Which Photo Printer?

[PMG]

Old Epson Stylus Photo 700 died after several years of good service. . . eenie, meenie, miny, mo

I've looked and read and thought . . . and decided I've been happy with Epson and have arrived possibly at a choice of the Stylus R1800 (A3 capability which I didn't have before)

Anyone got any good advice - burning reasons to buy something else?

Pauline

[glsammy]

I've found a review of it, it uses the same ink as the R800, So good value ink is available. It's quite an older model, that review was in 2005. Mind you, so what? They liked the photo output from it and that's what matters.
Top of the Line Photo Printers - Epson Stylus Photo R1800: Full Review - Review by PC Magazine

[PMG]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I've found a review of it, it uses the same ink as the R800, So good value ink is available. It's quite an older model, that review was in 2005. Mind you, so what? They liked the photo output from it and that's what matters.
Top of the Line Photo Printers - Epson Stylus Photo R1800: Full Review - Review by PC Magazine

Thanks Graham - most of the reviews are from 2005 - the NEW new one is the 1400 with something called Claria inks? and I notice only 6 ink colours - whereas 1800 has 8 (more than one black if I remember - could be important for b&w - not that I do much of that but you never know!) The next choice would be the 2400 which is almost double the cost . . . so now that I'm on half time - half wages its not a choice!

I notice the Pixma range scores higher but poss only for speed and as far as I know I won't be printing out hundreds and needing them yesterday - what I enjoy is editing until a pic is as near perfect as poss and then printing it out to the best it can poss be . . . there's satisfaction in that!

Pauline

[colincurry]

I have just bought a Pixma MP600 which is an all in one but the photoprinter has the same specs as their MP400? stand alone photoprinter. It will not do A3. I am very happy with it. I did all the usual research and it scored very highly.

Colin

[HowlinWolf]

PMG,

No recommendations here: just a question.

How often do you find yourself requiring A3 prints? If you frequently do, then obviously a printer of that capability is the way forward, but bear in mind that an A3 print uses twice the amount of ink of an A4 print. It may be more economical to have larger prints made at a local, or online lab, and continue to make smaller prints yourself. I no longer use a printer at home, except for printing out contact sheets for reference, preferring to have any prints needed made by a lab. For one thing, their print machine costs considerably more than anything I'd be prepared to buy, although modern printers do give excellent quality: it's just all that wasted ink!

HW

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by PMG

Anyone got any good advice - burning reasons to buy something else?

Well, as I work for HP I can think of one other manufacturer that might be worth a look!

Joking aside, I still use an Epson Stylus 880 (which I bought before I started working for HP) and it's great. It's at least seven years old but print quality is still excellent.

Dave P.

[galanthus]

I've been researching this for around 2 months and have read really good reviews on the Epson r1800, only prob seems to be needless ink consumption I'm just bordering on ordering one myself. We've just decorated and had extra rooms built, I love taking photographs and decided as we need around 10 A3 prints now's the time. Seen it for around £300 squids online.

[bob hastie]

I've got the Epson R800. I looked at the R1800 but decided that if I wanted A3 size it would be cheaper to get them printed by an online lab. (The one I use charges £5.99 for an A3 and I know the quality will be great)
As for the R800 I couldn't be happier. The quality is great, running costs are reasonable and I've had no problems with it in the year and a half I've owned it.
That said I always use Epson inks and paper. I know I could reduce costs by using other makes but as everything works very well at the moment I'm going to stick with what I know works.
Bob

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by bob hastie

I've got the Epson R800. I looked at the R1800 but decided that if I wanted A3 size it would be cheaper to get them printed by an online lab. (The one I use charges £5.99 for an A3 and I know the quality will be great)
As for the R800 I couldn't be happier. The quality is great, running costs are reasonable and I've had no problems with it in the year and a half I've owned it.
That said I always use Epson inks and paper. I know I could reduce costs by using other makes but as everything works very well at the moment I'm going to stick with what I know works.
Bob

I have to admit that Epson paper is the best for their printers. I've tried many other brands and the Epson one leaves them all standing. I'm way too mean to use their inks though!

