Need a printer, looking at options. i1900 or i9900 or epson?

[IIIMik3]

Ok, so a few months ago, i was pretty set on picking up an i9100. I never actually got around to it, because i couldn't afford it, and didn't really NEED it. But well, now i need it. So, i was looking online to find prices for it, and stumbled upon the i9900. So now, i'm wondering which is a better choice for my situation. Of course, i like the i9100 pricewise, but the i9900 being "new and improved" is always appealing. So, given my situation (a photography student who shoots in both film and digital with a 10D, and also just wants to print stuff for himself) Which would you suggest? Are there reasons that i should choose one over the other? Also, i'm a bit concerned with how archival the prints will be. I hear epson, with their pigments, is supposedly the choice when it comes to that, and if that's the case, what model epson should i look at, that runs in the same class as the i9100 and i9900's.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[CyberDyneSystems]

I've got a 9100 and love it.. I think the Canon's are far more reliable than the consumer Epsons..

The 9900 is the "new" version of the 9100.. it adds the extra ink colors. The intro of the 9900 caused the 9100 to go from $500.00 down to $300.00 or less... that model is the bargain.. as that is the lowest priced large format printer ever..

[PacAce]

For me it was a toss up between the Epson R800 and the Canon i9900. What I found desirable with the R800 is the fact that it uses pigment based ink as opposed to the dye based ink used in the Canon. Pigment-based ink you want to use if you want if you want archival qualities although its colors are not as bright as the dye-based inks. But I finally decided to go with the i9900 because 1) I wanted the ability to make 13x19 size print and 2) I figured the supposed 25 years of the newer dye-based inks was good enough for me (vs the 100 years of the pigment based inks).

The ability to use roll paper and print on laserjet printable CDs and DVD is also a nice feature of the R800 but my need for a 13x19 still wins out. To go with a 13x19 on the Epsons would cost me another $300 over the price of the R800. :shock:

I should be getting my i9900 either tomorrow or the day after. I'll let you know how it works out although, based on other reviews I've read of it, I'm not expecting it to be anything but spectacular! :)

[HKMonkey]

I have an Epson 890, and have had no complaints. With the Photo Dye inks and the Colorlife photo paper, you will get 27 years of light resistance, according to their tests. I would suggest checking out their online store. I see they have a 960 for $200 and a 1280 for $325. Free shipping on both. The 1280 has the ability to print 13 x 44 panoramas. Find them in the "Clearance Center" section of their website. They are both refurbished, but in my opinion, that is better, because they inspect those better than the ones that are sold brand new. My 890 was refurbished and I have had no problems at all with it. Anyway, just another option to check out. :)

[robertwgross]

I'm still using my ancient Epson 1270, and it works fine. No clogging or anything like that. It prints to 13 inches wide, though, so you better have a good sized shelf or table to plant it on.

If it blew up today, I would likely go by a new Epson with similar characteristics.

---Bob Gross---

[Meerkat17]

I've just bought the i9100 after asking for advice on this forum and I'm so pleased I took the advice I was given.

I'm so impressed with the results I've had so far and the largest I've printed is a 8x10 I've just bought some A3+ paper and I'll giving that a go in the next few days.

Cheers
David

[scottbergerphoto]

I use an Epson 2200. It is very reliable and the output is stunning. I print 20-30 8x10's per week and sell about 1/2 of them. The Epson provided ICC profiles are an added bonus. The only drawback is that 8x10's at 1440 take about 3.5mins per print. There is a review of the 2200 at www.luminous-landscape.com .
Scott

[John_T]

I've had the i9100 almost a year now and am very happy with it, fast and reliable, quality impecable. If I was in the market for a printer right now, I'd go straight for the i9900 as the prints are improved, though you have to take a close look to see the difference.

[IIIMik3]

thanks for the help guys, with your words, and the words of others, i have decided to go with the i9900. Got a pretty good deal on it. $421 shipped. If i hadn't found this deal, i probably would have just gone with the i9100. Thanks again though guys.

Mike