PHOTO PRINTERS
Jul 30, 2018 07:24:17 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
wayne barnett wrote:
The price depends on where you purchase paper and ink. That, and how often would 13X19 prints be printed. If you do not have a Costco nearby, home printing may be the best option. When I did my calculations on printing costs for a 13X19 the costs were considerably less than Costco but was told that that Costco was the way we were going to go.
The other point to be considered is the control the end user has over the final product as to image placement, etc.
The other point to be considered is the control the end user has over the final product as to image placement, etc.
Much more satisfuing to do it yuourself.extends your hobby.
Jul 30, 2018 07:28:08 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
pastmaster wrote:
.I WANT TO BUY A GOOD PHOTO PRINTER FOR ABOUT $350?
If you decide to go Canon & can go a little more, check out pro 10 after rebates. Once you get your printing dialed in you do not use as much ink & can print a fair amount of pics from a set of cartridges.
Jul 30, 2018 08:34:29 #
johnst1001a
Loc: West Chester, Ohio
Likewise, I don't see why I would go to the store to get prints when I can do them at home, get immediate results, reprint immediately if I don't like something about the picture, and as has periodically happened, there were no clerks to print the pictures when I got to the store so I would have to go back another time. I tried sending them early via email, but then that is just more time involved. I can simply hit the print button on my keyboard and the picture comes out 12 inches from my keyboard.
Jul 30, 2018 09:31:57 #
If you plan on doing much photo printing at home consider one of the EPSON eco-tank printers https://epson.com/ecotank-super-tank-printers - ink cartridges are the biggest expense for photo printers since they consume much ink due to virtually full page coverage. I think Staples has a sale this week - they are a bit more expensive but you save in the long run (if you plan to print more than 50-100 pages/photos a month). If not (occasional printing of several photos), then go with some of the other suggestions.
Jul 30, 2018 09:46:20 #
I have a Canon Pro-10. After dealer discount and Canon rebate it was $100 out-of-pocket, and came with 100 sheet pack of 13x19 Pro-Luster paper, so was essentially free, full set of 10 ink carts included.
I use Canon ink ONLY. Once tried an off-brand, and clogged my print head.
Print quality is as good as any commercial service that I’ve seen.
I use Canon ink ONLY. Once tried an off-brand, and clogged my print head.
Print quality is as good as any commercial service that I’ve seen.
Jul 30, 2018 10:32:47 #
Check out the Epson Artisan 1430. You can use to print on CD's, has a 13 inch bed and uses 6 cartridges. Secondly, after using the ink that comes with the printer, check out Precision Colors for
reusable cartridges and a load of ink for approx. $100. Ink purchased from discounters still costed $49 delivered. I'm now into my 5th refill (nearly ready for my 6th) so you can see how far ahead, money wise, I am and the pictures printed are, according to others near pro levels.
reusable cartridges and a load of ink for approx. $100. Ink purchased from discounters still costed $49 delivered. I'm now into my 5th refill (nearly ready for my 6th) so you can see how far ahead, money wise, I am and the pictures printed are, according to others near pro levels.
Jul 30, 2018 11:08:42 #
I used a Pro-100 for a year or two. It's a great printer. But then there was a sale on the Pro-10. Aside from how long the prints would last, some people argued that the B&W prints from a Pro-10 were much better.
I was skeptical. Aside from the cost of the printer, ink is definitely more expensive and I did not expect more than minimal improvements. I was wrong.
If you print a lot of B&W, the Pro-10 is, at least to me, noticeably better. Gradations in tonality and dynamic range are greater. The output is more 'creamy' even when you increase the contrast.
On the downside, the Pro-10 is also a little slower than the Pro-100. I am glad that I switched to the Pro-10. I don't think that in terms of print quality, the switch would have been worthwhile if I only did color. But almost half of what I do ends up as B&W so the switch paid for me.
I was skeptical. Aside from the cost of the printer, ink is definitely more expensive and I did not expect more than minimal improvements. I was wrong.
If you print a lot of B&W, the Pro-10 is, at least to me, noticeably better. Gradations in tonality and dynamic range are greater. The output is more 'creamy' even when you increase the contrast.
On the downside, the Pro-10 is also a little slower than the Pro-100. I am glad that I switched to the Pro-10. I don't think that in terms of print quality, the switch would have been worthwhile if I only did color. But almost half of what I do ends up as B&W so the switch paid for me.
Jul 30, 2018 11:42:03 #
photogeneralist wrote:
I've recently been doing research into photo print... (show quote)
Ex-lab guy here... I actually think this is a mature choice! I do print at home, but probably shouldn't, for the same low volume reasons others shouldn't.
The choice of lab vs. printer in home boils down to these things:
CONTROL — Home printing allows instant feedback, so you can get precisely the look you want. However, getting that look REQUIRES proper ICC color management, which REQUIRES monitor calibration and profiling AND proper settings for color management in your OS and software, AND use of the correct printer/paper profiles.
