HP Photo Printing

[Kimmo]

I have just purchased a cheap HP PSC 1315 device, and printed out a
couple of photos. First, I forgot to put in the HP photo cartridge
(No. 58), so the printer was using standard three-color and black
catridges (No. 56 & 57). Then I replaced the black cartridge with the
photo cartridge, and printed the same photo with cartridges No. 57 &
58. Both prints were produced on 10x15cm HP premium plus photo paper
(280g/m2). There was very little difference on the quality of these
prints (both were good enough for me). This brought up couple of
questions on my mind:

Was the cartridge No. 57 consumed equally in both examples, or was it
consumed less in the second example as some of the ink came from the
second color cartridge (No. 58)? In the other words, is the second
color cartridge just extra ink consumption when used, or is the
concumption balanced between the two cartridges? Was one of these
prints more expensive than the other? Does the second print last
longer than the first one? Is there any other reason than the quality
that photos should not be printed without the photo cartridge?

I also have one heavy-duty HP Inkjet printer, which I use to make
regular document prints etc. So this new printer will mostly be for
printing photos, posters and other color stuff, directly from camera
and otherwise. Maybe only occasionally some document pages. Would you
therefore recommend me to permanently keep in two color cartridges
(No. 57 & 58), or keep switching to No. 56 (black) when regular paper
prints are being made? Switching is really pain in the ass as it
re-calibrates the cartridges everytime you make a switch. As I said,
most - if not all - of the prints will be in color, but not all will
be printed on photo paper.

Thanks in advance for your expert answers.

 

[Bob Headrick]

I have just purchased a cheap HP PSC 1315 device, and printed out a
couple of photos. First, I forgot to put in the HP photo cartridge
(No. 58), so the printer was using standard three-color and black
catridges (No. 56 & 57). Then I replaced the black cartridge with the
photo cartridge, and printed the same photo with cartridges No. 57 &
58. Both prints were produced on 10x15cm HP premium plus photo paper
(280g/m2). There was very little difference on the quality of these
prints (both were good enough for me).

In terms of image quality the 58 cartrdige will provide smoother graduations of
color and less grainiy prints. The place this may show up the most would be in
light tones such as light skin tones and sky or clouds.

Was the cartridge No. 57 consumed equally in both examples, or was it
consumed less in the second example as some of the ink came from the
second color cartridge (No. 58)? In the other words, is the second
color cartridge just extra ink consumption when used, or is the
concumption balanced between the two cartridges?

It depends somewhat on what is printing, but in general the six ink printing
will use more ink than the 3 ink printing.

Was one of these
prints more expensive than the other? Does the second print last
longer than the first one? Is there any other reason than the quality
that photos should not be printed without the photo cartridge?

The second print was more expensive to print, but will have better
lightfastness - something like 73 years under glass vs 15 years. See
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/hp_5550_preview.html or look over the other
reviews at http://www.wilhelm-research.com/ for more articles on lightfastness
and image preservation tradeoffs.

I also have one heavy-duty HP Inkjet printer, which I use to make
regular document prints etc. So this new printer will mostly be for
printing photos, posters and other color stuff, directly from camera
and otherwise. Maybe only occasionally some document pages. Would you
therefore recommend me to permanently keep in two color cartridges
(No. 57 & 58), or keep switching to No. 56 (black) when regular paper
prints are being made? Switching is really pain in the ass as it
re-calibrates the cartridges everytime you make a switch. As I said,
most - if not all - of the prints will be in color, but not all will
be printed on photo paper.

The 58 cartrdige does not give much advantage on plain paper. In your case I
would suggest leaving the 58 in place until you use it up, then just print with
the 56 and 57 cartrdiges if the quality is acceptable (unless the lightfastness
is important). You should be able to print with just the 57 cartrdige
installed, which would save one alignment cycle when going from the six ink
printing to three ink printing.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP

 

[Aylesbury Duck]

I'm afraid that I am not of much help but thought I would let you know
that I found your post whilst searching for the same information and
to let you know that you are not alone in your confusion on the
various cartridges. I can find nothing in my documentation
(Deskjet5850) nor wot to do with the 'cartridge protector that came
with the 58 Photo cartridge.
I could find nothing on the HP website and have emailed HP support.
I will come back if I get a useful reply.

 

[Dave C.]

Thanks for that explanaiton, Bob. Kimmo, I print mostly promotional 4x6
prints and generally use the 56 and 57 almost all the time.

--
Dave C.

(e-mail address removed)9et

Remove the five 9's (leave the 4) for email.

 

[Kimmo]

I'm afraid that I am not of much help but thought I would let you know
that I found your post whilst searching for the same information and
to let you know that you are not alone in your confusion on the
various cartridges. I can find nothing in my documentation
(Deskjet5850) nor wot to do with the 'cartridge protector that came
with the 58 Photo cartridge.
I could find nothing on the HP website and have emailed HP support.
I will come back if I get a useful reply.

Thanks Bob, all!

Your explanations clarified things a lot to me.

Duck,

You put the cartridge protector on the cartridge when it is not in the
printer. It protects the print-heads (nozzles). You are supposed to
store the color cartridges with nozles up, and black cartridges
nozzles down (don't ask me why).

 

[E. Barry Bruyea]

I have just purchased a cheap HP PSC 1315 device, and printed out a
couple of photos. First, I forgot to put in the HP photo cartridge
(No. 58), so the printer was using standard three-color and black
catridges (No. 56 & 57). Then I replaced the black cartridge with the
photo cartridge, and printed the same photo with cartridges No. 57 &
58. Both prints were produced on 10x15cm HP premium plus photo paper
(280g/m2). There was very little difference on the quality of these
prints (both were good enough for me). This brought up couple of
questions on my mind:

Was the cartridge No. 57 consumed equally in both examples, or was it
consumed less in the second example as some of the ink came from the
second color cartridge (No. 58)? In the other words, is the second
color cartridge just extra ink consumption when used, or is the
concumption balanced between the two cartridges? Was one of these
prints more expensive than the other? Does the second print last
longer than the first one? Is there any other reason than the quality
that photos should not be printed without the photo cartridge?

I also have one heavy-duty HP Inkjet printer, which I use to make
regular document prints etc. So this new printer will mostly be for
printing photos, posters and other color stuff, directly from camera
and otherwise. Maybe only occasionally some document pages. Would you
therefore recommend me to permanently keep in two color cartridges
(No. 57 & 58), or keep switching to No. 56 (black) when regular paper
prints are being made? Switching is really pain in the ass as it
re-calibrates the cartridges everytime you make a switch. As I said,
most - if not all - of the prints will be in color, but not all will
be printed on photo paper.

Thanks in advance for your expert answers.

I've had an HP5550 for about two years and it uses the 56,57,58 carts.
I don't print all that many colour photos, but I bought the 58 cart
early on and printed with & without the colour cart. To be honest, I
fail to seen any difference when the 58 is inserted. I used it until
it was empty and have never replaced it, as I don't think the end
result is worth it.

 

[Bob Headrick]

I can find nothing in my documentation
(Deskjet5850) nor wot to do with the 'cartridge protector that came
with the 58 Photo cartridge.
I could find nothing on the HP website and have emailed HP support.

The cartridge protector is used to store the photo or black cartridge when the
other one is in the printer. Do not open the photo cartridge until you are
ready to install it in the printer in the place of the black cartridge. When
you take the #56 cartridge out of the printer put it in the protector. When
you later take the #58 cartridge out of the printer and replace the #56
cartridge in the printer put the #58 cartridge in the protector.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP