Kodak Reviews

This paper is alright. Photos printed pretty good. Only complaint is that the paper is not as glossy as the Canon Photo Pro paper.

Review based on photos printed from a Canon S750 printer.

I've tried numerous papers on my aging HP 970 CXi and HP 930C printers, and for glossy prints Kodak Ultima is by far the best. The paper is thick, heavy, and relatively durable. Even heavy black areas dry quickly. Greyscale looks like greyscale, not like sepia as it does on many other papers. Colors are vibrant with sharp edges, and true to the original, especially when the saturation is boosted one notch in the print driver. I have not been able to test the paper on other printers, but if it's anything like this you won't be dissapointed.

Caution, the paper is listed as high glossy. I was disappointed when I received it and found that it was not high glossy as advertised, but satin. Now that I read the fine print it does say satin. Would be nice if the description was correct! Also, it was sent in a box that was too small and the corners were bent. Not what I wanted to find on nearly a dollar a sheet paper. This was however my first problem with Amazon[.com] after many purchases.

I have an Epson 890 printer which I bought for printing digital photos at home. It has a roll attachment and an excellent reputation. I did reviews twice on this printer. It was this printer I used to print with this paper.

EARLIER EXPERIENCES WITH KODAK PAPER WERE NOT GOOD.
I had tried Kodak paper early on with this printer and the results were horrible. So I opted to go with only Epson paper and am quite pleased with the results. However, it needs to be noted, that the Epson printer is optimized for Epson paper and this is not too surprising. Most printer manufacturers make their money on the "consumables" versus the printers themselves, so this is their primary focus. Consumables being ink and paper. Only their paper and ink will give you the best results, if it is up to them.

EPSON PAPER IS NOT ON EVERY SHELF THOUGH: KODAK IS:
However, if you want to buy paper locally, all you find here (in Rochester NY) is Kodak paper and HP at the grocery stores. I felt it was a pity, I could not opt for an easier to buy paper.

KODAK GIVES YOU THE SOFTWARE YOU NEED TO OPTIMIZE ALL THE PRINTERS OUT THERE:
The Kodak paper advertized on the package that it works on all injet printers and mentioned some software I could download to optimize my printer to do this. So I said: Why not give it a shot? I can return it if I'm not satified with the results.

FREE SOFTWARE ON THEIR WEBSITE:
I went to their website and downloaded their software: There were 3 pieces. The Kodak picture transfer software, to use with the latest Kodak cameras and docks, the Kodak picture software for picture manipulation and then the specialized printer optimizing software: "One touch printing software". This one touch printing software is done by printer type, so it is customized for what you need. It actually had a selection for the Epson 890. I would imagine you can pair the Kodak picture software and the printing software with any other camera's transfer software.

PRINTED BOTH ON EPSON PAPER AND ON KODAK PAPER EXAMPLE OF SAME PRINT (3MP CLOSE UP OF AN AFRICAN VIOLET):
I ran an 8 X 10 picture on first the Epson paper with the Epson drivers and then the same picture minutes later, on the Kodak paper with the One touch printing selection on, in the Kodak picture software. What can I say but Wow! My previous complaint about Kodak paper in my printer was more than resolved. The photo it printed was crisp, clear and had more "true-to-life" colors than the Espon picture did. I really thought the Epson paper was top notch until I saw this.

LONGER LIFE:
One thing I did hear, and this may be advertizing claims only, is that the Kodak paper has a longer shelf life than the Epson paper. I know one of the concerns with ink jet paper in general is a fading problem and a shorter shelf life than conventional photographs. What better than to go to the company that has done this for years with regular pictures.

So now, I have to eat my words from earlier Epson printer reviews. I have added a P.S. to them. You can not only use Epson paper with an Epson printer, but you can use Kodak too and possibly with better results. Try it yourself like I did. Now I can buy some of the the cool options I see out there locally too.

This item broke after 6 months. This is a very handy item to have especially since you can charge batteries while you are using the camera. You have to be very careful plugging and unplugging into the ac outlet or the unit breaks easily.

This charger is speedy and compact -- necessities for effective picture-taking.

But the plug (which pivots out from the unit to plug into a wall) is flimsy. After only five months of occasional use, the pivot came loose and now the plug doesn't carry power into the charger. So I can waste time getting warranty service, or I can spend $80 for a new charger.

I love this item as you just plug it in, no extra wires to mess with. The plug is connected to the battery charger.