Canon i9900 vs. Epson 2200

[Spargo]

What is your opinion on this? I hear that the only main difference (other than the Epson being a couple hundred $ more) is that the Canon's prints will last roughly 25 years while the Epsons will go 50-80 years. I was told that if you sell your prints to a gallery they won't even consider prints from the Canon because of this fact. But other than that, I think the Canon is much better and cheaper. What do you think, anyone here have one? I saw some prints of both, amazing. :D

[PacAce]

I bought the Canon i9900 because of the 2 additional colors it has (red and green) and the lower price. However, up until that time, all my printers have been Epsons and have never had problems with them so I'm sure I would have been happy with the Epson 2200, as well, were it not for the factt that I really did want the red and green ink of the i9900. :)

[Belmondo]

I bought the i9900 primarily because I got a 'deal' on it. The store had them mixed in with a bunch of i9100s that they had marked down t0 $299.00 for clearance.

I believe the image quality is going to be nearly the same, and I don't expect to be around to see if the prints deteriorate significantly after 25 years. (or if I am still here, I don't expect it will matter very much). Another factor was that I had built up a hefty supply of extra ink cartridges for my i950, and they're the same ones the i9900 uses (plus two new ones---red and green).

Basically, the difference for me was just the money. (Gads. How does that make me sound?)

[Digital Prophet]

Basically, the difference for me was just the money. (Gads. How does that make me sound?)

Like a intelligent and reasonable person.

I agree, if I am around in 25 years I am damn sure not going to care if the print is. What I want to know, since I am considering a 9900 (actually I want a 9950 for cd printing) is do you have to use special ink/paper to get the longest lasting prints?

- Digital Prophet -

[Spargo]

I believe so for the paper. It is one of the things that matters most (quite possibly as much as the printer).

[DocFrankenstein]

This is unconfirmed, but when I was reading about i9900 about a month ago they said that because of the smaller droplets than other printers, the third party inks clog it up.

Again, I just read it somewhere. I don't have a printer.

[PacAce]

Basically, the difference for me was just the money. (Gads. How does that make me sound?)

Like a intelligent and reasonable person.

I agree, if I am around in 25 years I am darn sure not going to care if the print is. What I want to know, since I am considering a 9900 (actually I want a 9950 for cd printing) is do you have to use special ink/paper to get the longest lasting prints?

- Digital Prophet -

The ink is the same ink that's used in the other Canon printers that take the BCI-6 series ink tanks. And as for the paper, i guess you'd have to use the Canon photo papers that are specifically made to absorb and "lock in" the ink. But just understand that for the prints to last 25 years, they have to be framed under glass to protect the print from UV and harmful particles found floating in the air.

[scottbergerphoto]

I use a 2200. I've never seen output from the Canon. I love the color, skin tones and crisp detail from the 2200. When considering price, consider the fact that Epson gives you ICC profiles for all their Premium Papers with their ink for free. That's at least a $250 freebie.
Regards,
Scott

[Spargo]

ICC profiles?

[scottbergerphoto]

ICC profiles?
Using ICC profiles for your paper/ink combination helps to make sure that when using a calibrated monitor, what you get as a print, matches your monitor. They are part of a fully color managed system. They are easy to use once you know how to plug them in. Usually a single profile for a single type/brand paper and ink set is about $50-75.(Premium Glossy, Premium Lustre, Premium SemiGloss, Watercolor, etc).
This explains it better then I can:
http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/profiles.htm
Regards,
Scott

[HKdom]

I don't know if you've seen this site yet:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/Epson2200.shtml

That particular link describes the 2200's features and capabilities in good length.

There might be some interesting information that can help you come to a more considered opinion, or at least it's a good starting point. Note that comparisons were made to the older S9000 and not the i9900 so some information may be outdated.

-dom

[minatophase3]

I have a Canon i9900 and my friend WHO10 has the Epson 2200. Both are truly excellent printers. I did a side by side comparison of an 11x14 print from both printers and I can assure you that you would be happy with either.

The print I used for comparison was of a Rainbow Lorikeet bird. Very colorful and I think the Canon print was a little more vivid, but I was also very pleased with the Epson print.

I have been using the Ilford Galerie Classic Pearl paper for portrait prints and the Classic Gloss for all other prints. I have been very happy with the results and you can download the profiles from Ilford for free. Also a lot cheaper than the Canon paper.

Tim

[PacAce]

ICC profiles?

The Canon i9900 comes with them, too, and they get installed when you install the printer driver. Using them (and using the correct one) really makes a big difference in the final outcome of the prints.

[scottbergerphoto]

ICC profiles?

The Canon i9900 comes with them, too, and they get installed when you install the printer driver. Using them (and using the correct one) really makes a big difference in the final outcome of the prints.
I didn't know that. Thanks.
Scott

[Dale]

I didn't know that. Thanks.
Scott

The following will give you a discription of each profile.
http://www.photokaechler.com/files/Canon_Profile_Guide.pdf

[Longwatcher]

The ink is the same ink that's used in the other Canon printers that take the BCI-6 series ink tanks. And as for the paper, i guess you'd have to use the Canon photo papers that are specifically made to absorb and "lock in" the ink. But just understand that for the prints to last 25 years, they have to be framed under glass to protect the print from UV and harmful particles found floating in the air.

I love my i9900 printer, however,
I would not recommend using the Canon paper from personal experience. It fades too fast. I do however recommend only using Canon inks.

