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Printer reliability
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Oct 12, 2021 14:16:19   #
gitano48 Loc: Houston
 
From personal experience can any of the many astute Hedgehoggers recommend a good quality color printer that doesn’t break the bank (under $300) with good fidelity and is reliable?
I’m very frustrated with what I’m using now: a Canon iP1800 that has satisfactory color rendition but with feeder problems (4x6 in particular), and an HP Envy 7858 that prints over-saturated colors with extreme contrast….no matter how I try to manipulate hue intensity and saturation. Flesh tones are terrible. The HP is relatively new but I’m not happy with either one.
I appreciate any suggestions offered.

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Oct 12, 2021 15:23:46   #
ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ
 
I'm curious to hear the answers to your question, because I don't print my pictures. It may help to define your question if you say how you use your printed pictures, i. E., what level of quality you need.
Chuck

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Oct 12, 2021 15:52:21   #
RichinSeattle
 
I abandoned HP years ago and have since used only Epson printers, with which I've always been happy. There are several models to choose from, and occasionally you can find a refurbished one on Epson's website, or eBay.

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Oct 12, 2021 16:02:43   #
gitano48 Loc: Houston
 
ChuckMc wrote:
I'm curious to hear the answers to your question, because I don't print my pictures. It may help to define your question if you say how you use your printed pictures, i. E., what level of quality you need.
Chuck


I do some freelance work and often provide selected complementary prints in addition to the digital files.
The level of quality that I need (want) is reasonably high; depending of course on the quality of the printer and my expectations from that printer. True colors are key, flesh tones in particular. The Canon I mentioned in my query (not a top-of-the-line machine) was quite satisfactory in that regard but now it has feeder problems. How these simple things fail, I don’t understand.

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Oct 12, 2021 16:18:45   #
gitano48 Loc: Houston
 
RichinSeattle wrote:
I abandoned HP years ago and have since used only Epson printers, with which I've always been happy. There are several models to choose from, and occasionally you can find a refurbished one on Epson's website, or eBay.


Thank you for your response, Rich.
I did a little research this morning and looked at the Epson ET2760 which has favorable reviews. A little more than $300 new. Brief specs say nothing about an SD card slot which HP has.

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Oct 12, 2021 16:25:47   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
I have tank printers on my radar for "the next one". Since I print photos, it needs more than the typical three colors. That puts the "Canon PIXMA G620 Wireless MegaTank Photo All-in-One Printer" at $300 high on my list. It is far from a high end photo printer so is probably full of plastic parts. It does get good reviews.

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Oct 13, 2021 06:10:57   #
DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA
 
Please look at HP printers. Excellent quality and their ink program is beyond compare. I have used them for years and never looked back. You will be pleasantly surprise, I promise.

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Oct 13, 2021 06:41:10   #
LLC Loc: Ontario, Canada
 
gitano48 wrote:
From personal experience can any of the many astute Hedgehoggers recommend a good quality color printer that doesn’t break the bank (under $300) with good fidelity and is reliable?
I’m very frustrated with what I’m using now: a Canon iP1800 that has satisfactory color rendition but with feeder problems (4x6 in particular), and an HP Envy 7858 that prints over-saturated colors with extreme contrast….no matter how I try to manipulate hue intensity and saturation. Flesh tones are terrible. The HP is relatively new but I’m not happy with either one.
I appreciate any suggestions offered.
From personal experience can any of the many astut... (show quote)


Did you try to load printer color management profiles? I think you should get then on CD that came with the printer.

Here is example from "Devices and Printers" screen:



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Oct 13, 2021 07:51:23   #
AGO
 
RichinSeattle wrote:
I abandoned HP years ago and have since used only Epson printers, with which I've always been happy. There are several models to choose from, and occasionally you can find a refurbished one on Epson's website, or eBay.


I have come to the conclusion that there aren't any reliable printers under $300. I also abandoned HP years ago after having two of them fail right after the warranty expiration. I switched to a Canon and was very happy with it. Unfortunately, it was damaged in a move and I was not able to replace it with a similar model. I now have an Epson that I am very unhappy with. I have had numerous problems with it from Day One and Epson's tech support has been less helpful. They also would not honor their warranty.

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Oct 13, 2021 08:02:23   #
sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD
 
I have used many HP printers and think that they are great for general document printing. For printing photos, however, I think that Epson printers are far superior and reliable

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Oct 13, 2021 08:31:27   #
coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA
 
I have been through many printers over the years. All of them Epson which I found reliable with good quality. Not sure you can find what you are looking for for $300.
If you find a refurbished printer you may be able to find a better printer at that price. However I would caution buying any used printer. Insist on a current nozzle check.
Last but not least, do you really have a need to print your own prints? Considering the cost of inks and the fact that the lifespan of cheap printers isn’t very long, consider sending to a lab on-line.
Remember that to keep your printer from getting clogged heads you need to keep it running a lot or do nozzle checks and head cleanings which suck up a lot of inks.

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Oct 13, 2021 08:48:48   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
Have you been to the printing forum on UHH? https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-120-1.html

Look for a printer that has ink TANKS, not cartridges!

You will pay dearly for ink if you buy it in little cartridges.

These look promising: EPSON ET-8500 and ET-8550.

Whatever you buy, know that results depend almost entirely on monitor calibration and using the correct ICC PROFILES for your monitor, printer, ink, and paper combination.

A lack of understanding color management from camera to paper is the #1 reason photographers blame a printer for bad color. The old phrase, RTFM (Read The *Fine* Manual) applies, except you have several manuals to devour thoroughly!

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Oct 13, 2021 08:54:54   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
I like my Epson 440 4-in-1. It was cheap but prints really slow. Decent quality for me but I don’t print much. 4 cartridges.

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Oct 13, 2021 09:02:02   #
Bayou
 
coolhanduke wrote:
....Not sure you can find what you are looking for for $300....do you really have a need to print your own prints? Considering the cost of inks and the fact that the lifespan of cheap printers isn’t very long, consider sending to a lab on-line....



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Oct 13, 2021 09:37:57   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
burkphoto wrote:
Have you been to the printing forum on UHH? https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-120-1.html

Look for a printer that has ink TANKS, not cartridges!

You will pay dearly for ink if you buy it in little cartridges.

These look promising: EPSON ET-8500 and ET-8550.

Whatever you buy, know that results depend almost entirely on monitor calibration and using the correct ICC PROFILES for your monitor, printer, ink, and paper combination.

A lack of understanding color management from camera to paper is the #1 reason photographers blame a printer for bad color. The old phrase, RTFM (Read The *Fine* Manual) applies, except you have several manuals to devour thoroughly!
Have you been to the printing forum on UHH? https... (show quote)


The EPSON ET-8500 and ET-8550 are significantly higher than the OP's target price!

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