BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Printing Digital Pictures

Photography Question 

Rebecca A. Steed
 

I Need a Good Photo Printer


I need suggestions, please. I'm working on a home-based (2-bedroom-apartment-based) studio. I need a good photo printer that would be used solely for printing photos and (small) posters. Obviously, it would have to be pretty small to fit here, but I want good quality and know nothing about the technology. I also want to be able to print up to 8x10 or even 11x15. All suggestions are welcome.


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December 28, 2005

 

robert G. Fately
  Becky, if you really need to go up to 11x14 or larger, then your only option is pretty much an inkjet printer. Dye Sublimation printers like the Kodak 1400 produce outstanding output but their maximal size is 8x12 inches.
In the world of inkjets, Epson, Canon and HP are the best known brands. They make a gaggle of models - the Epson 2200 has been considered an excellent photographic printer with sizes up to 13x19 (actually 13x44" if you use roll paper and a Windows machine). And they now have a newer model - the 2800 I think.
Just know that with inkjet printers you want to use quality supplies, because lesser inks and/or papers will probably fade sooner as well as not produce the colors you want. But there's a whole craft to printing with inkjets; you may want to do a little investigation with some color management books at the library.


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December 28, 2005

 

Peter K. Burian
  Becky: Both Canon and Epson make excellent 13x19" format printers. The Canon i9900 is less expensive than the Epson R1800, but its prints do not last as long. About 20 years on display vs. 80 years on display.
In other respects, the Canon is a superb printer - $384 right now ... a bargain. The R1800 is $529. You can find specs for both at www.bhphotovideo.com
I have tested both and would be happy with either.
All the best,
Peter Burian, Instructor
Online Photo Course: Mastering the Digital Camera and Photography


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December 28, 2005

 

John P. Sandstedt
  I just made my first 13X19 print on my new Canon i9900, an upgrade from my Canon S-800 (about six years old, but still very functional.) I used the same file from which I printed on the S-800 a "winner" at my camera club's recent competition (Best of Event). I did nothing but adjust the print size; that is, I did not adjust the file size to try for a sharper print, rather I told the print to make a larger print from the starting file. I was elated with the results.
Peter mentioned the Epson 2200. Many folks swear by this model; however, it's been replaced by the R1800. This model costs almost $100 more than the i9900. But, more importantly, when you link to the Epson site from the printing menus and check out the cost (MSRP) of ink per cartridge, you'll find that Canon ink is significantly cheaper. Like up to $2.00 each.
Since I believe it's the ink and the paper that make the difference, I pay attention to these costs. In a number of threads, I recommended using ONLY the ink provided by the printer's maker. I like Ilford paper, especially for B&W prints, but the cost of ink is key.
The price differential made me get the i9900 for myself and for my camera club. However, many folks will suggest that Epson best. It's not the Nikon vs Canon debate, but it's close. Check out a comparison of three 13X19 printers (Canon i9900, Epson R1800 and an HP model) in the December issue of Pop Photo.
One comment on Peter's reference to print life: Manufacturers' test results "suggest" print life up to 100 years. The wet darkroom produced prints by Matthew Brady and these have lasted well over 100 years. Digital printing has been around for, what, say 10 years (for us amateurs). Time will tell - but most of us won't be around to prove those 100-year claims.


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January 01, 2006

 

Peter K. Burian
  John: Yes, Canon ink is cheaper but which lasts longer? I have not done comparison testing nor have I seen any such published tests. Yes, many black-and-white prints are archival. But the color prints we get from a lab last 40 years or less. (A LOT less depending on the paper used.)
Lots of good info on the permanence of prints (of all types) at www.wilhelm-research.com
Epson's other new 13x19" printer is the 2400; a lot more expensive than the R1800; a pro model.


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January 01, 2006

 

John P. Sandstedt
  Peter -

Once, again, I say - who knows. Life of the ink or print, from an inkjet, is based on a test since no one's been around [waiting for the inkjet's print failure] even that 40 years you describe.

Many commercial photo-finishers, who use an inkjet printer while waiting for their next customer's one-hour processing order, swear by Epson. And, I'm not saying they are right or wrong.

