Printer recommendation
I did a search on printers, but there were no articles labeled printers that were new enough to be of any use. My HP 750 All-in-One Printer has bit the dust. I am looking for another printer that prints 8 1/2 x 11 as well as 4x6 photos. Can I get some pros and cons for different printers? I would prefer to get something for less than $400, but might go over that for the right printer. Also, I have limited space in which to put the printer, so that is a big consideration.
Good printers are large. So you can pick one. Large and good or small and not so good.
I like the Canon Pixma Pro100. It is large, but wireless, and prints everything from small to 17x13 photos. Ink is cheap from eBay. I've used this ink many times and it's fine. The OEM ink is rather expensive.
I have an Epson XP400. Which does quite well on 8 1/2X11 as well as 4X6's. I also have an Epson Artisan 1430 winch prints up 16X20 using six different inks. Te Xp400 is quite old and I believe it was just over 100 dollars. Check out their web site for better information. If you want to stay with HP go to their web site. I am sure their web sites will help you make up your mind. Happy shooting.
The Canon Pixma Pro-100 is a real workhorse.
I guess some responders missed the part about size. Yes, the Pixma Pro 100 is a good printer, for photo prints only, but it is the exact same size as the Pixma Pro 10 and that is a fairly large printer. I have both. I also have a Canon TS-9020 printer that produces excellent quality 8.5 X 11 and down color and black and white photo prints. It may be used hard wired or wireless. You may print directly from certain cameras to the printer wirelessly. The ink cartridges are not outrageously expensive. The printer has a very small footprint and Canon currently has them on sale for $150 and, they come in at least three different colors, black, white and red. Who would want a red printer!?
What it has going for it is size, cost and high quality prints and it does a pretty good job on plain paper documents also.
You usually can get the Canon Pro-100 on sale with final cost usually $130 after a $250 rebate. In fact, when I bought mine, it also came with free paper and actual cost of $29
You can find all kinds of great printers for less than $400. The manufacturers get you on the back end on ink, as you probably already know. Unmentioned in your post is what you use the printer for, since you are replacing an all-in-one. Pixma Pro series is great as long as you have the space (which it sounds like you may not), and understand it is JUST for printing photos. If you want a scanner, or to load it up with copy paper for everyday printing, you need something else--either entirely, or in addition. If quality photo printing is what you want, then look at printers dedicated to that task--with the idea that you would never run anything other than photo paper through it. At $400, you might well be able to obtain two different quality devices. Also, you may be able to rethink your "limited space" requirement, since most printers are wireless, they don't have to be in the same room anymore.
Canon pro 100 does a great job and is in your price range. However they stick it to you on the ink.There are non canon inks that are cheaper but I don't have any experience with them.
I never thought of it, but I agree with Jeep. Large + good, or small + not so good. Just reading specs, that does appear to be the trend.
Are you printing only photos? Or do you also use your printer for standard stuff? If so, you might look at one of the smaller Canon models. I have one that's over 5 years old. My 100 is struggling all of a sudden, so I went back to printing small prints on my small Canon. They're perfect. I don't remember how much it cost, and the price of their ink for this model just almost doubled. But it still prints well.
NJLen
Loc: Freehold, NJ, USA
Please provide a link to the ebay ink that has worked well.
CPR
Loc: Nature Coast of Florida
What do you want to do with the printed pages? Are you looking to print photos to frame and sell or just make copies of a photo for casual use. If casual use an Epson All-In-One with photo paper will surprise you with the quality of prints and costs about 100 bucks.
Look on Craigslist for a Canon Pro-100. Canon had some deals out there and many got the printers along with a camera, so a lot of people sell the printer. I bought mine brand new in a box for $150. The quality is fantastic. Yes ink is expensive. You can by a refill set from Precision Ink.
http://www.precisioncolors.com/PC42.html I have used their ink for a while and it works great. they also have icc profiles for the Pro 100 printer on their web site. Lots of good information on their web site.
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