Pixima IP8500 or i9950

[BlueTit]

I have not been pleased with results from local or postal labs, my existing HP 990Cxi does at least as good a job, but is very slow and does not do borderless prints. I was looking at both the IP8500 and the i9950 I would be interested to hear any opinions on which is the best for high quality long lasting photo prints up to A4.

(Edited to change Canon 990Cxi to HP 990Cxi, I just have Canon on the brain)

[J Rabin]

best for high quality long lasting photo prints up to A4.

My opinion, from experience with both is that both have similar print head, are VERY FAST, quiet, very efficient ink users, very accurate color when using color managed system, and with the 8 inks can print very wide gamut, beyond sRGB, possibly greens and yellows even beyond Adobe RGB, closer to E-6 processed slides. They work best with Canon paper, really well with Ilford paper, trouble matching to Kodak paper.
My opinion is also, for the money, the 8500 is a less good value than the 9900/9950 purchased at discount, even though it is more money. In the US, the 9900 can be found for $439 USD discounted. There is going to be that ONE TIME that you take a wonderful photo, and really want to get Ilford Smooth Pearl Paper in 11x17 or 13x19 and print it. You'll regret not having ability.
As to your quote above, NO dye printer like the Canon's will make long lasting prints unless they are placed under lucite or glass. Need a pigment ink printer or higher for that.

[BlueTit]

Thanx J Rabin. When I said long lasting I was intending they would be behind glass anyway. Just in case (not likely) I sell a print, I would hate it to fade, while they still remember who they bought it from ;-)

I think I agree about the i9950s ability to print larger, I was just wondering what you guys thought.

[lostdoggy]

Long lasting try Epson R800, R1800, R2400, 4800, 7800, 9800

[Pelao]

I don't have either printer, but I agree with J Rabin on principle. If you can afford the larger printer then get it. I have the Epson R800. Wonderful printer - but I wish I had waited and get the R1800.

The price differential is relatively small, and yet the added size option is very nice.

Both printers you mention get great reviews, so get one - but make it the larger one!

[BlueTit]

Ordered the R1800 today locally, but two week wait!! No where has either the i9950 or R1800 in stock. I went for the R1800 in the end because it was €250 /€300 cheaper.

Thanx for your opinions.

[lancea]

BlueTit - are you saying the R1800 was Euro250 cheaper than the i9950? That's interesting. Looking at the New Zealand dealer who offers the best prices (for here): Epson R1800 (due end of May) = $NZ1328. i9950 is listed at $NZ1062.

If you're getting it cheaper than the Canon then maybe our Epson price will drop quite quickly. Still a bit beyond my budget - but it does look very nice. I've been thinking about getting the R800, but perhaps I should wait as A3 would be nice.

[BlueTit]

Lancea, you can't go by prices here because they are all high!! But for comparison I got three quotes for the i9950 2 @ €859 and 1 @ €899. I got two on the R1800 €649 and €624 which is what I paid.

I had not looked into the Epson until I started going around the shops and though none of them had any of them in stock, theyseemed to all recommend the R1800.

Hope the price drops for you which ever you choose. BTW I bought A3 paper today just to be ready for delivery and nearly passed out with the fright. €49.99 for 30 sheets 240g glossy. I think I will be shoping on eBay for paper from now on.

[lancea]

Lancea, you can't go by prices here because they are all high!!
Ditto! :) Some things in New Zealand are competitive with the US prices (especially when you take shipping into account) - but high-end scanners and printers are much more expensive. I shudder to think how much it would cost to ship a printer to NZ. Those boxes tend to be big ...

Thanks for the extra info. Because you paid less for the Epson than the Canon, that gives me more reason to wait. But with the price you paid for A3 paper an A4 is looking more attractive :) The cartidges are the killer (not sure if they are the same ones in the R1800). As an example, the Epson R800 is $749, but the cartidges cost $30 each, with the gloss optimiser at $19. So total cost to fill the thing up is $229 :shock: Oh, and of course a printer cable is extra.

[BlueTit]

Amazingly the R1800 arrived today, I was told it would be two weeks so I am very pleased. It is bigger than I expected, remember I never saw it in the shop, they had none. Anyway it is set up and I have printed one photo and am very pleased.

One sang though, there is no instructions except the Reference file on system that is a HTML doc - I HATE reading off a screen and would much prefer a booklet or somehing I could print.

Off to try a few more photos and something on A3 :-)

[lancea]

Don't forget to post some examples :mrgreen: The Epson 4990 scanner I bought a couple of months ago also came with no printed manual, except for the SilverFast software. It did however have a "quick setup" sheet. In some ways it's a blessing because I have great difficulty finding manuals. Have fun with your new toy! I'll keep an eye on the local prices as it does look very nice.