I prefer Kodak Ultima or Ilford classic pearl paper for longevity.

Evidence indicates Kodak Ultima paper will last about 25 years in open air (versus Canon coated under glass. Kodak claims 100 years, but I believe only 25 of that with the confidence I need. This is equal to all but perhaps Epson using archival ink and archival paper. Lately though I have started using Ilford Classic Pearl more often as overall I like the look better and so far seems to also not fade like Canon paper does. The catch is it takes longer to dry then any other paper I use.

Just my opinion and research,

[Dale]

I love my i9900 printer,
Me too

I prefer Kodak Ultima or Ilford classic pearl paper for longevity.


I picked up a pkg of the Ultima yesterday and using the Canon Photo Paper plus setting in the print driver and the paper plus profile I was surprised to see how well the colors match.:) I'll be getting some Ilford classic later this week to try out with the Ilford profiles.

[MDJAK]

While I firmly believe in "You get what you pay for," I couldn't resist buying third party ink for my Canon S9000. While the Canon ink cartridges are roughly 12 bucks a piece, the third party ink I got was only 3 bucks a piece. I hope I didn't make a mistake in purchasing it. I do print many pictures, quite a few 13x19, and the ink goes very fast, so that's why I got it. Any thoughts?

[Spatch]

Just to revive this thread quickly. I have decided that my new printer will either be a i9950 (i9900 in US) or an Epsom 2100 (2200 in US). I know that many of you out there are using these printers already.

So far, I am leaning towards the Canon (since I currently have an i950, I have spare inks and Ilford Classic compatible paper). However, there is one question that could swing it either way (and I have broached the subject on this BB before).

I need to know which of these printers prints the best black & white images. I do quite a lot of B&W stuff and I need to be able to get good prints without colour casts. Both Epson and Canon have ICC profiles available that I can use.

So, I would appreciate any comments regarding your experiences of the quality of B&W prints from these printers (including if possible the paper type you are using).

Thanks for your feedback.
Mark.

[donlavange]

I have a 2200 and I like it a lot. However, the best prints in B & W may require a change from Photo Black ink to Matte Black ink. On my mac, not a simple task.

My Sister in Law has the Canon and she gets beutiful prints "out of the box".

Just a comment on how long prints last. Someone earlier said that they "did'nt care" about prints lasting long. I have 3 or 4 Cibachrome prints that I took and printed in 1978 above my workstation that look as good as the day they were printed. They still give me a good feeling when I look at them.

[pyterps]

Let me just ask the question. With either of these printers is the quality good enough to sell these prints to a customer. Let's say you do a wedding or a portrait setting. Will you use what comes out of the printer or send them off to a lab?

[Dale]

Looking at our wedding photos taken 40 years ago I would be more than happy to receive my photos printed by on the i9900. They would be stored an album.

[rcrobert]

Just one more consideration --

The i9900 is limited to 13x19 (maybe 13x 24?). The Epson can print 13X44". If you print panoramas, the Epson is more versatile.

[scottbergerphoto]

Let me just ask the question. With either of these printers is the quality good enough to sell these prints to a customer. Let's say you do a wedding or a portrait setting. Will you use what comes out of the printer or send them off to a lab?I use the Epson 2200, Epson Ink and paper. I routinely sell prints made on it .
Regards,
Scott

[Moniphoto]

Thanks for all your comments. I whent to 3 stores today. I was watching the printers.
:) Let see if I buy one...

Moniphoto
Power Shot A95

[Sharon P Johnson]

I made the same decision on Friday between the i9900 and the 2200. Unfortunately, no one had either in stock in Waco, Texas. About 6 months ago CompUSA closed and they had both. So the comments on this forum, and review were very helpful. I purchased the Canon i9900, and hope to have it this week.

[Spatch]

Any more comments on your experiences on the B&W performance of these printers?

Thanks.

[traceye]

From experience of owning an i900D, 960 and now the i9900, I have colour prints that were printed from the i900D in October 2003 and hundreds of others after that and I can say this - as a photographer, I've yet to see any of the colours fade and having several friends who work in labs, I'm told that even lab prints left out in the light will fade. UV is a huge colour-drainer, no matter what the media is. I have found that using Ilford or Canon papers to be the best for results and again, nothing has faded. I have prints on the wall even from my old HP 970Cse (about 6 or 7 years old) that I scanned and printed and framed behind UV protectant glass, which look like they came out of the printer today. The point is - if you really like your photos and want to keep them, keep them out of the air as much as you can (without becoming obsessive about it) and/or protect them in frames with the proper glass.

I chose the i9900 because of the ChromaPLUS inks, the extra red/green inks which yes, do make a HUGE difference, plus the fact that it's a Canon and also because of this review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/canon_i9900.html

As for galleries not accepting the prints - too bad for those galleries.

The choice is entirely yours and there's a ton of information on the internet and yes, you're going to find people who bash Canon because they like Epson and you're going to find Canon lovers who bash Epson. Kind of like the Canon vs Nikon Digital SLR bashing at dpreview.com.

I for one, back up all my photos on DVD and make backups of those once or twice a year. Seems like a pain in the butt, but it's easier to do this than have a house fire, flood, etc. and then it doesn't matter what kind of ink you use.

My long-winded .02 worth.

Tracey Eide
Loving my 20D & i9900 & 550 EX