Late Bloomer Loc: Aquilla, Texas

Need help!! Would like to purchase a good photo printer. I have up to $1000. to spend. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Jean

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

if you go to popphoto.com click on their buyers guide, you can read reviews and lab tests of all sorts of gear including printers. I personally like canon printers.

Late Bloomer Loc: Aquilla, Texas

Thanks Sinatraman, buyers guide is just what I need.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

I have an Epson which I really like. It is the 3800PRO model and has given me no trouble for the three years I've owned it. Prints beautifully on all kinds of paper.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Epson 3880

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

You have defined the max dollars but nothing else! Are you going to print "nice" 8 x 10s or posters....??
No reason to buy a supercharged Corvette to go to the 7/11 or even the 9/11 when a normal SUV will do. Better to rent a convertible for a weekend than buy one just for occasional use. Same applies to printers how "good a printer do you need, how often? However if you are a photo pro, then you already know how to define a "good" printer for your use. Big format, lots of expensive ink carts, to little use, all can cause problems is you do not need and use the abilities. Ink heads fall in the "if you do not use it you lose it" category.

I use a $50 Epson 4 color with $45 Continuous Ink Supply, CIS, (12 months of ink and refillable for $20) and get excellent results, but limited to 8.5 wide paper. Won 3rd place in 2011 year long competition at Tampabay Camera Club using that Epson NX305; can't be all that bad. I have a large format Epson Photo Stylus 825 on the shelf, never used... no need at this time.

If you plan to do larger formats, then that is a different story. It may be lower cost even in long run to "perfect" the on the cheap and then send off for "big" format print. Large format paper is expensive so better that the print company make the mistakes and have equipment problems. If you do not do much printing plugging, drying up, of the jet heads may be a problem... how costly is the ink (hidden evil).

Lots of things to consider.... Google "how to pick a printer" and you will find a lot of reading references. For example there is a 10 point list http://www.printercomparison.com/default.asp?newsID=752 .
In this forum you will get a lot of advice, some good some bad. example: Purists hate CIS... all sorts of complaints from the "mom my shoe is untied" skilled people who can't solve simple problems and want to complain,,, the " I tried to drive a nail to hang a picture and the hammer did not work so I hired a skilled cabinet maker!" "Oh, the flat head part, no did not try that." Sorry, forums are filled with non-analytical people... beware of them.

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

The epson 3800! A bit more than you want to spend but worth every penny... and you can print up to 17 x 22. It comes with a full set of ink cartridges, and they last a long time, but be prepared to spend a few bucks when they run out. About $50 per cartridge.

philo Loc: philo, ca

Yes it will depend upon what size you are printing. I have an Epson R1800 and it will print up to 13x19 which I never print.
I purchased a Canon 8220 a few months ago and it will print up to 8 1/2 x 11. This is the size I print 99% of the time. I must say I love this printer. It print out the best prints I have have ever had. The price is way under what you have to spend. Check it out.

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

Also, see if you can find an Epson 1280 it's a darn good printer and very reasonable. Prints to 13 x 17 and the ink is reasonable too.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I pay the same price for 6 canon cartridge as I do for one Epson. (Then are not brand cartridges.

kerbscustom Loc: Valley Center, CA

I've seen some sales on the 4900...getting close to your dollar limit. I replaced my Canon iPF 5000 with one about six months ago. Very happy with the printer and especially happy with the way it conserves ink. And with the built in spectrometer, which allows you to change paper without wasting paper fighting the profiles. Great professional quality printer!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Also Philo comments on the high price of carts.

Philo, your comments are realistic, practical and your printing needs take care of 99% of your and most everone else's needs. Your printer size and cost is not your ego. You speak truth, i salute you.

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

Check Epson.com for prices on refurbs. I got one. Prices are great and it arrived like new

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

I've had two HPs and just bought an Epson on the advice of a friend. The printing from the Epson blew us away! My HP printers were photo printers and there is no comparison. Epson is a great printer...oh, I did not spend a lot of money on mine either.

Wendy2 Loc: California

I have a high end Epson and don't like it. I bought the Canon Pro9000 Mark II and love it. I have heard good things about the Canon Pro9500 too.