Hi Kim, et al --
I have had other Epson portable printers, PictureMate, etc. and have never been happy with the speed or ease of use. One size, slow, inkjet, inconsistent -- The Sony, while certainly more of an investment, is easy to use and has lots of variable packages, sizes and the speed for high volume events is amazing. I can print key chains for kids at a kids party and turn around and print 4x6 prints for the adults -- Figure also that if you are printing 250 photographs at an event. The Epson at 35 seconds (using your #'s) would take almost 2.5 hours to run those prints. vs. The Sony at 16 secs per print would take about 1 hour. If I can cut my printing time to my client who is standing over me waiting in half - then it's worth it -- and the per print cost of .25 for a 4x6 is wonderful --
Here is another way to look at it -- If you figure that you charge $10 per 4x6 to your client then you will more then pay for the Sony in one job. $10 x 250= $2500.
That's how I justified it to myself. I paid for the printer and the paper in 2 jobs - now I am making pure profit everytime I take it out of the box.
Best thing I can say is to contact Bob at
http://www.upcr10l.com/ and ask him questions -- he really knows his stuff -- please tell him I sent you -- helps my relationship with him too -- Happy Shooting
Joe