- Printer recommendations
- Posted by Perdita X. Dream on July 23rd, 2003
My loyal friend, my ESC900 is finally on its last legs after, what, 7 years
good and faithful service (I bought it when they were new). Print quality is
declining (even after a good Windolening!) and every printed page is covered
in black specks (rather like a poor photocopy). My father prints a lot of
golf club correspondence, on headed stationery, and it isn't giving a very
good impression (in both senses!) Can anyone recommend a good all-round
printer (yes, I know jack-of-all-trades...).
Here are my requirements
Clear, crisp text.
Accurate colour reproduction (for both graphics and photographs)
Decent photo reproduction (on both plain paper and coated)
Fairly fast text speeds (the 900 is nippy even in 'Fine' mode - I'm not too
bothered about fast colour printing speeds, I'd much rather have a good,
clean, accurately produced print).
As for the cost well, I'm not made of money (and I know I can shop around)
but roughly £200 all-in. I was toying with the idea of getting an A3 but,
for the amount of A3 prints I do in a year, it's probably not worth it
(though I may do more if I had one...)
Thanks for any, and all, suggestions. I've been loyal to Epson, since my
first inkjet, but would obviously consider other manufacturers, though I've
had bad experiences with Canon and HP, which is why I keep returning to
Epson!
--
Perdita X. Dream
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- Posted by Ron Martell on July 23rd, 2003
"Perdita X. Dream" <perditax@gmx.net> wrote:
My personal opinion is that there are 2 kinds of printers made today -
HP and crap.
In my business I provide on-site warranty service (at my expense) for
PCs and the accessories that I sell with that PC. For the past 8
years I have had a policy that if a customer wants a Canon, Epson, or
Lexmark printer with their PC then the warranty is amended so that the
printer is *excluded* from my on-site warranty service. Factory
warranty only. Couldn't afford to operate otherwise.
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
- Posted by Taliesyn on July 23rd, 2003
Perdita X. Dream wrote:
[clipped]
Canon i850 (Quite laser-like)
Canon i850
Canon i850 (on glossy it's a match lab photo prints!)
Canon i850 (unique feeding system feeds next sheet to be printed before
previous sheet has fully exited!
Canon i850
Canon i850
Without a doubt one of the most recommended printers in this newsgroup.
The other being the more expensive Canon i950 photo printer.
I refill my own and run it for pennies.
-Taliesyn
- Posted by Wayne on July 23rd, 2003
I think that most HP and Lexmark printers are rubbish (high running
costs, poor output, etc.). They don't compare to the overall quality
of Epsons or Canons.
- Posted by GB on July 23rd, 2003
Yea, HP are the IBM of lasers, but never inkjets.
i.e.: In the past if you bought genuine IBM PCs for your company your job was secure. Now if you
buy a genuine IBM PC your a clown. I guess there are still great HP lasers, but there are also
other good ones on the market now.
I've never seen as many printer failures as the DeskJet 670.
I bought the i850
"Dave Weller" <nospam_davew@ieee.com> wrote in message
news:bfn3rc$fta62$1@ID-199997.news.uni-berlin.de...
- Posted by Taliesyn on July 23rd, 2003
Wayne wrote:
I chose the i850 over the i950 because it had about the same
photo printing output as the i950 (if you didn't look with a
magnifying glass), and was priced much cheaper - $229 versus
#399 ($CDN). In Canada, as you see, the price difference is almost
double for the i950, but the quality of its printouts isn't.
Too many hassles with Epsons to even consider them. Don't like
HP for a multitude of reasons, beginning with its stupid front paper
loading system.
-Taliesyn
- Posted by Perdita X. Dream on July 24th, 2003
Bill wrote:
OK, I will definitely look into the i850/950. Just one further question,
what is the longevity of photographic prints? Say I printed something that I
wanted to frame (as opposed to sticking it in an album) and it was on the
mantlepiece in my living room which receives quite a bit of sun. How long
would that print last before it began to fade or the colours began to
change?
Thanks
--
Perdita X. Dream
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- Posted by Ron Cohen on July 24th, 2003
Excellent paper. Red River is available from Red River Paper in Dallas, TX.
Fast and reasonable shipping. Their web site also has longevity studies.
http://www.redrivercatalog.com
--
Ron Cohen
drc023@ivwnet.com
"Dave Weller" <nospam_davew@ieee.com> wrote in message
news:bfnane$gidp7$1@ID-199997.news.uni-berlin.de...
