Canon i960 or Online Photo Processing?

[mson]

I am thinking about buying the i960, but I am not sure if it is worth it. What are the benefits of using an ink jet over a service like ofoto or Mpix? I do think it would be cool to have my own "photo processing center" The 8x10 size limit is not a big deal for me, I would rarely ever use it and if I do want that size I would probably want to use Mpix anyway. Can you buy 4x6 or 5x7 matte photo paper for the i960? I've checked a few places online but haven't seen it.

[GenEOS]

I just bought an i960 and I am kicking myself for waiting so long. It spits out very nice 4x6 and up to 8.5 X 11 bordeless prints very smoothly. I am using the Canon paper which everyone says works about the best of all the papers. I am very happy with it.
I will still send some prints out, but the convenience and the affordable price is reason enough to jump into one.

[eric1]

i bought one today. i hope it's easy to use, as i've not used a printer
before.


eric1

[Bruce Watson]

I currently have a Canon S9000 and a CP 300 printer. Why?

Although having 4X6 prints printed by outside shops IS cheaper, I cannot have them right then and there, when the picture has just been snapped.

The S9000 allows me to crop and use the resources of image editing to enhance and correct my shots for great enlargements for display.

Pro labs will do custom work for a price, but you are depending on their judgement.

Yes, there is the question of print longevity, but then again, I can always print more.

So, in conclusion, I use mixture of outside service for both really large and batches of 4X6, but prefer to mostly print my own at home.

YMMV,

Bruce

[mookiemeister]

I have the Canon i560 which is a cheaper cousin of Canon i960. Combined with Canon photo papers and my Canon G3, the printout is professional-like quality. Several people have commented on it already.

[Matixvolta]

What type of paper do ya forumers use?

I'm thinking of getting Canon i990. What's the best photo paper to print out photo-quality prints?

[Bruce Watson]

So far, I have stuck with Canon Pro paper and inks. Expensive, but results are stunning.

[mson]

I ended up buying the i960. From my limited testing the photo paper pro is the best. photo paper plus is also very good.

I have read others having good results from Epson glossy, but when I tried it I got a lot of pooling in the blacks. I tried it on photo paper pro and it came out perfect. I think I will stick with Canon paper.

[Matixvolta]

Anyone used glossy papers before? How are they like?

[touchup]

I am also curious in the Canon i960. What I am wondering is if there is any savings in print pictures at home vs. taking in the cf card and getting the lab to do them??? Do the ink cartriges cost a lot and do they last resonably long?? Do most people purchase the printer mainly for the convenience of printing right away and at home? Or is it something to do with the price?

Adam

[Matixvolta]

The reason why i'm buying photo printer is 'coz it's way cheaper than printing @ photlab. Costs me 80c per 6x4 standard print - which is a ripoff.

$28 per ink x 6 cartriages
= $168 / 1000 capable printing
= $0.168

Pretty cheap to me. Printing is A4 size!

(Note: All prices are under Aussie dollar)

[mson]

I am also curious in the Canon i960. What I am wondering is if there is any savings in print pictures at home vs. taking in the cf card and getting the lab to do them??? Do the ink cartriges cost a lot and do they last resonably long?? Do most people purchase the printer mainly for the convenience of printing right away and at home? Or is it something to do with the price?

Adam

It’s not really cheaper than going to a lab (depending on where you go) for 4x6 prints. You will start to see some savings at 8x10. The ink cartridges are about $12.00 at Best Buy, I’m sure you can get them cheaper elsewhere. One advantage that will save you some money is you can print the photo and adjust the settings so when you take it to a lab it will turn out exactly how you want. The print quality of the i960 is AMAZING, I am surprised at how good of a job it does, it looks just like a print from a lab. I took one of my pictures and ran water over it and there was no smearing. I even tried to rub some of the ink off with no smudging. The ability to print out a photo whenever you want it nice and gives you the ability to be more creative IMO.

[dfrost]

I calculated the approximate cost/4x6 print as USD $.40-$.45 after consuming the first set of photo-magenta and photo-cyan cartridges, using the i960 almost exclusively for photos. This compares to local stores that make prints for $.19 (Costco) to $.29 (local drugstores).

But it's worth it because:
a. I don't have to deal with Costco parking and checkout lines!
b. I can use the Canon cropping and image editing software.
c. Like most, I far prefer the flexibility to make the prints when I want to.
d. Adding print capability at home approaches the instant gratification from taking the picture digitally.

The estimated cost includes Canon Photo Plus Glossy (in 120 sheet packs)and Canon ink, but does not include the cost of the i960 printer itself.

