mrwed

Any ideas on these printers ? I've used Epson for a long time but ink has become very expensive & seemingly empty. I print 8x10 and 13x19 color often and, it seems I can get only a few before I need more (expensive) ink. These are 2 in my price range. Do I need to go higher ? My experience with off-brand inks is disastrous.

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Have Canon pro-100 fantastic printer but still pretty pricey on inks

But you pay for quality, I would not change

BillH Loc: Lancaster County PA

I have them both. You can't go wrong with either one. I do not print many 13x19 but plenty 8x10 and the ink seems to last well. Haven't printed much in the last couple of month so ran a print job on each one and had no problems

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I've had the Epson Artisan 1430 for a couple of years now, and I'm quite happy with it.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I have an old Epson 1440 (very old), I don't know if there are any smlilarities there with an Epson 1430. For many years now, I use an Epson 3880 pro and I'm more than happy with it (that includes the cost and usage of ink). I did use a friends printer for a while (while I was in that area) a Canon Pro I. And I really liked it, the prints came out wonderful, but the ink usage seemed very high (mostly according to him). The prints of my Epson are better than of his printer, especially B&W prints and the ink usage is well better too. I don't use third party inks,I have refilled my Epson3880 four times so far and I have silch complaines about inks, ink prices, or anything related to that printer!!

jcboy3

Canon was running a rebate. Go to B & H and with discount and rebate you can get the printer and a box of 13x19 paper for $50.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

This is the same deal I used last year to acquire my Canon PIXMA Pro-100.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I have both an Epson photo printer and a Canon PRO 9000 Mark II. Both make excellent prints on glossy photo paper. Neither one has "cheap" ink tanks. Since I never print a lot of glossy photos at one time, I am unable to tell which one gives the most photos for the least ink cost. But my Canon printer will print many enlargements (8x10, 8x12, and up to 12x18) without having to change cartridges; maybe the Epson will, too, but I usually use the Canon for such prints, because it is closer to my desk than the Epson--I only have to swivel my chair to get prints from the Canon, but I have to get up and walk across the office to get prints from the Epson.

willaim Loc: Sunny Southern California

I bought the Canon Pro 100 a few years ago and am very happy with it. Mostly make 8X10, but have made larger prints up to 13X19. I think the prints come out great. I, also use Canon paper and of cause Canon ink. Off brand inks are disastrous. Learned that with an older Canon printer. Never used an Epson printer and their inks are very expensive. Good luck in whatever you choose.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

I love my Canon Pixma Pro-100. Staples has the ink in boxes of 8 cartridges at the stores. When I only need one color I have to order online. That said, I've saved money with Staples coupons and other savings I can't think of the name now. Pretty pleased with quantity I get from cartridges. Just printed over 50 4x6's last night and still have plenty left.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

These are dye-based inkjet printers. Max print life before fading is around 25-40 years under glass or in dark storage. If you want archival quality prints (80 to 250 year print life, depending upon the paper or substrate printed on), get a pigment-based inkjet printer. Any Epson with Ultrachrome type ink would be my pick.

The larger the ink tank on your printer, the less expense you will have for ink. If you decide to go with an Epson 1430, there are third party add-ons for external bulk ink feeding systems. If you run a LOT of prints, say, for a camera club, having one of those might be worth it. The inks that are available for these systems are fine replacements for Epson cartridge inks. It's those factory ink tank reloads you have had disastrous results with, right? They're not even very good for office printers!

Dye inks are said to reproduce slightly brighter colors than pigment inks, because the light shines through the ink, bounces off the paper beneath, and comes back through the ink. However, properly calibrated and profiled pigment-based systems do a fine PROFESSIONAL job. Many museums (MOMA for one) and high end portrait photographers use Epson Ultrachrome inks and papers in their high end printers.

For the very best results, you need a fully calibrated and profiled system (white balanced camera, proper working color space, proper monitor calibration, properly calibrated printer, and a profile for every paper you print).

No professional at the high end of the market will use a dye-ink printer, because of the longevity issue. We don't want folks coming back to us in a few years saying, "Your print faded! Replace it!" (That happened quite often with early silver halide color papers from Agfa, Kodak, and others.)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I think, just a guess, that ALL printers are using about the same amount of ink to make the same print.
If your printer has a quality setting, try using one grade down. I do that with my bigger Canon and I frankly, can't tell the difference.
The ink savings comes in when you get bigger and bigger ink cartridges on bigger and bigger printers and the cost per ml goes down but the usage is probably the same! So it's not so much a matter of ink usage as ink cost. Just guessing.
Also, if you shoot with Canon gear, keep in mind that some printers count toward you CPS points! That can make a difference if you're a CPS member. ;-)
SS

paccmps

Canon pro 1 user and love it ! Primarily got a shock and called Canon help ! We updated the firmware and ink usage is now at a much better usage to date ! Although the cost is much better it still is a little pricey but the quality is great in my opinion !!

JimKing Loc: Salisbury, Maryland USA

I have the 1430. Ink seems to last pretty well. I recently read that Epson is coming out with more expensive printers with cheaper ink but haven't seen any more.

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

If you don't need a printer right know I would hold off for a while Epson just came out with a new printer that does not use ink cartridges they are going to use refillable ink tanks.