whats a good photo printer????

[elfyrulz]

??? Im planning on getting one soon and im not sure which brand I should get eather CANON, EPSON, Lexmark or HP.

or should i get a Dye Sublimation Printer?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=311990&is=REG

[jimtfoto]

My vote goes to the Epson 2200
cheers,
jim

[Ken Fong]

I have an Epson 2200...it's great; however, if you do not need to print anything larger than 8x10, I would look into the new Epson R800. But it all depends on your criteria...the best thing is to go to the local photography store for demos...computer stores have demos also, but their demos are not as great (they sell from a different perspective.) If you are into near-professional level printing, you will most likely end up with an Epson or Canon. If you just want economical printing 'for the masses', Lexmark or HP might work for you.

From my understanding, dye-sublimation has a nice finished look vs. the ultrachrome pigments; however, the pigment inkjets tend to have better dynamic range and resolution. Ultrachrome pigments also are supposed to last a long time without fading. The Epson R800 supposedly has the best of both (print finish and print quality) by adding an 8th cartridge which adds a clear finish on top of the print...retails for about $400...I wouldn't mind using this for my main printer and then reserve larger print jobs for the local print lab service. When I first bought the 2200 2 years ago, I had dreams of printing 11x17s and large panographics. Since then, I have printed mostly 5x7s and an occasional 8x10. The lesson is, plan your purchase according to realistic expectations.

[drandy1]

Having been a devoted EPSON user for the past few years, I recently purchased the new Canon i9900. All I can say is that I just want to keep printing, printing and printing as I watch vivid color photographs roll out time after time. This printer is FAST, color accurate and consistent. Blown away by the quality and speed. Typical EPSON print speed (8 x 10) was 7-8 minutes, now it is 1-1.5 minutes!

Cost is $420-450. Another option would be cheaper i960 (~$180). Check out the i9900 before you buy a printer.

Best Regards,

[Belmondo]

I just recently purchased the i9900 too. I was intrigued by the 13" X 19" capablilities. I haven't unpacked it yet, but hope to do some printing just as soon as I get back home in a couple days. In the meantime, I'm rummaging around the Bay Area looking for 13 X 19 paper.

One of my reasons for selecting the i9900 is the very good service I've gotten from the i950. In fact, the i9900 uses the same ink cartridges as the i950 & i960 plus two additionals colors---red and green. I have several unused cartridges that will fit the new printer, so there was a bit of economy in that department as well.

The archival (pigmented) inks of the Epson 2200 are not an issue in my mind. If a print fades over a few years time, I'll just print it again with whatever printer I'm using then. Chances are it will be better quality from whatever 'state-of-the-art' hardware is available then anyway.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Canon!

i960 if standard letter size is large enough.. otherwise the i9900 or save a few hundred on the older 13" X 19" model. the i9100 which is still around for about $300.00

[scottbergerphoto]

I've been using the Epson 2200 for the last year. I'm very happy with the output and reliability. The free ICC profiles provided by Epson are an added bonus.
Scott

[chris.bailey]

I would also endorse the 2200 (2100 here in the UK ?!?!?) and it has been very reliable and consistent. As I often print work stuff at super A3 its a must but you need a big desk to sit one on.

[John_T]

I bought a i9950 last week. For the last year I've had the i9100 which has been more than excellent, but to my amazement the i9950 is even better. It's the printer I've been waiting for for a long time. :D

[jojo77]

I got the HP 5550 a year and a half ago and I'm satisfied. Should be a lot cheaper now.

[elfyrulz]

hmm.. Epson 2200 looks good not to mention 2200 ink carts only cost $10 @ B&H.

[dn7elson]

In the meantime, I'm rummaging around the Bay Area looking for 13 X 19 paper.

It usually takes some looking. I usually just order it online, usually with free delivery.

Currently, it looks like Buy.com is the cheapest with free shipping on orders over $25.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10254393&dcaid=1688

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90128597&loc=111&sp=1

[jgbeam]

Check out the Epson R800 in the current Shutterbug (and some online reviews as well). I haven't seen any actual output in the flesh, but Epson has apparently solved the bronzing problem that the 2200 has on glossy paper. The R800 seems to be cutting edge technology in a desktop printer. Only goes to letter size, though.

I have an HP 7550 photosmart and it does a great job, but I'm almost wishing it develops a problem so I can justify the R800. I have an HP 1220C at work for Super B's and that does just fine.

Jim

[Duke107]

I bought the Canon i960 (4800 x 1200) and am very happy with the quality and cheap too, there is another Canon that prints 4800 x 2400 ut not sure which model.

[chris.bailey]

hmm.. Epson 2200 looks good not to mention 2200 ink carts only cost $10 @ B&H.

But there are 8 of them!!!

[John_T]

The Canon i9950 has eight too, but since the drop size is now 2 picoliter it uses less ink. Whatever, it's the ouput that counts for me and the i9950 output is what I've been waiting for.