PRIVACY — I don't think I have to explain this one. If you're dealing with images of a confidential or sensitive nature, don't use a lab.
IMAGE PERMANENCE — Pigmented inkjet prints last longer — four to five times longer — than dye-based silver halide wet process traditional photo prints.
COST — Home printing is MUCH more expensive than lab printing. Ink is outrageously expensive. Inkjet paper isn't cheap. While the results MAY be worth it if you're going for perfection and permanence, don't ever think that inkjet printers will save you money!
COLOR MANAGEMENT *will* save you money, whether using a lab or a home printer. If you don't have a color calibration kit from DataColor or X-Rite, get one. It will save you many times its cost if you print very much. The time and aggravation savings it affords are worth it.
Using a lab can be a casual, "I don't care much about color or quality" experience (Costco, or some other super-cheap alternative). OR, it can be a very pleasing, "consistent color and quality" experience. If you want the latter, strike up a relationship with the folks at a good professional color lab. There are still dozens of them around. Most of them allow you to order over the Internet by uploading files to their remote order entry system. Work with them closely to get their file specifications, and to make tests. A few I trust: WHCC, Bay Photo, Nations Photo Lab, Millers and mPix (same company, different marketing), H&H, and UPILab (United Promotions). Google 'professional photo labs' and you'll get a list. There may be a closer alternative than one of these. Adoramapix and Shutterfly are a tier below, on a par with mPix.
Again, as an ex lab guy who set up digital imaging workflow in a pro portrait lab, my very best advice is to calibrate and profile your (desktop) monitor using a colorimeter and software kit. THEN, choose a lab or a printer.
Jul 30, 2018 12:03:57 #
Jul 30, 2018 12:36:32 #
wayne barnett wrote:
The price depends on where you purchase paper and ink. That, and how often would 13X19 prints be printed. If you do not have a Costco nearby, home printing may be the best option. When I did my calculations on printing costs for a 13X19 the costs were considerably less than Costco but was told that that Costco was the way we were going to go.
The other point to be considered is the control the end user has over the final product as to image placement, etc.
The other point to be considered is the control the end user has over the final product as to image placement, etc.
You will also enjoy printing your own photos, it gives you complete control over your photography from composition to the final framed print. I sometime go a couple of months between printing on my Canon Pro-100 without ever having a clogged print head. I also only use Canon Ink, and when I order 3 or more cartridges direct from Canon they send a bunch of free photo paper with the cartridges, usually a couple of hundred dollars worth. Great printer.
Jul 30, 2018 13:33:21 #
Jul 30, 2018 13:50:21 #
Jul 30, 2018 13:53:48 #
Here is a good paper from Red River Paper on the cost of printing from a Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer. http://www.redrivercatalog.com/cost-of-inkjet-printing-canon-pro-100.html I have a pixma pro-10 and have never had an issued with the print heads clogging and I don't print every two weeks. However, I don't go 6 months without printing either. Also I would highly recommend Red River Paper. I use it exclusively and have had no issues with it. I like being able to control the printing, especially since I do craft/art shows, I can print something the night before and have it for sale the next day. Also, when I buy ink, it's like $15/cartridge individually, but like $135 for a 10 Pk, which is what the pixma pro 10 takes.
Jul 30, 2018 15:03:36 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
TonyBot wrote:
Pro 100 great! Lots of satisfied customers.
After rebate, about $120.00. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893738-REG/Canon_6228b002_Pixma_Pro_100_Photo_Inkjet.html
After rebate, about $120.00. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893738-REG/Canon_6228b002_Pixma_Pro_100_Photo_Inkjet.html
This is a good deal for a wide format (13"), 8-color printer. It comes with a set of inks and usually a pack of 50 sheets of 13x19" paper.
The inks that ship with the printer are a "starter set".... half full. So figure on needing another set pretty quickly. A full set currently is selling for $125. I ordered a set when they were on sale for a little less, along with the printer, in order to have them on hand right away.
Another expense you should consider if you plan very much printing is a calibration device, if you don't already have one. Most computer monitors are waaaaayyy too bright and don't render color all that accurately. This causes you to mis-adjust your images for printing.... and you end up wasting a lot of ink and paper. Calibration solves this to a large degree. There will always be some difference between a monitor with its backlighting versus viewing an image reflectively on paper.... but calibration minimizes this and eventually a device and its software will pay for itself in savings of wasted ink & paper.
Jul 30, 2018 16:13:18 #
Canon Pro 100 is terrific. On occasion, a print may come out a bit darker than the monitor, but it is rare. I have begun printing on Red River Paper. It is the best I have ever used and not too expensive, although the Canon paper is also an excellent product. I prefer the Canon ink but have used LD refills with good results. I have never had a print head clog. You just can't beat it for its price. The only drawback is that the driver does not have an 11x14 size. The printer can be fooled however and it produces perfect results. Had an Epson several years ago and it was also very good, but the Canon is simply better.
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