SteveTog Loc: Philly

I'm hoping someone here has put some thought into buying mid range photo printer recently.

In the past, I have always sent my print jobs out, but now I'd like to do occasional prints - larger than 8x10, but not huge - and I have been bewildered by all of the printers out there by Canon and Epson, whom I believe are the be best options out there right now. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Since I will only be printing only a few times a month, and I'm not interested in a super wide format, roll fed printer that costs over $1,000 - unless I decide I love printing and want to sell my prints. But I would like something that produces decent enough quality to show, hang on my walls, and put in a portfolio.

Ink costs are important, but not huge because... 'low volume printing.' Ease of use is important, wireless is nice, printing on CDs is not at all important, very good print quality is very important, but world class print quality is not.

The old Epson P600/P800 series would have been great but they were a bit too pricey. Again, this is my first stab at serious printing. I would consider them more high volume printers if I was doing art shows and selling the work - I think I'm looking for the next tier down. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I shoot many genres, from vivid macro to high contrast black and white, so the printer has to be a 'generalist' that way.

If anyone has recommendations based on real world experience with current printers, I'd love to hear your observations. Thanks!

bwilliams

I like my Epson XP-970 it prints very good quality prints I have not had a clog and has a smaller footprint than the Cannon pro 100.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

There was a long printer thread recently that I should have kept tract of with lots of suggestions. If you find that recent link let me know.
I'm also looking for printer with good quality 11x14 tops and possible smaller 8x10 mostly (11/2x8).
Any wall hangers I'll send out for printing and mount board.
I'm open for suggestions prefer
$300-500 tops.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have a Canon TR8520.
It works, it's nice.
I don't print a ton.
Prints up to 8x12.
Costco does 95+% of my printing.
(The FAX and scanner have come in handy also.)

tcthome Loc: NJ

Epson XP 15000 or the Canon TS8320

lehighjack Loc: somewhere in FL

For a decent low priced large format PHOTO PRINTER Canon me sled this model:

Canon PIXMA iP8720 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer
$249.99
Canon
You may order from Canon and get sometimes lotsa free paper, or wherever. It goes in and out of stock, so check it out. I have one at my office as nd I print copies of our weekly real estate ads to place in our windows. Very frugal with ink. I printed over thirty full res color sheets (13x19 semi gloss) with it so far and all cartridges are original except magenta. It has a photo gray that helps your glossy BW pop. Not as good as the PRO 100, but faster and a lot cheaper.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I have an Epson xp 620 which I am very pleased with

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I use an Epson P800 and the make a couple of smaller P versions as well. Best of luck.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I have found that Canon and Epson are the better photo choices. I also have an everyday printer. I am using a Samsung B&W printer for all but my prints (cheeper). For prints I found a printer with 10 or 12 inks gave me better results than the ones with 3 or4.
You will behold all about non original equipment ink and how great they are and CHEEP. The print is the culmination of all you work and the showpiece of you, so why not her sure the red or green is proper match for the manufactures color mix program.

k2edm Loc: FN32AD

I just bought an epson st-4000. works fine and solves the cost of ink problem also. color photos print just great, $499. also auto-feed scans and faxes You might want to look into it. Ed

Billy Bob 2 Loc: Marengo IN

Look at a Canon1000.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

I too use Costco for most of my prints because if I have a photo inkjet printer I don't print enough not to worry about clogged heads (esp with Epson). The Canon Pro 100 has been the choice on this maillist for quite a while because Canon was discounting the heck out of it at the end of last year THEN they retired it. The Pro 200 and 300 replaced it but without the discounts.

Canon just released a Pixma printer with 5 tanks (not cartridges) so the cost will be quite a bit better but you have to ask if a 5 color printer is enough for you.

hrblaine

[quote=Picture Taker] For prints I found a printer with 10 or 12 inks gave me better results than the ones with 3 or4.

Really?? Who could believe it? Are you sure all those inks don't just get in each others way? Maybe a 6 ink as a compromise? Harry (sarcasm font ON <g>)

Henlopen Loc: Lewes, Delaware

I have the Canon iP8720 printer, and have been happy with the quality of the printer and it's output. Using LD inks - high yield with the chip and not experiencing any problems so far. OEM inks are absurdly high.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

"hrblaine" No I have a Canon Pro 1000 with 12 inks and it does fine had an Epson (great printer)but the Canon is better. We all do what we think is better, that makes us all different even when we shoot the same thing.
I just feel after spending thousands of dollars on the camera set up in my hand and travel time and money on a picture. I might print the best print, with the best printer (and original ink) to show my product.
If a picture was to take 1/1,000 of a liter of ink and I had 3 cartridges of ink or 12 cartridges of ink, Would have still used the same 1/1,000 of a liter out of 1 or 12 cartridges so my replacement costs are the same.