Canon -v- Epson Printer Choice: I'm requesting opinions regarding printers. My Epson Stylus Photo 1400 is wearing out. So, in your experience, does it matter between Epson and Canon...

raindog

I'm requesting opinions regarding printers. My Epson Stylus Photo 1400 is wearing out. So, in your experience, does it matter between Epson and Canon when it comes to ink cost overall, nozzle cleaning issues, problems from sitting idle for a couple of weeks? I've never been satisfied with the red colors I got from the Stylus 1400, but always figured it was a user problem. Does one make favor reds?
Thanks.

greymule Loc: Colorado

raindog wrote:

I'm requesting opinions regarding printers. My Epson Stylus Photo 1400 is wearing out. So, in your experience, does it matter between Epson and Canon when it comes to ink cost overall, nozzle cleaning issues, problems from sitting idle for a couple of weeks? I've never been satisfied with the red colors I got from the Stylus 1400, but always figured it was a user problem. Does one make favor reds?
Thanks.

Take a look at the new Canon Printer for ~$1200. 12 inks.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Raindog - You might consider posting this question on UHH's newest section, "Printers and Color Printing". In addition, since this question has arisen frequently, try using the excellent UHH Search feature at the top of this page - you'll find much information there.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

raindog wrote:

I'm requesting opinions regarding printers. ....... So, in your experience, does it matter between Epson and Canon when it comes to ink cost overall, nozzle cleaning issues, problems from sitting idle for a couple of weeks? I've never been satisfied with the red colors .....

I have a Canon Pro-100 that I got because it was cheap a couple years ago. I am happy with ink costs, nozzle cleaning and I let it sit idle a lot. Red is red!

greymule Loc: Colorado

bsprague wrote:

I have a Canon Pro-100 that I got because it was cheap a couple years ago. I am happy with ink costs, nozzle cleaning and I let it sit idle a lot. Red is red!

What do you do to clean the nozzles that you've found effective?

tsilva Loc: Arizona

If you aren't happy with the way colors print (reds in your case), they are probably out of gamut for your profile, ink, paper combination. Suggest you learn about soft proofing and how to use it to get the best colors possible.

As for printers, get the one that best suits your needs. The major brands are all very good. Personally I prefer a printer that has individual ink cartridges so that I only need to change out the empties as they occur. I also prefer using oem inks, ymmv.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

greymule wrote:

What do you do to clean the nozzles that you've found effective?

In the printer driver software, accessible through Windows, are two procedures to clean nozzles.

I've only needed it twice when a print looked a little funny. The last time it was after an error message that said I had not turned off the printer correctly. I suspect that a brief power failure made the printer shut down without the usual shutdown routine that does something to park the nozzles.

After a funny looking print, you print a nozzle check from the driver software. It will show which of two, or both, sets of nozzles are in trouble. Then to use minimum ink, you do a regular cleaning of one or both sets. Follow that with a nozzle check. If still not right, you do a "deep" clean that uses more ink.

Dontrain Loc: Chicago suburb

Before you decide take a look at the new Epson EcoTank models. Instead of individual ink cartridges with and a set of nozzles, the ET has 4 large ink tanks the feed into one set of nozzles. Epson claims huge savings in refill inks. So far only 4 colors.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

As someone else mentioned I also have a Canon Pixma Pro 100 and I just checked on B+H and they are still selling for $149 after rebate. Great 8 cartridge printer for home use. I get great pictures up to 13X19 out of this printer with reasonable ink cost. Fewer problems with head clogging due to dye based vs pigment inks that the Pro 10 and Pro 1 use and also what Epson printers use. The new canon wide format $1200 printer looks good but is cost prohibitive both up front and ink cost for the average user.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The OP has an Epson 1400 to replace.

"Head to head" competitors in that range are the Canon Pixma Pro-100 and the more current Epson Artisan 1430. They are the primary photo specific printers that use dye based ink. All the rest of the photo specific printers use pigment inks and are more expensive. The Epson has six tanks. The Canon has 8 tanks. Both print up to 13"x19". At B&H, one is $289. The other is $150 (after rebate) and comes with 50 sheets of paper.

Menkaure Loc: Michigan

I've had both... For me it's Epson all the way.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Menkaure wrote:

I've had both... For me it's Epson all the way.

It would be fun to see the exact same color and B&W photos printed on about a half dozen photo printers starting with the Epson 1440 and Canon Pro-100 in the dye ink group. In the pigment ink group it would include the Pro-10, the newer Epson P400 and P600.

I know there would be differences, but I'm sure I would like them all.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

raindog wrote:

I'm requesting opinions regarding printers. My Epson Stylus Photo 1400 is wearing out. So, in your experience, does it matter between Epson and Canon when it comes to ink cost overall, nozzle cleaning issues, problems from sitting idle for a couple of weeks? I've never been satisfied with the red colors I got from the Stylus 1400, but always figured it was a user problem. Does one make favor reds?
Thanks.

I use Canon printers but I understand Epson is excellent as well. You probably can't go wrong with either. The only thing to watch for, I'd say, is multi color cartridges or those of separate colors. If the Epson has one cartridge that does color I would recommend against that because once one of the colors runs out you'll have to buy a whole new cartridge where the Canon I have, the 6821, uses five cartridges with a large black for text. One color goes, one cartridge replaced. Good luck.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I have a Canon PIXMA pro 9000 Mk2 that I bought about 5 years ago, and a Canon PIXMA Pro 100 that is 2 years old. They both perform very well and sometimes they sit for months. I turn them on and load paper and away they go. No problems. I have had to do a maintenance on the 9000 a couple times. I know when it is time when the larger paper come out a little crooked. It takes about 10 minutes, then you are ready. I think the 9000 is slightly better for color, but the 100 is great for B+W prints.

picturedude Loc: Yosemite natl. park, Ca.

I have the box the Epson printer came in.

My kids got the printer, I got the box!

HOWEVER... In all fairness, it is a nice sturdy box!