[G0NYM]

I will have to add my ten penath .
I have an R800 and I am very pleased with the prints over the last 18 months or so.
I like Glsammy think the paper is important to good prints I all so use Epson paper,the price of the ink cartridges was getting a silly so I changed to a continuous ink system a while back and I have not looked back since .
It took me quite some time to get the calibrtion correct, from what I was seeing on the screen to what turned out at the printer.
Martin

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by G0NYM

It took me quite some time to get the calibrtion correct, from what I was seeing on the screen to what turned out at the printer.
Martin

This is what puts me off using an external lab to do my A3 prints. Do they come back looking different colours due to settings etc ?

[PMG]

Originally Posted by galanthus

This is what puts me off using an external lab to do my A3 prints. Do they come back looking different colours due to settings etc ?

I don't suppose we are allowed to advertise or recommend firms but I know one (haven't actually used them) but know folk who have and wouldn't do it any other way than sending off and they end up framed and on walls so it must be worth it. Its just that I like doing my own and would like to go back to doing my own!

Pauline

[PMG]

Thanks guys - that's given me something to think about . . . and its more or less changed my mind as regards buying A3 capability - no I'm not going to use it much - so I would be better off with a lab. So its stick a pin in time - cos without actually testing two different makes side by side and seeing if there is any discernable differences - then its pays yer money and takes yer choice! I think I will stick with Epson - my old Photo 700 has given good results steadily over the years - so I guess I will plump for the R800.

Husband sat behind me has an almost unused R300 and as soon as we can get one of our IT friends to come and have a look at the probs with my set up and uploading to wab - he will also join Ians comp to mine so he will be on the web too and I could use his printer but as we tend to be friendlier with each other when we have our own equipment (and do not mess with or alter any of each others settings etc!) then for a couple of hundred I think its better if we keep to our own desks and stuff. . . funny that - we share most things amicably - photography and its associated bits n bobs we can fall out over . . .

Thanks again for sharing thoughts folks on what you use - its very helpful

Pauline

[nightshade]

I have a cheap Epson R265 this uses the Claria inks and does a very good print
saw it demonstrated at PC world by a rep and asked them to print a selection
of images of my own which they did and I was very pleased(free prints he-he)
and spare inks at half price

[PMG]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I have a cheap Epson R265 this uses the Claria inks and does a very good print
saw it demonstrated at PC world by a rep and asked them to print a selection
of images of my own which they did and I was very pleased(free prints he-he)
and spare inks at half price

I love that nightshade - how many times did you go back in with different images of your own before you made your mind up LOL

Pauline

[nightshade]

They ran off a dozen or so as it attracted a large group of potential customers
Grass-snake,Kittens, garden birds including a flash of Sparrowhawk chancing it
with a flock of Gold Finches (pushed WAB as well)
Not a bad buy

[PMG]

Originally Posted by nightshade

They ran off a dozen or so as it attracted a large group of potential customers
Grass-snake,Kittens, garden birds including a flash of Sparrowhawk chancing it
with a flock of Gold Finches (pushed WAB as well)
Not a bad buy

[richardkm]

I currently use a Canon S9000 A3 printer, as I print most of my pics at A3 size.

I've recently added an external ink supply system to reduce the ink cost. This puts large ink tanks outside the printer with tubes going to adapted ink cartridges which fit in place of the normal cartridge. I've noticed no reduction in quality, but a huge reduction in ink cost.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by richardkm

I currently use a Canon S9000 A3 printer, as I print most of my pics at A3 size.

I've recently added an external ink supply system to reduce the ink cost. This puts large ink tanks outside the printer with tubes going to adapted ink cartridges which fit in place of the normal cartridge. I've noticed no reduction in quality, but a huge reduction in ink cost.

Thanks Richard - that's an interesting idea and one I would consider if I was going to do a lot of A3 printing. . . I think I should get a website set up first and try the waters a little before splashing out! In the meanwhile it would be good to go back to printing a few things off at A4 so I think I will end up with the R800 ..... but I shall wait a bit longer and see if anyone else throws in any suggestions!! Thanks

Pauline

[PMG]

Originally Posted by PMG

Thanks Richard - that's an interesting idea and one I would consider if I was going to do a lot of A3 printing. . . I think I should get a website set up first and try the waters a little before splashing out! In the meanwhile it would be good to go back to printing a few things off at A4 so I think I will end up with the R800 ..... but I shall wait a bit longer and see if anyone else throws in any suggestions!! Thanks

Pauline

I've gone for it - the R800 - it might 'old' but I think it will suffice for a few years - if it does as well as the really old Stylus Photo 700 sat here incapacitated, then I shall be well pleased. Had I gone for an A3 capable model I would spend a fortune on prints and clutter the walls at home which wouldn't please the other half!! As it is I will have to be really convinced I want an A3 print to actually send off for one and that should keep the purse closed and t'other half happy!!!

