Printer for Photos Under $400? Does anyone here print photos at all?

[Servo'd]

I know there are other options, but for my specific needs I need to be able to print 8x11.5, and be able to see results/differences on the fly. So that means I can't use an outside printing service.

So I'm shopping around for a printer that I can print 8x11.5 borderless on. I'm not sure if I should go with HP, Canon, or Epson, and I am at a loss for which model. Print speed is not a major concern, print quality is, so probably will cost more than $125.

I'd also like to be able to do 6x4's but i assume if it can do 8x11.5 it can do 6x4. If it can print 13x19 that is a plus but not necessary.

If it is not in the price range I specified, please tell me anyway what you have used, its price, make/model, and approximate purchase date... and of course if you like the results

Also if you know of good glossy paper to use, let me know. Right now I'm looking at Staples High Gloss which is their best quality glossy at $35 for 50 sheets. Let me know if you know a good brand - price is not a large issue for the paper because I don't want the paper to hold back the picture in any way.

Thanks much

[coreypolis]

if you want photos on the fly and borderless glossy prints, I might look into a dye-sub printer instead. faster printing, drying, water resistant glossy prints with a fuller range of tones.

[fivefish]

Epson R340. will do borderless 8.5x11. I paid around $150 for mine. Works great on both PC and Mac OSX.

Quality is top-notch, especially when used with glossy paper. I'm selling 8x11 prints using this printer.... In fact, I printed (5) sheets for today's order. I'm using Ilford glossy paper. Don't skimp on paper cost. It's well worth it.

[Servo'd]

Originally Posted by coreypolis

if you want photos on the fly and borderless glossy prints, I might look into a dye-sub printer instead. faster printing, drying, water resistant glossy prints with a fuller range of tones.

I don't think I've ever seen or heard of that kind of printer. I don't need fast printing, that's of a low priority (my fault, I worded that first sentence poorly), but is it still better than inkjet? Is there any disadvantage, or is it just slightly more epxensive?

[Servo'd]

Originally Posted by fivefish

Epson R340. will do borderless 8.5x11. I paid around $150 for mine. Works great on both PC and Mac OSX.

Quality is top-notch, especially when used with glossy paper. I'm selling 8x11 prints using this printer.... In fact, I printed (5) sheets for today's order. I'm using Ilford glossy paper. Don't skimp on paper cost. It's well worth it.

Great, and I assume it can handle 6x4 paper too? Where can I get this ilford glossy, im not sure if i saw it in staples, office deopt, or costco. What vendor do you reccomend?

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by Servo'd

I don't think I've ever seen or heard of that kind of printer. I don't need fast printing, that's of a low priority (my fault, I worded that first sentence poorly), but is it still better than inkjet? Is there any disadvantage, or is it just slightly more epxensive?

'Dye sub' = Dye sublimation printer, printer which uses tranfer of ink to paper via heat transfer from a dye 'ribbon'. Each image uses up a full section of dyes on the transfer ribbon, regardless if it is one line across the page or a page of black! Less economical than inkjet, therefore. But no clogged jets ever! Also requires special paper, not merely paper you can buy in any store carrying photopaper for inkjets.

[cdifoto]

I currently use an Epson R300 that I was going to sell once my R2400 arrives this week. I've sold a lot of prints to a lot of happy customers with it. I've ran prints under water to test the colorfastness and it held up really well.

I don't mean to sell outside of the "sell" forum, but if you're interested you can PM me.

[Billginthekeys]

the canon i9900 is a awesome printer. prints up to 13x19 beautifully, and is about $400

[Servo'd]

im currently debating between a number of choices. The i9900 is most appealing to me except for cost, so i'm going to keep looking for <$300 alternatives that just do 8.5 x 11 at their most


Actually im wondering, if a printer can do 8x10 does that mean it does 8.5x11? its confusing because pcmag.com reviews only mention 8x10 and then i dont know if it can do letter size ?

[Tedward]

I love my Canon Pixma IP4200. It does borederless printing for 8.5x11, but I believe you are going to be pressed to find 8.5"x11" glossy photo paper. I think the comparable photo paper is 8x10, that's why you see most tests reporting this size in testing. It's under $100 and the pictures are awesome. No graininess what so ever. 75 reviews on Amazon w/ a 4.5/5 star rating. One smart printer. There are 2 higher end Pixma printers that were rated top 5 photo printers on PCWORLD (see their site).

[cdifoto]

Epson has 8.5x11 Premium Glossy and Premium Luster photo paper.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Originally Posted by Servo'd

im currently debating between a number of choices. The i9900 is most appealing to me except for cost, so i'm going to keep looking for <$300 alternatives that just do 8.5 x 11 at their most


Actually im wondering, if a printer can do 8x10 does that mean it does 8.5x11? its confusing because pcmag.com reviews only mention 8x10 and then i dont know if it can do letter size ?

The i9900 is incredible. I've had mine nearly a year, and I'm still impressed with the prints. Everything from proof size up to 13x19. Borderless 8.5x11, borderless 4x6, 11x14, 13x19, etc. It's a big sucker it seems, but hey..it prints big. To me, it prints very fast, and it doesn't shake/buzz etc like most inkjets do. Very quiet. I paid $500 for mine last year, but they're around $400 now. You'd be very happy, I think.

[NickSimcheck]

Just got a Canon iP6600D at Staples for $99 bucks, it's a lot better then the iP5000 I got from staples for $50.

Nobody beats staples for discontinued model discounts.

[Tdragone]

I've been using the HP 8150 and love it! It has a separate tray for 4X6 and the normal 8.5X11 tray as well. Ink is more expensive but you get a new print head every time. I've not had a single clogged nozzle problem yet in more than 1 year of printing.

I was always swearing ay my Canon printers; now it's going to take a lot of convincing to get me to go back to a system where the print head is not replaced with the ink cartridge!

[Bob_A]

If you mainly want a printer for 4x6's I agree that dye sub is a great way to go. I use a Canon Selphy CP600 which gives excellent results. Great for prints that you want to pass around the kitchen table too since you can even wash them if they get goop on them.