Photoshop Elements - CS2 - CS3 Which one?

Hi all,
Quick question, I use a HP Photosmart Pro B9180 with Photoshop Elements 5, results average. Any suggestions of what to upgrade to CS2, CS3?
tom k

In what way are the results average? I use an HP printer (a C5280) and PSE6 and have no problems with my prints. Previously I used PSE4 with no problems.
Maybe it is your screen rather than either PSE or your printer. Is it calibrated? What inks are you using? What paper?
I would pursue all other possibilities before blaming PSE and forking out on full Photoshop. PSE does nearly everything you need for photo work

Well i am not blaming PSE5 it's maybe me!!
My screen is calibrated, the printer runs on Vivera HP inks (8of), HP photo paper 280gsm.
Most of the prints are quite alot darker compared to screen.
Eliments 5 does not support Photosmart pro plug-in for Photoshop but i did find using it on a trial of CS2 both screen and prints were the same.

I'm getting the same problem with our HP B9180 , all prints are darker than on my calibrated MAC screen, either printing from Aperture or CS3. There was a firmware update for the printer which I think I got round to installing, but couldn't re-run the printer calibration as I had run out of the correct paper!

I'm sure it's something simple, but haven't worked it out yet!

Printer calibration issues have nothing to do with what version of Photoshop you are running... if you have problems in PSE then you'll have problems in CS2 and CS3. The only difference is you'll have more options to mess around with, get frustrated with, and still fail

The printer drivers often make assumptions about the software you are using to print. A great deal of the drivers will assume "dumb" printing software, so the driver will try to correct the images itself

You have to work out which settings let the data "straight" through to the printer, with out the driver getting its hands on the image! Most drivers will have an "sRGB" setting - and this generally will work.

You may find it helpful to check out my thread on colour management

PS. It's also true that prints will look duller than display. Displays are transmissive, whereas prints are reflective. Normally, though, if you look at the print in diffused sunlight (difficult in the UK!!) it should match the display that is viewed in subdued conditions. (But that's a generalisation!)

Matt

Well i am no expert, but using Photosmart pro plug-in for Photoshop that comes with the HP B9180 printer software works fine in CS2 but it is not supported in PSE 5 and thus darker, duller prints unless you play around with the settings.

tom

Having a plugin is an extra.
The printer should be able to produce correct results from any colour managed application (and PSE is colour managed... albeit with reduced options).
If I had access to the HP printer you mentioned I could probably work out the settings... but alas, I only have Epson printers.
Matt

Well, you're quite welcome to come round and play Matt!

How do you have the colour settings in PSE5? And do you have sRGB or Adobe RGB set as standard. These can affect the printer output.
I have looked at the handbook for your printer and can see no reason why you would need the plug in, even with full Photoshop. Chapter 3 in the handbook clearly explains how to set things up in PSE for your printer.

Unlocker - found a Recommended HP Photosmart Driver Patch on the HP site, dated 29/01/2008 aimed at CS3, but it's most probably the one you got.
I have loaded it, have to try it now.
Also asked HP for some advice.
Gwyn - tried sRGB and Adobe RGB both with simalar results, having another look at my hand book.
tom

There is a firmware update for the printer itself, not a plug in or software upgrade for the computer.

My manual also says that the plugin for CS3 isn't needed as CS3 apparently supports it direct. Must admit, haven't tried anything for a couple of weeks, will be trying again this week though as we have some wedding photos to print out!

My CS3 is set to sRGB, Monitor sRGB, Printer settings in CS3 set to Photoshop Manages colour, Printer colour settings OFF, Brightness -8 on printer..All photos print as screen colours/Brightness etc.

Running.
Vista, CS3, Lightroom 2, Canon i9950 pro Printer with Canon Inks & Paper
Even running CS3 in Adobe 1998 the prints still come out spot on, I think where most people have problems is cheap inks and useing paper with no profiles And Adobe RGB 1998 Plugin for Canon printers never works, as Matt said the printer should print without plugins

I use Adobe.RGB at the printing stage....Epson printer though, but should be ok with all makes.
The thing is....turn OFF all colour management in ya Printer driver....and see if Elements has a colour profile setup to match your paper
So when ya print....you choose this, and it should be ok.
The printer it self wont alter anything...

what color mode are you using?
16 bit? if so try switching mode to 8 bit before printing.

We have CS2, CS4, Elements 5 and Elements 7 at work.

We find that Elements 5 or 7 do everything that we need from a photographic viewpoint.