#Primera Color Prnt
19 messages in this thread
I recently saw an add for the FARGO Primera color printer and was
wondering if anyone knows anything about it? The advertised price of
$995 looks pretty good.
Norm,
I've seen the printer, but not in action. It only does something like 180
DPI X 180 DPI. The pricing I've seen has been between $699 – $749 for the
thermal print version, and an additional $249 for the dye sub full color
option (which sounds like it's well worth the investment).
Last months Computer Shopper has a review of the printer in it.
Norm,
I purchased a Fargo Primera Color Printer and the optional Photorealistic
Upgrade kit which enables the Primera to do dye sublimation color prints.
Using the 4 color ribbon in the normal (dye transfer) mode, the Primera
does a very good job printing color graphics on my Amiga 2000 and Amiga
4000. Some AGA graphics from DPaint IV were printed with truly excellent
fidelity. I had previously beeen using the HP 500C for color output, and
I would say that the Primera beats the HP 500C hands down in quality of
color output on graphics. Monochrome output with the monochrome ribbon is
excellent when using the coated paper made by Fargo which looks like a
glossy version of ordinary copy paper. When using ordinary copy paper the
monochrome output is not as good as that produced by my HP 500C. Be
advised that whereas Fargo has a driver for the normal (dye transfer) mode
of printing on the Amiga, they do not yet have ready a driver which
supports the dye sublimation (i.e. Photorealistic option). They promise to
have this within a month.
I have been using the Primera on my wife's 486 PC to print using the
Windows driver for the photorealistic upgrade of the Primera. I save 24
bit images captured by the Video Toaster to an MS Dos compatible disk
with CrossDos and print using Graphics Works in Windows. These dye
sublimation prints are far superior in detail to the normal dye transfer
prints and come very close to being truly photographic in realism. Only a
close examination reveals the dot pattern clue that it is not a
photograph.
One final piece of information. I purchased the Primera from Micro
Warehouse for $780. Micro Warehouse was very prompt, courteous, and
helpful. The initial Primera Color Printer that I received had an
intermittent problem. Micro Warehouse promptly shipped me out a
second Primera even before they had received my defective unit. They
could not have been nicer to work with!
Thanks for the quick response. Could you EMAIL the phone number for
Micro Warehouse. Did the $780 price include the "Photorealistic"
option?
Norm,
The number for Micro Warehouse is 1-800-367-7080. No, the $780 was the
price of the Primera Color Printer only. Micro Warehouse did not stock
the Photorealistic Upgrade. I had to order this directly from Fargo
Electronics at 1-800-327-4622 at a cost of $250. The driver for the dye
transfer capability (i.e. standard printing) for the Amiga is also
available only from Fargo. They sent the Amiga driver to me by overnight
air at no charge. The author of the printer driver for the Amiga rcently
contacted me on CIS and indicated that the driver for the Amiga which will
support the dye sublimation printing will be available very soon. Be
advised that the cost of doing dye sublimation is considerable. For
example, a 25 print kit consisting of ribbon and paper is $89. However,
if you are looking for near photographic quality, dye sublimation printing
is the only way to go. For color graphics, I find the normal dye transfer
printing mode to produce very fine results. Finally, just for the record,
I have no connection with Fargo whatsoever. I just think their printer
represents a real price breakthrough for both dye transfer and dye
sublimation printing.
Tom
P.S. PC Magazine just did a review of the Primera in their big printers
issue which I believe is the most recent issue. They were very impressed
with the Primera's performance at its price point.
Tom:
How expensive is the Primera printer in it's normal mode? Can you print
graphics with the normal mode to get a general idea of what the dye
sublimation will look like, so that you don't have to make any extra
expensive prints than you need?
// -Mike Schiller
\X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike,
I have been so impressed with the quality of graphics done in the normal
dye transfer mode with the Primera that I have not found it necessary to
use the dye sublimation mode for color graphics. I only use the dye
sublimation mode for printing photographic images, e.g. from Photo CD's,
frames grabbed from high quality video, etc. For photographic images,
there is great improvement in quality in moving from the normal dye
transfer to the dye sublimation mode. Here are list prices that will give
you some idea of the costs of the two types of printing. All prices are
list prices direct from Fargo Electronics. Actual street prices from mail
order firms are about 20% less. For dye transfer printing: 4-color ribbon
(80 prints/ribbon) is $45; Standard A-size paper,200 sheets is $14.95;
Premium grade paper (200 sheets) is $19.95. For Photorealistic
reproduction the paper and ribbon are sold together as a kit. A 25 print
photorealistic package is $89.95.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Primera is a thermal WAX
transfer printing system in its normal mode…not dye transfer.
Its resolution is 203 dpi and Byte magazine computed its wax transfer cost
per 4 color page at 57". Dye sublimations costs zoomed to $3.60 per page
using the 25 sheet refill pack.
