Where can I get a comparative of these printers?
Especially for 4 by 6
I can only speak on my behalf. I have an Epson Stylus Claria 1400. Paper and ink are both very expensive, especially the inks. If I take my files to a near by Costco I get 12x18 gorgeous prints for $3.
I do not use my printer enough to justify the expense. The prints made in regular color printing paper (I use Fuji glossy at Costco) in my humble opinion are superior to what I get with my home printer...and cheaper.
Check with Costco. I do not know if Sam Club still make prints. Both places offer very good quality at reasonable prices.
Each manufacturer makes 100's of different printers. There is more cost variability across printer models than there is by manufacturer. So to compare costs, you will need to look at specific printer models. You can google around but I don't think you'll find much useful information.
Red River Paper has done their own tests on several Epson and Canon printers. Their cost for JUST the ink ranges from 13 to 34 cents for a 6x4 print. Your costs will probably be higher since most printers waste ink every time you turn them off and back on. You also have to add in the cost of the paper and some fraction of the printer cost based on how many lifetime prints you think you'll get.
http://www.redrivercatalog.com/cost-of-inkjet-printing.htmlBottom line: If print cost is a major factor, don't do your own printing. You'll save money by using a local discounter like Walgreens or Costco.
cony25 wrote:
Where can I get a comparative of these printers? Especially for 4 by 6
I'm getting great satisfaction from printing on an epson 800 printer. I never really understood sharpening and other Lightroom sliders until I started making my own 17 by 22 inch prints. My only limitation now is wall space
cony25 wrote:
Where can I get a comparative of these printers?
Especially for 4 by 6
I own a Epson R3000, that I no longer use. The last time I tried, the ink had dried up. I have all my prints done by Costco, which is far less costly than printing my own. They are always ready next day for paper prints and in store pickup. Canvas and metal take longer. Even prints delivered to me or my clients by Costco is cheaper than I can print. Very good quality and 100% guaranteed.
When I used my printer a lot it cost an average of about one dollar per print. Ink and paper are way too expensive for one offs.
It will always be more expensive to print your own, but the satisfaction of producing the final print is, well, priceless. I liken the experience to seeing the print come to life on the developer tray in my darkroom days.
Couldn't agree more. Priceless
Archiefamous wrote:
Couldn't agree more. Priceless
Then there is that!!!Priceless...
blue-ultra wrote:
Then there is that!!!Priceless...
Yes, and with CIS the Price is Less
For abut $100 you can get the CIS system and 100ml of ink. Lots of negative myths like will fade... they all will ... won't last 100 years neither will you ... color is off, perhaps but that is why there are adjustment sliders....
With my previous system i figured that I saved $2000 over a 5 year period. Printer failed....found out too late it was the waste ink sponge. Just installed one on my Epson XP-950 which has been in storage for a very long time... no problem at all ... color excellent.
www.cisinks.com
LarryN
Loc: Portland OR & Carbondale, CO
I suspect that the majority of photographers who are serious about printing are more concerned with quality rather than price/print. If print/print is the main concern then I believe the best bet is Costco, CVS, Rite-Aid, etc. Having justified the cost of a high end printer myself, cost/print doesn't enter into my mind. Only quality of the print matters to me. I'm an amateur photographer but I love producing high quality prints of my photos typically 8x10 up to 17x22". But if you want to do your own printing and price/print is important then it should still be a comparison of price/print compared to quality.
I think you are correct. I would continue to print at home regardless of the cost if the prints are to my liking. Seeing the process from start to finish is where it's at for me.
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