PIXMA iP4500 vs. PIXMA iP6700D

[rgs]

I have a Canon i860 that I have liked very much. It prints photos better than the local kiosk and doubles as an office printer quite well. But it is beginning to die and needs to be replaced.

For some time I have planned to get the PIXMA iP6700D. But the i860 had a separate pigment black ink for text which made it a very useful printer (I only have one). The lack of this pigment black has been my only reservation with the 6700D

Now I see that there is a new model, the iP4500 that uses the same ink as the 6700D (but only CMYK) and includes a similar pigment black cart for text.

Comparing the two, the difference seems to be the number of color carts, the addition of the pigment black, and the lack of a pop up display.

Has anyone had any experience printing photographs with either of these two? Should I expect good photo printing from the 4500.

Although I still have prints that I sell made by a wet lab, I like the canon printers very much and prefer my own prints from them. I have had some bad experience with color pigment printers and don't need a full time photo pinter.

Thanks for any comments.

RGS
www.myrsphoto.com (http://www.myrsphoto.com)

[gherrry]

i just ordered my 6700 today off of buy.com. only costed me 98.00 but add delivery of 16.00 and it's alil bit over 100 bucks. Can't wait to get it.

[rgs]

I think I was a little hasty. It looks like the 4500 has just been announced but is not yet available. I have only been able to find press releases but no reviews and nothing in stock. Canon announced it on August 20th.

The 6700 must be up for replacement. It is out of stock everywhere and Canon is selling it on their website for $119.00 with free shipping.

I think I have decided to wait for the 4500. I liked the setup in the i860 (3 color inks and two blacks, one pigment for text printing) and I think the addition of the newer ink will just be like a vastly improved i860. Plus it has auto duplexing and two paper trays and is lighting fast which will be good when I need to print and sell on location at a reunion.

If I wanted to buy a dedicated photo only printer, the 6700 would be very attractive for the price. However, I've decided my laptop is a better solution on location than the 6700's little pop up screen and not much more work. That makes editing possible and a larger display for the customer.

Then, again, whatever Canon brings out to replace the 6700 might make me re-evaluate :)

RGS
www.myrsphoto.com

[b00ty]

i have the 4300D, great printer w/ the black cartridge for text as well. Excellent printer.

[rgs]

From what I can tell from the press releases, the only difference between the 4300 and the 4500 is the speed. The specs say it's about twice as fast as the 4300.

How do the photos compare with lab prints? With prints from dedicated photo printers?
Do you think photo printing would be clearly improved with the addition of the two extra color carts the 6700 has?

I really want an office printer that rivals dedicated photo printers. My i860 was very close but technology has improved since I bought it and it's beginning to show some wear.

RGS
www.myrsphoto.com

[b00ty]

Once I got quality paper and my color setup correctly I cannot tell the different from lab quality prints. I'm not too sure how much of a difference the extra 2 cartridges will make for ya but I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality coming from my 4300. Also it is VERY speedy at printing text.