Byte's only real complaint with the unit was its text abilities, which
they claimed looked like bit maps from an impact printer.
But they certainly agreed with your basic premise, for the dollars,
nothing else comes close…particularly in dye sublimation mode.
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
Gary,
I appreciate your correction. You are indeed right …the proper term is
thermal wax transfer. A printer expert I am not. I have only worked
extensively with two printers: the HP 500C and the Primera. Although the
HP500C is a fine printer for monochrome prints, I have only been
moderately impressed with the results on color graphics. I think my real
objection is to the state that ink jet printers leave the paper in when it
finally dries –rather wrinkled. I also frequently observe color banding
in prints made with my 500C. In contrst, I have found several graphics
printed in the thermal wax 4 color mode on the Primera from DPaint IV and
Final Copy II were really very very nice looking, and, in my personal
oppinion, superior by quite a margin to anything I have seen coming out of
my HP500C. I don't agree with Byte's comments about text on the Primera.
When I use the Premium Grade paper from Fargo, the Primera produces
monochrome text output that is fully comparable with the Laserwriter that
I use on my Mac. Regular copy paper produces text that is uneven and not
accceptable in quality. The dye sublimation mode of printing on the
Primera really does produce color prints that have a tonal range almost
comparable to a photograph and the superiority to thermal wax tranfer
printing for photographic images is readily apparent. Technology in color
printers is moving at a breakneck pace, but right now I think the Primera
represents a real breakthrough in the price/performance ratio for color
printers.
Tom
P.S. Nice to hear from another Carolinian. I'm in Raleigh.
The Primera sounds interesting, but I have to chuckle a bit, because I
still have an old Okimate 20 around here that I use for color printouts.
It's a 24-pin thermal wax transfer machine that's been around for at least
five years and cost me about $250 new. Aside from some horizontal banding
and a limited matrix (120×174 max) it puts out some very nice color
graphics, and reasonably cheaply even with the use-once ribbons. No dye
sublimation option, naturally. The Amiga printer prefs do support it but
I'll bet it's not even sold anymore.
— Ron Legro from Milwaukee via AUTOPILOT
(The only way to fly)
Hey Tom,
Unfortunately, the trouble with all this is that it's so damn subjective.
Anything to do with color is that way. In another piece on the Primera I
saw, they felt the output in wax mode was no better than the 550C.
Given such wide ranging opinions, I sure wouldn't advise anyone to buy it
mailorder without a test drive first.
Keep 'em straight in Raleigh!!
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
You are absolutely right about the subjectivity of such things as the
quality of a printer's output or the quality of video produced by a
camcorder, etc. My decision to purchase the Primera was made only
after seeing sample thermal wax output sent to me by Fargo upon my
request. No one should purchase items this expensive without seeing
the picture and judging the quality with their own eyes. For me the
attraction of the Primera is the ability to use dye sublimation
technology for printing at under a $1000 for the system. I have been
amazed by the tonal range that the dye sublimation prints afford,
although due to the dot matrix still being visible I would say even
the dye sublimation prints fall just short of photographic quality.
Tom
Makes it kinda hard to justify the next step up, doesn't it…$4000 or so
for Kodak's version?!
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
I did see a Primera test page in color, and it was good. For many
folks, the glossy, waxy, shiny, look of the thermal wax transfer
seems more vibrant. Others might be annoyed by it, though. — Ron
Legro from Milwaukee via AUTOPILOT
(The only way to fly)
Ron,
Completely off the subject… didn't you used to work for Software Etc? I
was in Milwaukee the weekend before last and, as chance would have it,
ended up at the Mall out by the County Zoo… stopped in to the store to
see if anyone knew you… 🙁 no one did.
Hey
I'm VERY interested in the driver for Primera.
Could you upload it OR give me a international fax or telephone number to
Fargo. 800 numbers doesnt work from Norway.:-(
THANK YOU VERY MUCH..
Geir Molstad, FAMO as, Fax +47 22357797
Geir,
I cannot upload the Amiga driver for the Primera color printer because it
is a copyrighted product of Fargo. Fargo can be reached at (612)
941-9470. Their FAX number is (612) 941-7836. Be advised that the
present version (2.0) of the Amiga driver cannot be used with the
Photorealistic Upgrade (dye sublimation technology). The Amiga driver
presently available is suitable only for normal dye tranfer printing. A
driver compatible with the Photorealistic Upgrade is promised "very
soon".
Tom
Tom:
Thanks, I just read a review in BYTE and they liked the printer also.
Norm
From Connecticut
>>>>On AUTOPILOT…..
The Fargo Primera wax transfer option is not good. You can do better
for that price. Pictures made with the dye sub option haven't been
real good either, but in this case, the Mac driver doesn't seem to
make use of the printer (still dithering…). Let's see… the Amiga
drivers for the Fargo are of limited use, but let's see what the
future brings…