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08/17/2003 12:34:10 PM · #1 |
I'm starting to look at printers now that I have a camera. I'm not in any hurry but would like to get some feedback on what to look for, where to research them, etc.
I would like a printer that has separate ink cartridges so I don't throw away ink. And I would prefer cost to be under $600.
Right now I just want to print some of my pictures to take to work with me or give to my sister-in-law for scrapbooking.
Don't mind paying a bit more for the printer if I can keep ongoing costs down in the long run (paper, ink, etc.)
Where should I start?
Message edited by author 2003-08-17 16:34:57. |
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08/17/2003 12:46:25 PM · #2 |
Im not a printer expert, but I just read a thread on the Epson 1280 on here. And I did a little research on it. its around your price range too. I have a HP Deskjet 5550, and It does me justice. I paid $125.00 for it. Whatever works for you.
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08/17/2003 01:09:12 PM · #3 |
Check out the printers section here, loads of info.
Everything you ever wanted to know.
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08/17/2003 01:33:00 PM · #4 |
Well so far all the choices are a bit overwhelming and I'm not even sure what to look for. :) This question probably gets asked all the time so if someone knows of a good thread that explains the basic things to look for that'd be a good start for me.
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08/17/2003 03:43:10 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by ttreit:
Well so far all the choices are a bit overwhelming and I'm not even sure what to look for. :) This question probably gets asked all the time so if someone knows of a good thread that explains the basic things to look for that'd be a good start for me. |
There are several things you should consider when making a printer choice...
How large do you need to be able to print?
If you need to print larger than 8x10, you need to look at the wide format printers. These printers start at about $400 new. If not, there are quite a few photo printers in the $150 price range that will work very well for you.
Are you concerned with the 'longevity' of the print?
If you want to display a print where light degradation could be a problem, you need to investigate the types of ink that the various printers use and how those inks interact with various types of paper. The Epson inks seem to work rather well in this arena.
Are you concerned with the speed of the printer?
Most photo printers are not incredibly fast, but some are faster than others. To me, speed doesn't make a huge difference because I'm never in a big hurry for a photo to print.
These are some basic questions that you should answer before you go shopping :)
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08/17/2003 03:48:00 PM · #6 |
I was looking for a store that would let me trial a print that I am familiar with, so that I can see the result. I would REALLY like something for up to 11x14, but the cost is a bit too much.
As far as quality, I really want something that will let me hang an 8x10, and nobody will be able to discern between what I printed, and say, the quality of one I ordered from DPC. Is that possible with a home printer? |
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08/17/2003 03:49:37 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by hortopth:
I was looking for a store that would let me trial a print that I am familiar with, so that I can see the result. I would REALLY like something for up to 11x14, but the cost is a bit too much.
As far as quality, I really want something that will let me hang an 8x10, and nobody will be able to discern between what I printed, and say, the quality of one I ordered from DPC. Is that possible with a home printer? |
I believe it is possible. When I put my digital prints in a frame behind glass, I can't tell any difference from an actual photograph. The key to making the print look good is in your post processing and camera technique, just like in film photography.
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08/17/2003 04:27:43 PM · #8 |
I use an epson stylus photo 780. It isn't fast, but it is hard to tell the difference between the pictures I print and ones from the store. The max size it can print is 8x10. It uses a single ink tank for the color inks, and is around $70.The epson 1280 uses a single ink tank for the color ink and one for the black ink. It will print 13x44 and go for around $399. The epson 2200 uses separate ink tanks. i think there is 7 of then including black. It also prints 13x44, and is around $700. With epson paper, epson clames 90 years lightfastness when the pictures are mounted in a frame.
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08/17/2003 07:54:09 PM · #9 |
I use an Epson Photo Sylus 785EPX that prints 8x10's beautifully. You can't tell it's not a photgraph printed professionally. You can find out more at
Epson 785EPX Specs.
I got mine for $139.00, it was on sale for $10 off at Circuit City about 9 months ago. The ink pricing is reasonable too. The Epson guy was there and was printing beautiful borderless 4x6 prints and that convinced me. I'm real happy with it.
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08/17/2003 08:05:37 PM · #10 |
Thanks John that helped quite a bit. :)
I'm thinking for now 8x10's are good enough and speed isn't a factor. Later this might change but I'm pretty much intersted in a solid printer that will do a nice job relatively inexpensively.
I see reference to different ink alternatives. Can someone fill me in on what I need to think about regarding ink? How to keep the cost down and use ink efficiently? What do all you guys who print do for ink? Any printers in the $300 or less range that have separate ink tanks?
Do you love your printer? Hate it? Why? |
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08/17/2003 08:24:54 PM · #11 |
Nothing compares to the Epson 2200 for the money (600 - 650). It prints up to 13 x 44 inches. The printer use 3 different blacks, plus light versions of magenta and cyan. At anyone time it prints with 7 colors. Dpi is 2880. It can feed thick paper straight through the back. It comes with an attachment to print with paper rolls and cuts the paper with it's own cutter.