Thanks to all who gave advice in this thread - you're a splendid gang of pals!

Pauline

[bob hastie]

I hope you and the R800 will have a long and fruitful life together.
Bob

[PMG]

[quote=bob hastie;181699]I hope you and the R800 will have a long and fruitful life together.
Bob


Thankyou! It has arrived . . . and I'm trying to find time to open it and begin the installation!!

Pauline

[PMG]

Originally Posted by PMG

Thankyou! It has arrived . . . and I'm trying to find time to open it and begin the installation!!

Pauline

Finally this evening plucked up the courage to open the box and install . . . and YES its all gone swimmingly - I DON'T BELIEVE IT - a mechanical thing has actually done as promised on the box

I've printed out my calendar for next year (NO not instead of WAB - goodness me no) but the one with my shifts on that I carry in my wallet - its incredibly complicated with a shift and a rota pattern on - and soon I will be needing to make appointments on into Jan 08. And its this that finally prompted me to choose a printer and get on with it.

Thanks again everyone - will post how I get on and what I think of it once I have got used and am printing photos and pics - but for - tonight I'm quite happy to have my coloured calendar rota in my hot little hands!!!

Pauline

[Interpreter]

I use an Epson R2400 as most of my printing is done at A3 size. It is a thirsty beast and drinks ink by the bucket full, so I installed a CIS from Media Street. It has reduced my costs considerably. I did a review of the system when I first fitted it. At the bottom of the printer is a sponge pad system for collecting waste ink. This eventually fills up and needs changing. I am told that there is a counter in the printer to tell you when the machine has reached the end of it's days, (I think that this is to do with the sponge pads filling up.) and the printer has to be returned to the manufacturer for refurbishment. There is a bottle system for collecting this excess ink, but I haven't fitted one to my printer.

As to the paper, if you can afford to use OEM paper, good luck to you. I use Photo Paper Direct and buy single sided 260 gramme photo gloss A3 paper in packs of 50 sheets. Two x 50 sheets are cheaper than a single x 100 pack of paper. This gives me very good prints at the standard machine settings. I think that my last bill for 100 sheets of A3 was around £49 including VAT and postage. There may be cheaper papers, but this is of good quality.

My last bill for ink was £120 for 8 x 125ml, plus postage and VAT, less 10% loyalty bonus. This should last me about a month. Judging by the ink usage, I should get away will just buying the first four colours next time. Light Magenta is the quickest to run out, followed by Light Light Black, Light Cyan and Light Black.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Interpreter

I use an Epson R2400 as most of my printing is done at A3 size. It is a thirsty beast and drinks ink by the bucket full, so I installed a CIS from Media Street. It has reduced my costs considerably. I did a review of the system when I first fitted it. At the bottom of the printer is a sponge pad system for collecting waste ink. This eventually fills up and needs changing. I am told that there is a counter in the printer to tell you when the machine has reached the end of it's days, (I think that this is to do with the sponge pads filling up.) and the printer has to be returned to the manufacturer for refurbishment. There is a bottle system for collecting this excess ink, but I haven't fitted one to my printer.

As to the paper, if you can afford to use OEM paper, good luck to you. I use Photo Paper Direct and buy single sided 260 gramme photo gloss A3 paper in packs of 50 sheets. Two x 50 sheets are cheaper than a single x 100 pack of paper. This gives me very good prints at the standard machine settings. I think that my last bill for 100 sheets of A3 was around £49 including VAT and postage. There may be cheaper papers, but this is of good quality.

My last bill for ink was £120 for 8 x 125ml, plus postage and VAT, less 10% loyalty bonus. This should last me about a month. Judging by the ink usage, I should get away will just buying the first four colours next time. Light Magenta is the quickest to run out, followed by Light Light Black, Light Cyan and Light Black.

I'd always wondered where the excess ink went and heard that there was a pad somewhere that needed changing - never did it with the old Epson Photo 700 and it hasn't strictly demised - just damaged but still workable - but not worth it as giving dirty pictures (NO not those sorts of dirty pics!)

Thanks for details tho - I was planning using compatible inks when refills are needed - they used to be very reasonable from 7dayshop.com on Guernsey so will be taking a look at their website soon to see what prices have gone to...

Pauline