Once again, Konica has taken in-store photo developing to new levels with the announcement of its new
QD-21 full digital minilab, unveiled today at Photo Marketing Association conference. This on-site
processing system gives one-stop shopping a new "image," by providing retail outlets with a compact,
all-in-one, processing lab that's quick, easy-to-use and cost-efficient while offering consumers a variety
of photo processing options. The Konica QD-21 Minilab offers high speed and high capacity at a price
less than half that of competitive full digital minilabs and uses conventional photographic paper even with its digital capabilities.
What Are the Main Features of the QD-21 Minilab?
The QD-21 Minilab boasts a variety of unique state-of-the-art features capitalizing on its size, speed and
digital capabilities. Konica's new minilab is the first system to provide processing service in less than 15
minutes. The QD-21 showcases full digital, high quality, and high speed output with an exposure unit
resolution of 300 dpi (12 bit) at a 30mm/second speed (approximately 0.8 seconds per frame). An ultra
high-speed film scanner works on 110~35mm and Advanced Photo System film. The printing speed per
hour is approximately 1800 prints for continuous printing of a single photo or 1200 prints per hour of a conventional roll at 4" x 6."
The Film Processor (QP-32) and Paper Processor (QD-21) use Konica's unique ECOJET processing system (Konica Hyper Quick Access) to enable exceptionally fast processing of a complete order (24
exposures) in about eight minutes onto conventional silver-halide photographic paper (QP-32 negative development time is 4 minutes 22 seconds and QD-21 paper development time is 1 minute 14
seconds). It also features a double print station which allows the user to make different size prints simultaneously.
The QD-21 is also the first minilab system equipped with an all-in-one printer, providing high quality and
high speed printing from every digital image data and from color negatives, color reversal, prints, slides,
digital camera (PC card), FD, Zip and CD-ROM. The minilab also includes Konica's Hyper Color Management system providing excellent color manipulation via automatic under- and over-exposure
correction, automatic color enhancement, beautiful skin tone management, and even sepia and black and white tones.
Who Can Benefit From the Konica QD-21 Minilab?
Both retailers and consumers will benefit from the ease and versatility of the QD-21 Minilab. Its compact
size (only 1.65 m or approximately 17 sq. ft. including the film processor) and easy and simple touch-screen operation make it an ideal system for supermarkets, drugstores, discount stores, card
stores, computer stores and virtually any outlet that strives to offer consumers a wide variety of photo
processing options. The QD-21 uses Konica's trademark ECOJET system which consists of a single cartridge for film processing and a single cartridge for paper processing chemicals, making it more
convenient for operators to handle. The new cartridge facilitates inventory management and lessens the frequency of which the cartridge needs to be exchanged.
QD-21 Stands For Quality Developing
Its film processor supports 35mm size amateur film processing without short leader transport, 110 size
and Advanced Photo System IX240 size processing with short leader transport. The system supports printing at 12-inch width. Print sizes range from 3.5 X 5 inches up to 12 X 18 inches.
As print media, the system supports 35mm size, IX240 size and 110 size negative film and also reversal
film via the film scanner. Print to print service is available using Flatbed scanner input. In addition to
normal print sizes, a unique digital camera print service (Konica D-print) is supported. It also supports a
variety of new format print sizes, enabling A-4 letter size album (Q File Print) services. The Q File Print
menu will include various layout services such as name card-size 10-frame and 3.5 x 5 inch 4-frame album prints, and also a standard Layout Print service.
The system offers consumers a range of print formats to choose from. Consumers who are interested in
more than just prints, can now benefit from the QD-21 Minilab which lets them create postcards, flyers,
calendars, art frames, business cards, etc. Consumers can customize their print layouts with new format prints including: Album; Layout; Postcard; Calendar.
The system is easy to operate and requires no advanced training. Ease of use features include the
QDP-1's color monitor, with a touch panel for interactive operation, and the no-leader transport system in 35mm film processor. |
Konica film and paper is based on dependable technology developed over many decades of contributions to the history of photography.
Whether it is for everyday use or to meet the demands of exacting professionals, there is a Konica product for every professional need. Konica delivers high-quality products designed for
people who care about providing a difference in quality. 
