Ilford - overpriced or not?
Jul 9, 2013 12:05:35 #
I just bought my first package of ultra premium photo paper, a package of 25 Ilford Galarie Prestige Smooth Gloss. It cost me $19.99 plus tax at my local specialty camera store (which I hardly ever go to). The paper is a lot thicker than anything I've used before, but the one pic I've printed with it (took literally about 15 minutes on my el cheapo Epson NX110 at the "Best Photo" quality setting) looks pretty good, but I'm not sure if it's worth almost $1/sheet. They had 100 sheet packages for around $55, but I'm not willing to buy in bulk if I've never used a product before - besides, the store may be ripping me off. That's why I'm asking all you experts on the hog. What makes a bigger difference? High end paper or a high end printer? A nice Canon 900 (9000?) I saw there cost $300 on sale.
Jul 9, 2013 12:11:43 #
planepics wrote:
I just bought my first package of ultra premium ph... (show quote)
I use Galerie Smooth Pearl (same price) all the time. I think its the best. It takes maybe four minutes on my Canon pro 9000. They both make a difference. I do buy 100 sheet box, after I try the 25 sheet box!! :D :D
Jul 9, 2013 12:20:48 #
Ultimately, the quality of the prints depends on 3 items:
1: The file being printed
2: The printer being used
3: The paper being used
For the absolute best print it will take the right combination of printer and paper. The "top grade" paper will always give better results than bargain paper. Get a really good quality printer and that will definitely increase the quality of the final product.
1: The file being printed
2: The printer being used
3: The paper being used
For the absolute best print it will take the right combination of printer and paper. The "top grade" paper will always give better results than bargain paper. Get a really good quality printer and that will definitely increase the quality of the final product.
Jul 9, 2013 12:35:37 #
Jul 9, 2013 13:02:53 #
Country's Mama wrote:
What about the quality of the ink?
I use Epson ink in my printer. I've used generic inks before, but it's been a crap shoot...not consistent. I definitely need to get a more efficient printer at some point. I think I read somewhere that it uses 4 PL per drop. My whale pic used up (just looking at a skewed diagram) maybe 10% of a brand new cartridge of cyan! I got the printer at a company Christmas party a few years ago. Right now, if I had to buy a new mid/decent quality photo printer and not a piece of crap, it would take me 2-4 weeks of unemployment checks...I'll be back to work as a school bus driver in about a month, though.
Jul 9, 2013 16:26:05 #
planepics wrote:
I use Epson ink in my printer. I've used generic ... (show quote)
That is why I just pay someone to print my photos that I want prints of. The home printing cost so much in ink.
Jul 9, 2013 18:45:06 #
planepics wrote:
I just bought my first package of ultra premium ph... (show quote)
Yes, high quality papers can make a big positive difference in your prints. Couple that with a good printer (that Canon 9000 is killer by the way) and you can get results that will tickle you pink! Sure, high end papers can be expensive, but the improvement in print quality can certainly justify the higher cost (IMHO).
I haven't used the Ilford papers as my files have all been tweaked to print on specific Moab and Hanhnemuele papers, but a good buddy has been using Ilford and loves it. The prints I have seen have been excellent. Ilford's prices seem very reasonable to me.
Jul 9, 2013 19:11:25 #
Country's Mama wrote:
That is why I just pay someone to print my photos that I want prints of. The home printing cost so much in ink.
I feel the same way. BTW, the professional lab near where I live can get the most accurate colors if you submit a TIFF file. Often these are huge files. They typically download the image(s) at the time I place my order from a thumbdrive.
Jul 9, 2013 19:24:01 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
I feel the same way. BTW, the professional lab near where I live can get the most accurate colors if you submit a TIFF file. Often these are huge files. They typically download the image(s) at the time I place my order from a thumbdrive.
I never thought about using a Tiff file. I will have to try that.
Jul 10, 2013 07:59:39 #
Not over priced for the quality of the product line. I use Ilford exclusively for gloss prints in three sizes: letter, tabloid, and superB. Drop dead gorgeous and yes, slow to print. I have an Epson 1280 (dye based-wide format) and an Epson 2200 (pigment based-wide format) both of which deliver the goods. These are legacy printers and less expensive to operate than the current models, by the way. Ink is always in issue and an high profit item for the manufacturers. Stick with Ilford if you want to impress others with your prints though and get a better grade printer, if you can.
Jul 10, 2013 09:41:07 #
The paper is a lot thicker than anything I've used before, but the one pic I've printed with it (took literally about 15 minutes on my el cheapo Epson NX110 at the "Best Photo" quality setting) looks pretty good, but I'm not sure if it's worth almost $1/sheet.
Try printing on the 'Photo Quality' setting instead and it will be a lot quicker, and you probably won't notice the difference in quality.
Try printing on the 'Photo Quality' setting instead and it will be a lot quicker, and you probably won't notice the difference in quality.
Jul 10, 2013 10:34:29 #
Ilford paper is excellent ! I use genuine inks and have a Canon 9000 printer...it is a little slow but the prints are top quality . Check with pro stores and ask them what papers they use ?
Jul 10, 2013 11:07:28 #
I have a Canon pixma pro9500. I use Red River, Moab, Hahnemuhleand and Ilford. I find that certain photos lend themselves to certain paper. I truly enjoy the fact that I can produce a print up to 13" X 19". It completes the fun I have of going out to shoot and seeing what I have produced on paper.
Jul 10, 2013 12:38:05 #
It doesn't matter if you print from a jpg, tiff or raw, what matters is the color profiling.
Jul 10, 2013 12:41:23 #
johnbee418
Loc: Manchester Conn.
planepics wrote:
I just bought my first package of ultra premium ph... (show quote)
This is a prime example of American economics. This guy is making his head hurt worrying about nickles and dimes while he's perfectly capable of blowing hundreds of dollars on a brand name piece of gadgetry. And, to complete the yuppie picture, he publicly admits seldom using a local photo store where all his questions could most likely be answered. Rather spending his time and money in a big box store where the clerks are hard-put to spell "cat" and absolutely cannot make change if the power goes out and the cash registers don't work.
My suggestion to this poster is this: Cut all the new Ilford papers in half and use them for note pads. Probably start a new trend, and it will go a long way to diffusing the idea that you're an idiot created by your post above.
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