canon i9100 printer

[mapdealer]

I am seriously looking at the i9100 printer. I do sports and wildlife photography (currently on a D30 and hopefully soon on a 10D) and the prints would be for my collection and maybe to sell to high school athlete parents. The specs look good and I like the large 13x19 format. Any comments or advice?

[John_T]

I have it.

...and wouldn't have anything else!

Buy good paper.

[mapdealer]

Stupid newbie question. What is 'good paper' and what is not? Is archival quality possible? Thanks!!!

[Hersh]

mapdealer wrote:
Stupid newbie question. What is 'good paper' and what is not? Is archival quality possible? Thanks!!!

I've got a S9000, which is slightly different with resolution and prints out a border on 13x19 sizes, unlike the 9100.

Photo quality is great, and everyone I've printed pics for thinks I had them developed professionally.

In terms of "good" paper, Canon paper usually does best with Canon printers, same with Epson paper on Epson printers, from what I've read. I remember some paper recommendations in the 9100 review at Steve's Digicams: www.steves-digicams.com, if you want to check there.

Pics on Canon paper are supposed to last for up to 25 years, depending on how they're treated. Not sure about any other brand paper off a Canon printer.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have the i950,. same tech,. just smaller.

The prints are MIND BLOWING! Really top notch.

I have good results with Canon paper obviously,. but also Epson. I hear Kodak Ultima is o-kay too.

[John_T]

Ilford papers are excellent, especially the Fine Art papers. I'm just trying out some Tetenal papers, including archival, and so far are also excellent.

Canon is outstanding too, though I use more Ilford.

Just remember that different printers use different ink formulas. For example, HP paper does not work at all well with Canon printers. I've read somewhere that the Kodak papers have some sticky issue. Haven't tried Epson.

[shanethemill]

Stupid newbie question? He's trying to help at least!



mapdealer wrote:
Stupid newbie question. What is 'good paper' and what is not? Is archival quality possible? Thanks!!!

[mapdealer]

No, No, No! I was the one ASKING the 'stupid newbie question'. Everybody has been very helpful. Not trying to be a smart a$$.

[Dale53]

I have an s9000 Canon printer and have printed a BUNCH. If I were replacing it today (have NO intentions of doing so) I would replace it with a i9100 Canon without hesitation (the i9100 is supposed to be similar just slightly better than the s9000). I have had NO fading problems and mostly print 8.5x11.0 but have had really good luck with 13x19's for the wall, also. I have also been pleased with B&W prints from the s9000.

I use mostly Canon Photo Paper Pro but got in on the "deal" at Office Depot for their "Premium High Gloss Photo Paper" and bought several hundred sheets. This works well (about 90-95% as well as Canon Photo Paper Pro).

I nearly forgot to mention the truly great printing speed of the s9000/i9100 series of printers. I get 4x6's in about 37 seconds and 8.5x11's in a minute 20 seconds. That is smokin'!! You really appreciate that when you have a large order.

Dale53

[CyberDyneSystems]

mapdealer wrote:
No, No, No! I was the one ASKING the 'stupid newbie question'. Everybody has been very helpful. Not trying to be a smart a$$.


lol :D :D :D

Man that one's got me rolling at work!

Don't worry about it! Many times people will type before they think! hahaha

[John_T]

Yeah, I've been at this for years and always feel like a newbie. The day I think I know it all is the day I'd better do something else before somebody shoots me...

[gooza]

I have a S9000. This is my favorite paper by far...about $35 for 50 sheets.
Canon photo pro is too expensive and I don't like the glossy look. Also, Epson's matte paper works great on the S9000.
Paul

[Hersh]

gooza wrote:
Also, Epson's matte paper works great on the S9000.
Paul

I've been curious about that.

How well do the colors come out and did you have to tweak your S9000 settings much?

[contact]

I have the S9000 and great results from Epson's matte paper. The printer is great also.

[omegaman]

I have the i9100 and love it. It is very fast.
Nothing found to complain about yet. I did
nte that, while mostly printing B&W, I first ran out
of photomagenta ink.

[Miles]

I do wonder whether these printers are really worth buying when you consider the cost of professional printing online these days.

I recently bought an i950 and have used it with photo paper pro and gloosy photo paper with excellent results. I reckon it costs me about 20 UK pence minimum to print a 7x5 picture out in ink & paper costs.

Using www.klick.co.uk it costs about the same. Apparently www.photobox.co.uk offers better quality at a slightly increased price, but these prices are still very reasonable when considering the initial cost of the printer.

Miles

[mapdealer]

OK, fine. I have ordered the i9000 printer!!

Thank you to:

John-T (Chance??)
Hersh
Cyberdyne
shanethemill - NOT (lol)
dale53
gooza
omegaman
miles

You are all great people and a great forum. I have learned a lot about this and other things. One more stupid newbie question from ME and I won't ask anymore stupid newbie questions from ME (on this post) and we can put this thread to bed:

What is the quality of non-Canon brands inks to Canon brand inks for this printer?

Thanks again people!!!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Who you callin' a stupid newbie?!!!!!!


:D KIDDING

Ihave not tried the non Canon inks yet,. but I have some in the mail...:)

Thing is I just read in another thread that the i950 and i9100 are the worst printers to try second party inks in. It turns out that the tiny 2 picolitre droplet size is too small for most non Canon ink formulations... the inks just aren't "fine" enough. What I may end up ding with the Non Canon ink I have ordered is to cause repetitive clogs and maybe even ruin the print heads :(

With the Canon Inks I have so far not had a single colg or smear or anything. Just a lot of perfect prints.

[SoCal69]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:

Ihave not tried the non Canon inks yet,. but I have some in the mail...:)

Thing is I just read in another thread that the i950 and i9100 are the worst printers to try second party inks in. It turns out that the tiny 2 picolitre droplet size is too small for most non Canon ink formulations... the inks just aren't "fine" enough. What I may end up ding with the Non Canon ink I have ordered is to cause repetitive clogs and maybe even ruin the print heads :(

With the Canon Inks I have so far not had a single colg or smear or anything. Just a lot of perfect prints.

I have just started using IMS refill inks which are available from Costco. The kit comes with Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Black (plus an extra Black), Photo Cyan and Photo Magenta. I have a Canon s750 with the four ink tanks. The refill kit will fill each cartridge about 10 or so times (I'm guessing as I haven't gone through all the ink yet). I haven't noticed any difference in the final prints (granted, I am not a professional -- strictly amateur), although they may not last as long in the long run. However, for everyday 4x6 prints and prints for family and friends, its perfect. Total cost for the kit is under $17.00, which makes the ink EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE. I can't comment however on the higher end canon printers like the i950 or i9100.

[flw88]

the printer is fantastic. I have bought one and printer out 100 of pics and is beautiful, is worth the money

[mapdealer]

I got the i9100 printer today and am LOVING IT. I pre-ordered 3 different papers: Canon gloss, el-cheapo gloss, and Epson Premium Luster, using Canon ink. Best overall results so far is the Canon paper. Worst results was el-cheapo (big surprise).

What I found interesting was that the color on the Epson Premium Luster paper seemed the most vibrant. I would have rated this paper tops EXCEPT that there are faint, fine verticle lines for each time the print head went back and forth on the paper. Up close it is not real noticeable (except to a photographers eye) and at a distance, not at all. But it didn't happen at all on the Canon paper.

[ldivinag]

i have the i850 and holy cow!!!!!! i used an ho color laser at work and on plain paper (i know....) full res pixs are so-so...

then i found a local fry's had refurb i850 for $99 so i picked one up.

grab a box of canon's pro full glossy and first pix was from a 3-4 MP picture and was BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!!!!

for sure, use the top of the line paper for those paying gigs.

there's a paper that is a step down.

now i gotta get one of those bulk ink autoloading systems for this printer... lol...
linky for autoloader (http://www.inkproducts.com/auto_refill_information.htm)

[John_T]

Yes Mapdealer, paper plays a big role, and I wouldn't even think about using non-Canon inks. To each his own.

Try Ilford papers. I have had very good results with them. I just printed some child protraits on the Ilford Smooth Fine Art Paper, which is actually lightly textured. They are so beautiful I can hardly believe it.

Whatever paper you use, follow the paper manufacturer's printer setting recommendations.