being done.

The Photomonk

Just saw the "Friends dont' let friends pixel peep"
http://lightenupandshoot.blogspot.com/2009/11/pixel-peepers-episode-2.html

LOL!

I love the caption

wise words

I know someone with a Selphy, it produces postcard-sized photos (the paper is pre-marked for use as a postcard). It works very well indeed, although you need to be careful not to get fingerprints on the glossy side of the paper as they will show on the finished photo. It can also be a bit fiddly to get it to take up paper from the tray, although it's absolutely fascinating to watch once it does. The paper goes through three times to build up the different colours (all automated, it just pops out then goes back in again) Do make sure that you put the paper in the right way around, or your postcards will be upside down!

I have a Polaroid "PoGo" printer awaiting unwrapping on the 25th, the photos are about 3" x 2" and the printer is about the size of a smartphone. It can use either Bluetooth or Pictbridge to communicate with devices. I'm not expecting super-sharp wonder results, but it should be good fun. Packs of paper are around £10-£15 for 70 sheets, which isn't too bad a running cost.

Thank you very much Photomunk & Matt I'll look into that
How were the prints of the Polaroid "PoGo", my mother has an older selphy and the quality of those are good but a bit expensive though.

Matt I saw that one at Ned Bunnels blog space and that's how I came on that site, I really like it so far and that clip is hilarious.

Yes very true Mangoose, hopefully people will pick that up.

Stefan,

The quality of the prints were decent, and it was a fun device to have along. No worrying about ink cartridges and the like in transporting it, and the possible mess that could be.

The Photomonk

Photomunk the device looks nice but the prints are rather small.
The selphy prints are bigger and there is not much worry with inkt there either.
Will need to think this over and I'm glad I've some time to do that.

There are also some slightly larger portable printers that support Pictbridge - take a look at the Canon Pixma IP90. I usually expect to get four or five prints from a cartridge, so it isn't cheap to run but it does produce A4 photos to a high standard. There is a rechargeable battery kit to fit, although I don't have that part so mine is mains only.

The only snag, as mentioned before, is that the cartridges are tiny and it does tend to get through them at a fair speed. It is a very neat portable printer though.

You do have time, and there is time to look at the options. I use it for fun give-aways to folks and to use it for notes while I am on a shoot. The photo stock comes with an adhesive backing that can be applied to most anyplace, but in my case a notebook when making references on different work I am doing.

As noted also above, there is also the IP90, and when traveling, the less weight you take the better it is, and I do not mean just the airlines here, but your back and shoulders. The Selphy may not appear heavy, but add in its bulk, your gear, and other things and the weight builds fast, along with whatever you need to travel with.

The Photomonk

I would say that the IP90 probably weighs around the same as the Selphy. It also takes standard sizes of paper which may be helpful, and as it's intended as a business printer you may stand a better chance of getting hold of ink for it (or alternatively you can stock up on 3rd party cartridges before you go). It is bigger though.

I've just looked for battery pack/charger kits for them however, and the first result I found in the UK wanted £200 for one! I won't be adding one to mine at those prices...

OK, I just looked up through Canon USA the IP90 since I do not use Canon printers in my work (I prefer Epson first, followed by HP). A rather large printer if you are not on a business type trip. The supplies are not exactly cheap, but the USA prices are more reasonable than the UK prices. Considering the printer, supplies, battery pack, etc. you will need some sort of tote bag just for that. Add to that now your kit and bag. This might be a rather bulky way of achieving what you are trying to do, shoot folks on the street and just give them a photo. Not to mention the investment for such a venture.

You have time, research out the different possibilities. Remember two things in the end, you are the one that has to lug this equipment around and use it, and also will you have a use for it afterwards to actually justify the expense?

The Photomonk

Yes the IP90 is too big for that and I've a perfect printer here at home so it will not add any value, so the printer will only be used on trips.
It will probably come down to the Pogo or Selphy.

Just hoping they will come with a bigger Pogo or that they come with a new seplhy so that I can buy the old version cheaper

Okay I've thought it over and the Polaroid Pogo will be the one, so thank you guys for suggesting that one to me.

The reasons to chose it over the Canon Selphy are:
Cheaper (Canon selphy + Battery comes around the €210, and Pogo is €40)
Printing cost are the same
More rugged prints
Smaller size

The thing to go for Canon Selphy was that they have larger prints, so If the Pogo was only a bit larger that it would be even more interesting but it will have to do.
We will be giving the prints away for free so they aren't allowed to be to picky but the prints are tougher from the Pogo so they will last longer, also the Pogo is easier to carry around which is a big plus.

Have an question about the Pogo.
How many prints can you make on the battery and is there a way to expand it, like for example an extra battery or some other external device to give it power?

Okay I've found that you've extra batteries... only thing is that the battery is only €10 cheaper then the whole device... I might end up just getting two of them

Can someone tell me with the power input is of the device so that I can look for external power options?