robbygb Loc: UK

I'm looking to buy a decent photo printer that will give me good quality pictures at a reasonable running cost (inks) without the copying, scanning and fax facility and being able to print up to A4 size and down to 4x6" bearing in mind that I am only a beginner but would like quality prints.
What would you experienced photographers recommend?

robbygb

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

Lexmark are nice but they announced today that they are going to stop making printers so I would go with Epson or HP.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Epson is the way to go. Most here on UHH will agree.

maccardi Loc: Western New York

I use a Canon Pro9000 MkII, makes beautiful prints and prints sizes up to 13x19.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I would suggest looking at Kodak printers. They are still in the printer and ink business. I really like what I can do with mine!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Ditto--- long life from the cartridges

Hando Rei Loc: Long Island New York

Budget determines everything ! How much you want to spend will determine the printer you will be able to buy . How many prints do you do ? What size do you normally print ? What quality are you looking for ? ...so many variables. Many will recommend the printer they are using because they started with it...there are some very good printers out there but there are many factors to consider. Printers are relatively inexpensive...they get you on the INK. Check printers at camera store ...look at sample prints and look into your pocketbook and make a decision. Good luck.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I use the Canon Pro9000. Think it is a great printer except for one thing - the ink. Goes quickly and is expensive

stantall35 Loc: Wellington ON

I have found the HP photosmart 6280 to give execellent prints and uses reasonable ink tanks about $10 per cartage and the ink is a polymer base instead of a die base like most ink jet printers.

kbarnes42 Loc: North Carolina

I prefer the Epson. I presently use a R2880, but would like to have either the R3000 of R3800. I don't usually print larger than 13 wide, therefore I don't need the 3800. Epson feeds from back to front so the paper stays flat which is my preference.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Just upgraded from an Epson 2200 to the new Epson R3000. Couldn't be happier!

beverett Loc: los angeles

I have seen good prints from all the printers mentioned in this discussion. Depending on how you will use the prints, an important consideration may be whether to go with dye or with pigment inks.

Pigment is believed to be longer lasting and is water resistant. Some people believe dye prints have better color. I use three printers: An Epson 3800 (pigment) for prints that I offer for sale as archival artwork; a Canon Pro 9000 Mark II (dye) for note cards, proofs and snapshots; and an HP all-in-one (dye) for all other printing, including PDFs and promotional materials, usually on plain paper.

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

I shopped on Ebay and got a Canon Pro Mark 9000 for about 200.00, it was new, but no rebate. This was a couple years ago and they should be cheaper now. Bee

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Epson has been the king of photo printers for a very long time and you want to look for a model that is photo specific. The word PHOTO will be in the model name. A photo specific printer will never have copying, scanning, and fax abilities and actually won't print text documents very well either. I personally have an Epson Stylus Photo 1400 wide carriage printer that can print up to borderless 13X19 and down to wallet size. I understand it has been replaced by a 1430 now. I paid about $225 for it at Costco but Office Max ran it for $250 at the same time with a $25 mail in rebate. I use a cheap $69 Samsung laser printer for text documents because toner cost per page is extremely low and a cartridge lasts forever.

Running costs are never reasonable on any inkjet printer so you can get over that idea quickly. Using cheap refills of non-Epson ink gives you inaccurate prints so I buy real Epson inks. Papers are overly expensive too but I wait until Epson's online store has a sale and I get 40 to 50% off normal prices - sometimes with free shipping.

I personally use my Epson for special jobs I want control of like 11X14, 13X19, and most times 8X10. Otherwise I run down to WalMart for grocery shopping, which fortunately also has a color-accurate print lab, and the prices for 4X6 and 5X7 are MUCH lower than doing it at home.

ahanonymous Loc: Queens, NY

I'm still using my Epson 2200 for large prints and an Epson Artisan 50 for general (documents, etc.) printing.

They work great, prints look good, but I hate having to replace Epson ink cartridges. Too expensive, but they will not ruin the printer. I used non-Epson ink in my last Artisan 50 and ruined the print head. So, despite what anybody else says, only original Epson ink from now on.