But, at a time when lots of folks [on BP.com and elsewhere] say digital is cheaper than film photography, well then, the price of the ink [wherein lies most of the profit for printer manufacturers] has to be very critical.

As Canon eclipsed Nikon in the digital camera world [for a short time, at least,]so it's possible that Canon has a very acceptable product at $100-200 less capital cost and major savings available at the result of lower priced inks.


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January 01, 2006

 

Piotr M. Organa
  Get R1800. I have R800, same thing but smaller. It's awesome. If you get cheap printer you won't sell a single picture because of ugly candy color.
Good luck in new year!


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January 02, 2006

 

Lisa Chatelain
  Hi Becky, I have had the Epson R1800 for about 6 months and have been very happy with it.
Lisa


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January 03, 2006

 
- Tracy L. Hart

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Tracy L. Hart
Tracy L. Hart's Gallery
  The Canon i9900is great.. I have had mine for a month and it prints 13x19 great and of course those sizes in between.. and yes, they're much less money wise now... The fact that I can replace the individual cartridges is great!!!


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January 03, 2006

 

Peter K. Burian
  By the way the Epson 13x19 format machines also use individual ink tanks.

And I agree; this is a great concept. (You replace only the single ink that runs out .... not a cartridge that contains three or more ink colors.)

Peter Burian, Instructor
Mastering the Digital Camera and Photography
www.betterphoto.com/photocourses/PBN01.php


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January 03, 2006

 

Rebecca A. Steed
  Thank you so much to everyone who has replied to my inquery. I hope you all had a good holiday season, and when I get a little money back after all my 'holiday cheer,' I plan to purchase one. In the meantime, I'm going to continue my search for the perfect printer, and now I have some ideas to go off of.


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January 03, 2006

 

Kelly S. Andrews
  I am also looking for a new printer. I currently have an Epson 2200 which I love when printing on the Professional Enhanced matte or Watercolor paper. However I really don't like the way the Epson glossy prints look as there is a sheen on the paper and the ink looks like it sits on top. I also have a Canon i950 which only prints up to 8-1/2 x 11 and I love how glossy prints look from this printer. The Canon is also a very fast printer. Unfortunately, my print head went on the Canon and it hasn't been right since I got it fixed.

As I think it makes sense to buy another larger printer so that I have a backup for my Epson, I am leaning toward the i9900. I really just want to make sure that the glossy prints made with the i9900 will be comparable to the ones from the i950. I will mainly be using the Canon for smaller things like notecards and portraits where my customer prefers glossy and I will continue to use my Epson for my large art prints. All of the user reviews I have read on the Canon have been excellent, but I haven't been able to find a retailer that carries this printer and can print a test print for me on glossy stock. Anybody know if the printing is comparable?


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January 03, 2006

 

Peter K. Burian
  Kelly: I tested the i9900 and it made beautiful glossy prints.

I also own the Epson 2200 and hate the glossy prints. BUT it does a great job with Premium Luster paper.

That finish is not as shiny which is fine with me. The perfect paper for use with that printer.

Peter Burian, Instructor
Mastering the Digital Camera and Photography
www.betterphoto.com/photocourses/PBN01.php


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January 03, 2006

 

Glenn E. Urquhart
  Hi Becky - I own a Canon i9900. Have used it over a year, printing 8x10 & 11x14 on Illford Clasic Gloss paper and the results are fantastic. Highly recommend this printer. Cheers. Glenn


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January 04, 2006

 

Bryan E. Stark
  Picking a printer is like picking a camera.what's the most important features.For cameras I happen to like Nikon.My printer is a Epson 2200,which I chose for the outstanding print quality, longevity of print(pigments not dyes),And individual color cartridges(7),very cost effective.My next printer will be an epson too.If you print a great deal an alternative to cartridges is a tank feed system (Media Street or Lyson)would give you a 70% savings or more.I have also found Ilford smooth gloss and pearl to be more reasonabe in cost than Epson paper with great results. Have fun on your quest.

Bryan Stark@Starkpics.com


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January 05, 2006

 
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