- Posted by Don Davis on July 24th, 2003
Perdita,
I can't imagine no one has mentioned an Epson C82. It seems ideal for
your application. It uses pigmented ink that is just about water proof and
last for 90 years in ideal conditions and with the right kind of paper, but
on plain paper, it will still last longer than any other printer's output.
I've had photos on the refrigerator for a year with no change at all.
The price is way down now with store and manufacturer's rebates.In some
cases as low as 25 USD
The ink cost per print is one of the lowest of any out there. It uses
separate cartridges for three colors and black. Compatible cartridges that
produce very good results are available on line.I've had mine since Dec 2002
and have to use the head cleaning routine.three times, even though I've been
compatible ink cartridges.
The text is laser-like and is among the fastest.
Photos prints are great using matte paper and are better than, probably,
any other printer on the market on regular paper.
I'm sure the Canon i850 & i950 are very good printers, but I think the
C82 should be considered.
Good luck.
Don D
"Ron Cohen" <drc023@ivwnet.com> wrote in message
news:bfnjll$3rs$1@news.chatlink.com...
- Posted by Dave Weller on July 24th, 2003
all my pictures printed on Canon photo pro paper are now in a dark room.
Very convenient !
- Posted by Perdita X. Dream on July 24th, 2003
Dave Weller wrote:
Thanks for the recommendation re Red River paper but, as I'm in the UK, it's
not very helpful (I know I didn't state my location, but the £ should have
been a big clue!
))
There is one last point I neglected to mention - does it handle banner
paper? I print panoramics (10x4) and, as they don't appear to sell cut paper
of that size, I've been using 4" banner paper in my 895. Will either the
i850 or 950 handle this? This is what was attracting me to the ESP950/2100
the fact it could a) handle banner paper and b) the fact it had a built in
'guillotine'.
So, does anyone have any UK paper recommendations and can I use banner
paper?
Ta muchly.
--
Perdita X. Dream
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- Posted by Wayne on July 24th, 2003
"Dave Weller" <nospam_davew@ieee.com> wrote in message news:<bfnane$gidp7$1@ID-199997.news.uni-berlin.de>...
Which Canon paper? Obviously not Photo Pro (pr-101) or photo plus glossy (pp-101).
- Posted by Wayne on July 24th, 2003
"Dave Weller" <nospam_davew@ieee.com> wrote in message news:<bfnane$gidp7$1@ID-199997.news.uni-berlin.de>...
Which Canon paper? Obviously not Photo Pro (pr-101) or photo plus glossy (pp-101).
in terms of fading - not
- Posted by Dave Weller on July 24th, 2003
yeah the "Photo Paper Pro"
- Posted by Jerry Schwartz on July 24th, 2003
That's a challenge even for a photograph. I would burn a copy to CD, so you
can reprint it.
--
Jerry Schwartz
FidoNet 1:142/928
http://www.writebynight.com
"Perdita X. Dream" <perditax@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:bfn9v8$hq3$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
- Posted by Larry on July 25th, 2003
Sounds like a Canon i850 candidate to me!
-Larry
"Perdita X. Dream" <perditax@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:bflpko$dq6$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
- Posted by Larry on July 25th, 2003
No thanks on the Epson. My days of head clogs are over!
Larry
"Wayne" <wayne123@o2.pl> wrote in message
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- Posted by Larry on July 25th, 2003
www.redriverpaper.com
-Larry
"Dave Weller" <nospam_davew@ieee.com> wrote in message
news:bfnane$gidp7$1@ID-199997.news.uni-berlin.de...
- Posted by Larry on July 25th, 2003
I've printed hundreds of 8.5 X 11's and not a one of them has faded. Both
on Canon Photo Paper Pro or RedRiver Polar Gloss.
-Larry
"Wayne" <wayne123@o2.pl> wrote in message
news:44f6873.0307240537.6534f51a@posting.google.co m...
- Posted by Dave Weller on July 25th, 2003
read carefully the post, he said " in my living room which receives quite a
bit of sun".
Take your picture and put it in direct sunlight and You will see them
turning yellow (many others experienced this btw).
I dont give them 10 days of sunlight before they go yellow/orange...
Strangely , other less expensives papers doesnt have that problem.
Canon photo paper pro is only good for albums or dark rooms