Photo printer

[K9sH3]

OK I need help... ya ya not that kind of help.

I went to buy a Photo printer (only) Sh!t there are so many types out there I left more confused than I was going in.
Who has one here? and what type and all the crap I need to know before I spend money on one.

Thanks
WD

[BlueHUMMERH2]

My advice: EPSON. Almost all professional photographers use Epson photo printers. Epson's are expensive, but you can't go wrong. They will produce professional quality prints. Expect to pay $500 for a really nice one, though the less expensive models will still make very nice prints.

EpsonUSA:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.jsp?ref=haa

The HP's are terrible (they push green). I've never enjoyed them as photo printers.

Usually, I'd recommend Costco to purchase a printer (for the return policy). But right now, I can't find any decent photo printers on their website, though that doesn't mean they don't have any in store.

[K9sH3]

Thanks Blue, I am at that site now. I have a Epson CX5400 that will not print anything black. I just sent the tech dep't a email asking for help.

But wasn't Epson being sued in a class action suit about bad printers??

[BlueHUMMERH2]

The suit involved the ink cartridges telling you they were empty when they still retained some ink.

I've never really heard any complaints/problems with the Epsons... I'm not familiar with their consumer models however. The professional models are amazing. My ex was a photographer, and used the printers, and I never once suspected the prints came out of an inkjet.

This would be my choice, as you probably can find it for less at other sources:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=53540920


Canon makes good cameras. They probably make good printers:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=117&modelid=12892

[K9sH3]

Damn, that was fast as soon as I read your post and then checked my email Epson had already responded to me...

Do you remember what she used??

[K9sH3]

Blue,
Damn those ppl are nice, mine is fixed and to think I was about to toss it out the freaking window..

But still would want to get a stand alone Photo printer, and with that said I am going with the Epson. Their CSR ppl just sold me without even knowing.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

I suspect what she used was similar to the model in the link above:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=53540920

Cool, glad to hear they were helpful! I think an Epson would be a very good choice.

[KenP]

Blue,
Damn those ppl are nice, mine is fixed and to think I was about to toss it out the freaking window..

But still would want to get a stand alone Photo printer, and with that said I am going with the Epson. Their CSR ppl just sold me without even knowing.Must not have been American. So sad.

It's always nice to hear about excellent customer service.:perfect10s:

[K9sH3]

Hey Ken,
Any news on Mt.Trashmore?? beside the bowl, which we don't do much of. Mostly street riders.

[marin8703]

I would not go with epson, from my personal experience, if you dont use the printer for about 2-4 weeks without taking preventive measures the ink in the tip of the head will dry up and you need a new head, same with the cannon i had. With the hp i got now, if you dont use it for a while, it automatically cleans the head after time passes, and its ready when you need it. maybe the newer epsons and cannos do this too, dont know.

If your looking for a dedicated photo printer for 4x6 get a sony digital photo printer, i have the DPP-EX5 but its quite old and outddated, but does great prints, or get another brand but the similar type (the ones that put coating on the paper, i think its called die sublimation???). They are fingerprint proof, smudge proof, and water proof to an extent, by that i mean if a drop of liquid falls on it you can wipe it off, the reason is that it puts a layer of clear cote on top.

if you want an all in one i went with hp. rite now i have the hp photosmart 3210 and its great. you can print up to 8x11 photos, with great quality on photo paper. but these are not smudge or finderprint or water proof.

sorry i got no links for ya, but you can just search goodle for them.

[devilsfan]

I also would not go with Epson. Their quality consistently ranks 3rd on all photo sites.

Top quality would be the Canon PIXMA line or the HP Photosmart prior to the ink change (last model before the change is the 8450, which I have and is AWESOME. You can get it for under $200 as well). Avoid the HP 8250 - the new ink isn't as good.

Stacy

[K9sH3]

Marin you are right about the ink issue, that has been the problem with mine. Damn now I am glad I hadn't left yet to buy the Epson. I do not use mine very much.
Thanks thats something to think about, and I bet if I added up all the new ink I had to buy, I could have a better printer.

[K9sH3]

Devil,
I have seen the Cannon but havn't heard much about them, Thanks.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

I believe most of the newer upper level printers apply a layer that helps protect the inks from smudges and moisture.

I would not recommend an HP for photo printing, period. I have tried multiple models, and the results have always been sub-par.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

K9,

I was in the photo industry for over 40 years so here's my imput.

