Skip to main content

Can I Print from My Digital Camera to My Color Copier with PictBridge?

Two recent appointments with clients actually tested my knowledge of one of the obscure features of our multi-functional copiers.  On one appointment with a tech saving client, he wanted me to tell him about every option that was listed for the Ricoh MP 3003SP.  It was the old Feature, Advantage and Benefit for each of those options that were listed, until I arrived at the PictBridge option for the Ricoh.

It was my understanding that with the PictBridge option installed that would allow you to put take the SD card from the digital camera, insert into the copier and thus you would be able to print the pictures.  However, the camera has t be PictBridge compatible.  With that, I asked what kind of digital camera he owned, my client stated the camera was and Canon Rebel.  He then stated he had the camera in his car, and dashed out of the office to retrieve the camera. 

When he arrived back, he gave me the camera bag and stated, "theirs an owners manual in the bag, see what you can figure out."  Thus, I retrieved the manual, navigated to the index and saw a reference for PictBridge.  After reading the page I was surprised that you could actually plug the camera into the MFP (using a USB cable) and then from the camera's LCD display you could pick what pictures to print and send them to the MFP aka copier. Well, that's pretty cool, and the client ordered the PictBridge option.

It was not until the next appointment did I realize another benefit to a certain vertical market for the PictBridge option. 

While at another appointment with an existing Police Department, the Chief and I went over the features of a new color MFP.  When I explained the PictBridge feature, he stated, "are you telling me that I can plug my camera into the copier and print the pictures?", I stated "yup". The Chief then proceeded to tell me that the department has digital cameras and they use them for parking violations.  They take a picture of the parking violation,  then print the picture and then bring the pictures to court if needed.  "A picture paints a thousand words." in the courtroom he stated. 

Thus the advantage of having the Pictbridge option installed was that anyone could connect the camera to the color copier and print the pictures as needed, instead of removing the SD card from the camera, loading the pictures on the PC and then printing those pictures.  It's much easier to lose the SD card than the camera.

So, there you have it, an inexpensive option that saves countless hours of labor in the right vertical market and helped to close a few additional copier orders!

-=Good Selling=-

 

 

If you like something I've posted please feel free to click the "like" button!

Add Comment

Comments (8)

Newest · Oldest · Popular

I agree with both sides of it. Yes we can all use our phones and yes I find all the mobile print apps from the brands we carry to be a pain to use. I find that I even have to go back and remember how to use them correctly from time to time. I have not used a single free one yet that I like. I do, however, like Ricohs ICE mobile printing application even though it is a pay service. 

ratbstrd posted:

How is this better than mobile printing, where you can print directly from a phone by installing a no cost app

ratbstrd

Different strokes for different folks.  In the case of the police department, procedure calls for them to use the digital camera and not a smart phone. 

Here's my take on mobile printing, at least with Ricoh, it's a pain in my arse to use.  The camera direct card that installs on the copier is the easiest solution, since it will only the digital camera to connect and print.  No one has to download apps on their phones and then I don't have to get phone calls from users that can't remember how to use the app or they are having an issue with it. That would even be a bigger pain the arse with 30 or so police officers having to download an  use the mobile app.

I for one do not own nor have I ever I owned a digital camera, but I have owned a smart phone with camera for many years. Practically everyone has a smart phone with camera, so by utilizing a free app on the phone, mobile printing is more flexible than a Pictbridge. Even if PictBridge is free, it seems like its the method that is more limiting, not mobile printing.   What am I missing here?

The most obvious to me is that I can't mobile print from my digital camera. I think it's also something no one talks about as much and while it is an older option it may still win deals for those people who have never heard of it. I'm working with a car dealer right now who thinks it's the greatest thing ever. Probably thinks that because everyone else comes in and gives her the same BS lines like "would you be interested in buying a copier? It's great! It's got print and scan and fax and 2 paper trays on it" etc.

Jason- Good memory! We used to discuss a MC dealer in Fl who did exactly what you describe.

But- I'm not sure you need the PictBridge option anymore, as the Ricoh device accepts an SD (camera memory) card directly.  So, it's a built-in feature!

Great feature that people rarely talk about. I have used it also for auto dealers. I explain to them that when someone comes in and looks at a vehicle and says they will think it over and come back that they should snap a photo of the customer sitting in or standing next to the vehicle and go to the device and print it out on the spot sending it home with the customer. The customer takes the photo home and will continue to look at it and hopefully get attached to the vehicle and decide to come back and purchase it. I remember Ricoh or a ricoh delaer had a short case study a long time ago about a motorcycle dealership doing this and their sales went way up because of them sending that picture home with customers. Customers were coming back and saying they had to have the bike after looking at it for so long.

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×