Best pro quality printers
May 15, 2014 09:12:52 #
May 15, 2014 09:34:16 #
bluedong wrote:
Any advice on the best professional quality ink jet printers for less than
$2000?
$2000?
The Canon Pixma Pro 1. I have the 9500 Mk II and it makes amazing prints. The Pro 1 improves on that in the following ways;
1. More than 60% more nozzles in the print head (12,228 compared to 7680).
2. Twelve pigment based inks including 5 monochrome for superior B & W prints.
3. Much larger ink tanks (36 ml instead of 14 ml) helps keep print costs reasonable.
4. Ethernet capability for network printing.
5. Prints directly on printable CDs & DVDs.
The only drawback might be its size and weight. It is huge and weighs about 60 pounds.
May 15, 2014 11:27:38 #
bluedong wrote:
Any advice on the best professional quality ink jet printers for less than
$2000?
$2000?
Given the budget you mention, and your use of "professional quality", I'm assuming you are possibly asking about a larger format printer than most of the table-top models the majority of people use. If so, it would be helpful to know more about what size prints you are interested in making.
I have seen the Canon proGraf5100, a 17 inch, 12 ink printer for $1600 recently. I haven't checked all options, but the proGraf 6400 24 inch, 12 ink should be right around your budget if you can find one with a Canon rebate.
Can't speak to similar Epson models as I have not used them, but will attest to these Canon models as being excellent.
May 15, 2014 12:08:04 #
bluedong wrote:
Any advice on the best professional quality ink jet printers for less than
$2000?
$2000?
Epson 3880 17 inch wide. pass through feed for cardboard etc.
9 cartridges, multi blacks for B+W prints
May 16, 2014 07:33:36 #
BigWahoo wrote:
Epson 3880 17 inch wide. pass through feed for cardboard etc.
9 cartridges, multi blacks for B+W prints
9 cartridges, multi blacks for B+W prints
2nd
May 16, 2014 07:51:49 #
I've been using the Epson 3880 in class at the International Center of Photography. Printed as large as 17x22 with terrific results.
May 16, 2014 08:27:28 #
You might want to look at cost of ownership over a 2 year period - I owned a 9500 Pixma and upgraded to an Epson 4880. I did love the image quality, but with the change, ink costs dropped considerably and I still got excellent prints. While the 220ml carts have a high initial cost, they do last a while.
May 16, 2014 08:31:23 #
bluedong wrote:
Any advice on the best professional quality ink jet printers for less than
$2000?
$2000?
I love my Canon Pixma Pro 100. $500 printer I got for $100 after huge rebate before the holidays. Every print from it has been gorgeous. It is quite large and heavy though. Prints up to 13x19. Awesome for low light images because it has black, grey and light grey cartridges - 8 in all.
May 16, 2014 09:26:19 #
I agree with donnahde. I have the canon PIXMA pro 100 and an older canon PIXMA 9000 MK II. The 100 is better for B+W prints and are pretty equal for color prints. The 9000 might have a slight edge in this area. If I were buying today I would go with the pro 100.
May 16, 2014 09:49:09 #
PhotoPhred wrote:
I agree with donnahde. I have the canon PIXMA pro 100 and an older canon PIXMA 9000 MK II. The 100 is better for B+W prints and are pretty equal for color prints. The 9000 might have a slight edge in this area. If I were buying today I would go with the pro 100.
Yes, black and white are great but I was talking about low light color imges - ie a shot of sunflowers at sunset that would not have printed right at Costco (for example). I've also done boudoir for African Americans in low light. This printer is my only option for great prints like that without creating unnatural skin tone.
May 16, 2014 12:34:27 #
rfmaude41
Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
bluedong wrote:
Any advice on the best professional quality ink jet printers for less than
$2000?
$2000?
Epson Stylus Pro 4900 17" Printer $1795 and additionally a $150 mail in rebate
May 16, 2014 12:56:42 #
Canon. Never had the really big Canons but the Pro9000 that I had was absolutely excellent. It is not in the category you are searching, but indicative. I've had several smaller Canon and Epson photo printers. Both great but the Canon seemed more reliable. The Pro 1 is around $1500 list and a great printer, but limited to 13x19. Probably not what you want.
May 16, 2014 13:01:55 #
B&H posted a video on this topic, I think last week. Specific to Canon, but useful information. It is about 1hour and 40 minutes of a class covering calibration through printing.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/videos/watch/from-shot-to-print:-creating-the-ideal-digital-imaging-workflow/3528063145001
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/videos/watch/from-shot-to-print:-creating-the-ideal-digital-imaging-workflow/3528063145001
May 16, 2014 16:09:05 #
I have a canon pro 100 and love it. It has taken my images up about two steps.
Only downside is that the ink cost is really high, about $17 per cart. and it has eight.
I have been looking for a Ciss and there is none available. Love the printer.
Only downside is that the ink cost is really high, about $17 per cart. and it has eight.
I have been looking for a Ciss and there is none available. Love the printer.
May 16, 2014 16:58:41 #
bluedong wrote:
Any advice on the best professional quality ink jet printers for less than
$2000?
$2000?
Blue, photoJim has the 24". I have the smaller 17" prograf 5000(older model).
Blue, unless Epson has updated its latest printers, you can't alternately use matte papers(art papers) and semigloss/pearl/gloss papers without completely draining the black ink lines, which is very wasteful. The Epsons do a good job, but they are no better and have less inks. I routinely use Epson 3800, 3880's and the 24" models at school.
My Canon is more versatile.
If you shoot with a Canon, it's even a better seamless system, as you can print directly from raw or tiff's, as well as other formats. Good luck. ;-)
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