Jim, I've had more gas fading and other degradation problems with HP prints on HP paper than with anything else, if you are looking for and excuse... :twisted:

[elfyrulz]

??? B&H & Best Buy doesnt sell i9950 :(

[dn7elson]

??? B&H & Best Buy doesnt sell i9950 :(

That appears to be the European/Asian version of the i9900. The i9950 is a 220-240V 50-60Hz powered model....doubt that it would be useful in USA :shock:

[John_T]

Dale in a sense yes, but actually no. The i9950 has a facility to print directly on printable CDs. There is a tray you slide in the printer with a CD in it and it prints whatever you want on the printable side of the CD. This was was originally meant for the US distribution, but Canon America felt that price was more important and by cutting the CD printer they could be more price competitive. In Europe you can buy both the i9950 and the i9900. The price difference in not much and otherwise the i9950 and the i9900 are identical. Voltage is 120v-250v 50-60Hz

[dn7elson]

The i9950 has a facility to print directly on printable CDs. There is a tray you slide in the printer with a CD in it and it prints whatever you want on the printable side of the CD.

I'm surprised that more manufacturers haven't included this feature. It is likely as you say, a cost issue, since adding a new print path mechanism adds to the mechanical complexity of the printer and perhaps impacting longevity. How is the slide tray advanced in the i9950?

[John_T]

A little difficult to explain. Below is a link with a too small photo. To the left of the paper output tray is a lever. You pull this lever down, it lifts the output tray up to the CD print position. There is a separate CD-R plastic tray, almost as thin as a CD, in which you place the CD. Using guides on the paper output tray, you slide the CD tray into the printer. Using the included CD-LabelPrint software you can design and print the CD. It is a simple mechanism and definitely nothing that would impact use or longevity of the printer. It's cute but I can't see that I will use it much, but you never know...

http://www.canon-europa.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Printers/Bubble_Jet/i9950/index.asp?ComponentID=157291&SourcePageID=26389#1

I read some review or article that mentioned why the CD printing wouldn't be offered in the States. I didn't pay much attention at the time, so I have more or less forgotten, but it was something about price, didn't think there would be much demand in the US, if it was a goer in Europe, then maybe offer it in the US.

[jgbeam]

The Epson R800 also has the ability to print onto CD's.

Jim

[CyberDyneSystems]

Canon has an entiire line of retro fitted models that will print to CD directly.. they are other than the differences in the feed tray the same printers as the Non-CD models...

But for some reason Canon refuses to sell ANY of them here in the US???

I'd love to get muy hands on the CD print tray for the i960.... and do a little retro fitting myself :twisted:

[jgbeam]

I just stopped in at a pro photo dealer and asked about the Epson R800. They showed me three 8x10 architectural prints from this printer on three different glossy papers (2 Ilford's and 1 Epson). The camera was a Hasselblad with a 22MP digital back.

I have never, anywhere, seen such stunning prints. :shock: They are absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous. They had one printer left in stock and I had to rush out before my hand reached for the wallet. I don't think I will be able to hold out more than a few days. :wink:

Jim

[larsesp1]

Hi all,

I have had the Canon i9950 for about on month now and I must say I am VERY pleased with it. It comes with a CD-tray for direct print on CD's. It prints on 13" x 19" with stunning quality. It has 8 separate ink-cartridges!! It's highly recommended!! When using Canon Photo Paper Pro the quality (color brightness and resolution) is on most pictures even better than the pics from the foto-lab.

GO FOR IT!!! :lol:

Lars E. Hanssen
Oslo, Norway

[markadams99]

[quote="John_T"]The Canon i9950 has eight too, but since the drop size is now 2 picoliter it uses less ink. Whatever, it's the ouput that counts for me and the i9950 output is what I've been waiting for.

The output is at another level from the Canon i950 and s9000 and Epson 890 I know. So far the most jaw-dropping sharpness and 'presence' I've had is the 9950 (9900) + Permajet Matte paper, better than Ilford Glossy and Canon PP Pro. For comparison the Permajet paper bought direct as 100 A3 cost £0.70/sheet next day delivered, cf Canon PPPro A3 at £1.80 per sheet. Because the 9950 is so good, once you've seen A3 it's hard to step down to A4 and material costs are even more significant.

I too have the impression that ink use is markedly less, but I'd love to see a comparison of, say, the 9950 and the 9000 and the Epson 2200. I reluctantly only use the rip-off Canon ink after much trying with cheaper inks. Apart from avoiding head problems, it just removes another variable from the colour conundrum. BUT I wish, I wish there were a system for bulk ink delivery to the 9950. I find you can carry on printing for a few A3 sheets after the first warning of low ink (STOP,then RESUME) and that Photo Magenta and Photo Cyan run out soonest.

[PhotosGuy]

You don't show where you live, but if you're in the US, let me suggest this: Find a Walgreens, COSTCO, or SAMs & have a few prints made there. They all have very high quality printers. If you like the quality, then consider saving the money on a printer, & spend it on prints instead.
OK, now the rest of you guys can yell at me! :wink: :lol: