Time for a printer

[timmyquest]

I've been waiting to buy a printer until the 9600 is out, and now that it is..much like i expected the 9100 is too. I'd like to have the option to print larger then 8x10's on the other hand...how often is a photo worthy of that.

So it's either

$500-9900, new..more color tanks, twice as many nozzles
$300-9100, old cheaper
$200-960, new..8x10 max...cheapest

Just wondering if any of you can offer some more insight. I'm leaning towards the 960 as if i need anything larger then 8x10 i can just pay someone to do it. But the other two, especially the 9600...are jus so darn tempting.

[John_T]

Well Timmy, I've had my i9100 for a year now and unusual for me I'm not hankering for something else, so it must be pretty good. On the other hand, if I wasn't satisfied with whatever I had, I'd go straight for the latest and greatest and a little satisfaction for a while 'til the next latest and greatest comes out. I'd say the i9100 is somewhere in mid-life, so in your shoes I'd go for the i9900. I don't try to save on printers, monitors, loudspeakers or other things that put out the end result.

As for 8x10 and larger, you don't really know how often you will go that big until you've got the printer there that will do it at your whim and desire. Certainly 4x6 up to 8x10 is more everyday, but sometimes, more often than you might think, there's nothing like a BIG one to give or sell to somebody or just to check out something for yourself.

[iwatkins]

Timmy,

I have the i9100 and if it is any help I print maybe 40 shots a month. Of those maybe only 5 will be larger than A4. I.e. for 5 shots a month I need something bigger than the i960 etc.

Cheers

Ian

[dn7elson]

I'm leaning towards the 960 as if i need anything larger then 8x10 i can just pay someone to do it.

I have the S9000, that is a couple of generations before the 9900 and don't have any regrets about getting it. I have printed several 13x19 prints for framing and display, but you are right in saying that most images just don't warrant the size. Mostly I print images at 8 1/2 x 11.

In my case, I also wanted a larger format printer for 11x17 AutoCAD and CPM schedule prints. I have used this extensively with good results as well, so for me this is what moved me from the less expensive S900 with its letter sized paper limit to the S9000. The premium for the larger format on a comparable model basis is generally about $100.

For reference, the street price for the i9900 is about $430 at this time. I would assume that there will soon be an i990 to be the letter sized compliment to the i9900 and I would also assume that it would be at a list price of about $100 less...no inside information, just observation of their marketing pattern.

[scottbergerphoto]

Have you considered the Epson 2200?
I've been using it for about a year. I really like it. It comes with free ICC profiles for Epson paper and inks.
Scott

[Gerdav43]

I don't know much about the 9000 series printers that you got but I just purchased the i960 this week and out of the box the prints are fantastic. I haven't even really played with the settings yet and I am thrilled with the quality. Don't see much use for larger than 8.5x11 but if I needed it I would be more inclined to have it done at my local photog. store. Keep in the mind the cost of the paper stock for those bigger sizes just to keep it around if you need it. There is also a $30 rebate from Canon through July on the i960 which makes it a paltry $170. That's alot of other equipment you can buy with the money you saved. :P

[MrEWorm]

I love my i960. It puts out great prints. I use it for general printing as well as photo printing. I have nothing bad to say about it at all.

[Sonex305]

Another vote here for the i960! :mrgreen:

Craig

[jimtfoto]

Add my vote to scottbergerphoto for the Epson 2200 ... spectacular prints up to 13 x 19 sheet fed ...
jim