[dfrost]

touchup asked about the cost and life of the cartridges. My photo-magenta and photo-cyan cartridges, the ones that are consumed fastest in i960 photo printing, lasted through about 200 4x6 prints with many portrait shots, so lots of skin-tones.

BTW, Staples sells Canon i960 ink for about $10.75 for two or more, and I lucked into a "three for the cost of two" Canon photo paper sale at Office Depot last December. Used that to buy all three 120-sheet packs of 4x6 Photo Plus Glossy paper they had, which is normally about $25/box.

[Volatile]

Costco has a 3-pack of Canon ink cartridges (BCI-6PC Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) for $28 (USD). They did not have a 3-pack for PC, PM, B like you might expect. Hopefully they will soon though. I've replaced all my ink cartridges at least once, and if there was a 6-pack available I'd buy it.

[The Wanderer]

Would anyone be willing if I sent them a picture I took w/ my G3 to print it off w/ your Canon printer so I can compare it to Shutterfly and send it back to me? I will pay for postage and the photo if you want me to. I am really thinking about getting the Canon i960 but I really want to see a picture I took printed off w/ it.

[mson]

Wanderer,

I'll do it. PM me with the details.

[The Wanderer]

Thanks! PM sent.

[always_learning]

I bought the i960 precisely because I got such inconsistent results from sending my JPG images to a photo processor. The 960 results are amazing if you stick to Canon ink and good paper. My favorite Canon substitute is Staples Professional High Gloss. I use the "Photo Paper Plus" setting and see no difference between printing the same photo on Canon and Staples paper.

Another point--I would not buy a "six pack" of inks, because I find myself replacing one ink color several times before replacing others. For example, I've replaced the photo magenta and photo cyan about three times per black.

[hickory]

I'll chime in here as well for the Canon i960. I love mine and the ability as was said earlier of being able to print as soon as I come in the door. I've been using Epson Photo Glossy and the "wows" I get from people when I show them the prints is a nice feeling :D

Stay with Canon ink if you buy the i960 and you won't go wrong. Others have warned about the use of off-brand ink and the risk of damaging the printer. I've yet to try Canon paper but I need paper so that will probably be my next purchase.

[mttmrphy]

I bought the i960 a couple of days ago (Best Buy - $199.99). I knew the prints were going to look nice but my jaw hit the floor after seeing how sharp the images were.

Maybe its cheaper / maybe its not. All I know is that I am glad I purchased it and I wish I would have done it sooner.

Not only am I addicted to taking pictures, I am now addicted to making prints as well.

[Matixvolta]

Does the 6 barrel printers print well for black & white images?

[always_learning]

I have a word of advice for new i960 users, something that would have saved me some ink if I had figured it out earlier. At some point you get an "ink low" message for one of the cartridges. What to do? Can I keep printing, or should I replace it now? I finally had the courage to keep printing and found that (a) I could print 10 or more 4x6 prints, and (b) there is another message saying "ink out", and that you need to replace the cartridge to avoid printer damage. So there's some useful life after the low warning.

[robertcjones]

I would recommend both. The 960 will handle just about everything. I would use ofoto for high volume or B&W's. So far I haven't got good B&W's from my 960.

I have taken the exact same shots and printed on both ofoto and the 960. There is a little color difference, but I could not say one is better than the other. The quality of both prints are pristine. 8x10's off the 960 come out superb. The 960 is a fine piece of technology.

[hickory]

Just an FYI for anyone looking at photo printers. I was in our local Staples yesterday and they have the Canon i960 on sale for $169. I love my i960 a lot!

tom

[Joe78733]

I read the posts on printing with the Canon printers. Ihave a G5 and a i9000 printer. I have used Canon paper but have switched to Red River Paper out of Dallas. I think they are at redriverpaper.com.
Their paper is excellent, and lower cost than Canon and they have profiles for their papers wit Canon printers. If you want to try some varities, you can get a sample pack for about $14.00. their high end papers are excellent and they do up to the 13x19 which I love. I always use Canon inks. Just trying to help everyone save a buck or two and still get as good results as you can from Canon paper.

[new girl on the bloc]

yes, the i960 is very impressive. i love the instant gratification that it gives, along with the spectacular photos.

I too like the red river paper, and have had good results with it, especially the 'art' papers. Very cool. but stick with the canon inks or you'll be disappointed.

I saw a 6-pack of the canon printer ink at Circuit City. it was 65 or 66 dollars.

[fsl009]

Red River paper are less expensive but better quality paper and produce better picture quality than Canon. They are located in Dallas Texas. 214-637-0029. or go to www.redriverpaper.com to check them out. Many pro users spoke highly of them. I just bought some las month and can see the different.

SL