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08/17/2003 08:29:38 PM · #12 |
I rarely print pictures, but when I have to (e.g. for the National Geographic contest), and I need several test prints, I use the Epson Stylus 870. I've made 4x6's and 8x9's. The quality is indistinguishable from professional prints.
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08/17/2003 11:37:46 PM · #13 |
I would recommend checking out the Canon i950. For around $250, it's definitely a nice printer. It's surprising they offer it at that price, seeing how much Epson charges for their equivalent (Photo 960~$350). For ink I'll be using MIS's Ultratone inkset. It's a 6 color grayscale inkset with 2 blue toner inks. Depending how elaborate you want to get, you can go from just purchasing new cartridges everytime to setting up a constant ink system or buy ink in bulk and refill your own carts. MIS's website will have a lot of info about different setups, not all of it is specifically for their products either, so it'll give you an idea of what you would want to do.
Edit: Hmm, thought I included the url, inksupply
Message edited by author 2003-08-18 03:57:16. |
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08/18/2003 03:03:22 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by matt betea:
I would recommend checking out the Canon i950. ..... For ink I'll be using MIS's Ultratone inkset. It's a 6 color grayscale inkset with 2 blue toner inks.
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I am looking for inks to print B & W on the i950. Are the inks you mention for that printer? I must be blind I can't find them listed for Canon on the MIS website. |
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08/18/2003 03:11:43 AM · #15 |
If you buy an Epson printer, always use Epson inks and Epson paper. I get the best results from Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper.
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08/18/2003 05:14:48 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by goodtempo:
If you buy an Epson printer, always use Epson inks and Epson paper. I get the best results from Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper. |
Same here. My best print outs are from Epson premium glossies with the Stylus.
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08/18/2003 06:03:23 AM · #17 |
| Im pondering whether to just get a cheap B/W printer for home, and do any prints using the assorted print services that DPCPrints and others provide. I worked out the cost of ink/paper on my (rather nasty) Lexmark, and it doesnt come out that much less than if I outsourced my glossy printing. I did a test run on some 3x4s at a local shop, and the results were much better than my printer. |
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08/18/2003 06:10:42 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by UberFish:
Im pondering whether to just get a cheap B/W printer for home, and do any prints using the assorted print services that DPCPrints and others provide. I worked out the cost of ink/paper on my (rather nasty) Lexmark, and it doesnt come out that much less than if I outsourced my glossy printing. I did a test run on some 3x4s at a local shop, and the results were much better than my printer. |
What you're suggesting makes sense if you are making a lot of glossy prints. However, for one or two or three 8x10's, printing it yourself will still come out cheaper (in my case, I save about 80% of the cost of outsourced printing).
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08/18/2003 09:24:38 AM · #19 |
Colette,
I don't believe MIS offers grayscale cartridges for Canon printers yet I've read at places that they are in the works however. You could buy the ink in bulk and refill the Canon cartridges. Give them a call if you're interested, they're very helpful and knowledgeable. There is also Lyson that makes grayscale inksets. And they do have cartridges for Canon printers. Here's their site. But be warned, Lyson inks have a reputation of clogging. Not to say they always do, but more than any other 3rd party ink maker. |
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08/18/2003 09:33:22 AM · #20 |
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08/18/2003 10:37:45 PM · #21 |
How much per print is an 8x10 from an inkjet (for comparison sake, lets use the Canon i950 and the Epson 2200 as examples), vs. the photolab (Wal-Mart prints 8x10s for under $3 I think, but I prefer EZPrints, I think they are similarly priced at $3 a print)
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08/18/2003 10:56:08 PM · #22 |
| I forgot to mention that I almost always want to print B&W. There is some mention of that in this thread. Any other reccomendations? |
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08/18/2003 11:54:33 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by bdshort:
How much per print is an 8x10 from an inkjet (for comparison sake, lets use the Canon i950 and the Epson 2200 as examples), vs. the photolab (Wal-Mart prints 8x10s for under $3 I think, but I prefer EZPrints, I think they are similarly priced at $3 a print) |
Hi Brian,
I don't know about US prices, but here in HK, for the Epson 870, the black cartridge goes for around HK$95 and the color for HK$150. The premium glossy (Epson brand) costs HK$2 each. Assuming that the ink combo can print a maximum of 100 8x10's, the cost of ink per print is around HK$2.50. Thus, the total should be around HK$4.50 per print. Having it done by a print shop costs at an average of HK$15 per 8x10 (but they offer specials for multiple prints). Thus, I save HK$11.50 per print. For small-scale print jobs, it's still cheaper to print at home. (PS: exchange rate is HK$7.79 = US$1)
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08/20/2003 07:41:08 AM · #24 |
Canon i950 writeup.
//www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Canon%20i950/page_1.htm
Here's the startup link for this website (it eliminates frame errors if you navigate from the top).
//www.photo-i.co.uk/
Message edited by author 2003-08-20 12:03:57.
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