We get many customers asking about the Kodak docking printer. When I
explain to them that the cost is twice what we charge for prints, they
usually decide against it. I agree though, that when the cost of paper and
ink is competitive with our kiosk, they will sell like hotcakes.
Bill
And there's worse news (for labs) on the horizon: One of Kodak's
sensible (for the consumer) innovations with digital is the docking
printer, to which you simply attach your camera and select the shots you
want for 4 x 6 prints. Kodak has just basically made it an open system
which any other manufacturer can use with no royalties or licensing
costs. Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Konica-Minolta and a couple of others
have already signed up. (Canon is conspicuous by their absence. Sony
hasn't signed on but it's typical for them to go it alone as with their
"memory stick".)
At the moment I think it's still cheaper to go to a photo shop rather
than print your own with one of these but that'll change when volume
goes up...
--
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com