What someone said in the post earlier about Epson being used by the majority of professional photographers is true, BUT, those photographers are using larger format printers like 11" wide, 17" wide and larger, and they are superb...

second point is if you want to print just small 4 x 6 photos don't waste your money. MOST, not all 4 x 6 printers have the cost of paper and ink higher then if you went to walgreens, cvs, eckards etc... of course convience for use at home is a plus.

Ok last point. If the largest you need to print is 8 x 10 / 8.5 x 11
then most of the major brands are great. I have an older HP Photosmart 7960 and it " S U P E R " The plus is that it only use 3 different ink carts. MANY, not all of the newer units use 4, 5, or 6 inks and it can get expensive and for general home use a 3 cart printer is fine. I have hung photos with 7960 and no one is the wiser.

If I had to buy another 8 x 10 printer I would look at HP Photosmart, Canon, Epson and possibly Kodak, Dell etc...

Good Luck and let me know what you get, maybe f5 will imput also on this


RYD

ps:
remember if you ask 12 different people what they would do you will get 29 answers

[CO Hummer]

I've had an HP Photosmart 1115 printer for like 27 years and it still prints great. Cheap refills, great quality.

[ROX]

I've had an HP Photosmart 1115 printer for like 27 years and it still prints great. Cheap refills, great quality.really?

[CO Hummer]

really?

Really! OK, only about 6 years.

[JamesT]

Call me... www.fixmyprinter.com (http://www.fixmyprinter.com) 210-344-0332 ask for me, James

I have a "little" knowlege in this area.

[CO Hummer]

Call me... www.fixmyprinter.com (http://www.fixmyprinter.com) 210-344-0332 ask for me, James

I have a "little" knowlege in this area.

You elitist bastage. Don't forget to tell them that you shouldn't call unless you are a salaried employee making at least $50K per year.

[JamesT]

You elitist bastage. Don't forget to tell them that you shouldn't call unless you are a salaried employee making at least $50K per year.

True, I forgot. Nevermind you pheasant. Ha...I laugh down at you poor souls in need of a printer. ;)

That reminds me...Where did MOONPUPPY go? Do ya think I hurt his wittle feelings?

[K9sH3]

I too was in the printing world, but now I am retired.. Nice to be done at 40 and enjoying life.
I will give ya a call on Friday.

[Hunner]

Epson R800 for up to 8x10 and R1800 for up to llx14. I have both and they are awesome. 8 ink cartridges and they put on a gloss that makes them virtually undistinguishable, whew, from wet print process.
Retired photographer from my real job but still making money in photography. I shoot a Nikon D200 and print on these. They are the best I have seen and I have tried them all. I used to love HP but they have not kept up.
It shows you when the cartridges get low but you can keep printing until finally it will not let it start. Right out of the box makes great prints and lots of options for printing profiles.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

The ideal world would have a store that sells several different brands, on display so you could go in with your media, plop it in a make a side by side...

That leaves NYC, LA, Chicago and maybe Atlanta. (if your lucky)

GOOD LUCK

[devilsfan]

Maybe you can get a discount if you bring James some Starbucks. :jump:

Stacy

[Hunner]

The ideal world would have a store that sells several different brands, on display so you could go in with your media, plop it in a make a side by side...

That leaves NYC, LA, Chicago and maybe Atlanta. (if your lucky)

GOOD LUCK
Office Depot here does that! I tried them all. They are using some of my prints for examples. The HP lady does not speak to me anymore.

[Andy C]

I use the Canon Pixma Pro 9000 - and love it - great color and B&W results - no complaints so far. The only problem I am having is that I am running out of wall space - those 13"x19" prints soon take up some space.

[MarineHawk]

The suit involved the ink cartridges telling you they were empty when they still retained some ink.

The ink cartridges clearly engaged in fraud here. They should have been sued; not Epson.

second point is if you want to print just small 4 x 6 photos don't waste your money. MOST, not all 4 x 6 printers have the cost of paper and ink higher then if you went to walgreens, cvs, eckards etc... of course convience for use at home is a plus.

We have a 3-year-old HP, and it works great, but we never use it anymore. It takes much, much less time and hassle, when I want to print a fairly large number of pics, for me to save the pics on a CD and drop them off at Rite Aid or CVS. It's probably about as cheap in the long run.