leica dream Posted July 18, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted July 18, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) If I move to digital, I shall need a printer which will produce HIGH QUALITY prints as well as general document printing. Laser seems favourite, but I like separate toner for each colour rather than a single cartridge as it has been more economical on older inkjets. From your wide experience as digital photographers can you offer any guidance on make/models which will output HIGH quality images or any other factors I should consider. Very low volumes so speed is not an issue, and max print size is A4. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 18, 2007 Posted July 18, 2007 Hi leica dream, Take a look here Printing digital images. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted July 18, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted July 18, 2007 If you want quality prints of your photographs, laser is most definitely not the way. Â You need a quality inkjet and quality paper. I have had some excellent prints from my Epson R800, but others swear by HP printers. Â Buy a cheap laser for those letters to the bank manager Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwalker649 Posted July 18, 2007 Share #3 Â Posted July 18, 2007 I bought a Canon ipf5000 and so far its served my needs. There have been some out there that have had problems with this printer but so far I have had none. I would like to hear recommendations on paper. I currently use exclusively Hahnemuhle 309g matte. Is there a favorite paper out there especially for B&W? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie135 Posted July 19, 2007 Share #4 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Got to agree with Andy on this one. I have used the R800 for some three years, a long time in digital terms. It has never played up, a head cleaning once in a while despite the fact that it sometimes sits for months neglected and unused. I think for B/W there is a very highly regarded A4 printer from HP but re the difference in quality it is a close run thing. Hence perhaps in the ideal world the Epson for colour, the HP for B/W. At current prices the two together cost very little. But if you require just one the Epson would be my choice. Â Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica dream Posted July 19, 2007 Author Share #5 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Many thanks. I have a Canon BJC620 but that is ageing although, Andy, quite good enough for my Bank Manager! Your input about laser printing is most valuable. I shall explore Epson about which I have no experience. Thanks everyone. Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwf Posted July 19, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Epson has (as of a few minutes ago) the R800 available for $139 (with "special promotion" free ground shipping) in their clearance center, which sells refurbished models. I don't know if that interests you, but thought it worth pointing out. Â Here is the url if you are interested: Â http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=49631774 Â They usually seem to have a wide selection available as refurbs. My single experience (with a different printer) buying a refurb there was quite good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted July 19, 2007 Share #7 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) During the past year-plus, I have acquired 3 refurb's from Epson (free shipping) including my new 2400, and numerous refurb's from LaCie. On the Epson refurb's I even got the discount vouchers that were active. On the 2400, that's a savings of almost $300 off the list price. Â I'm laughing all the way to the bank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 19, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted July 19, 2007 A. Epson US refurbished printer isn't really much good to Richard since he lives in the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted July 19, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted July 19, 2007 So that would be a case of pond wars? Â If Epson sells a lot of stuff in the UK, what do they do with the broke-out-of-the-box stuff? No refurb's over there? Â Geez, we can get Morgan's over here.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 19, 2007 Share #10 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Geez, we can get Morgan's over here.... Â That's because people over here have more sense than to buy a car made out of trees, so they all go to export <grin> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted July 19, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted July 19, 2007 We 'Murican's used to do that will all the end-of-season Ford's. For some reason that doesn't work very well, anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjsesq Posted July 19, 2007 Share #12 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Someone wanted to know about paper for B & W. I have been using Innova Smooth Cotton 315 and 215 with my HP Z3100 and have been very happy with the results. Get them from Shades of Paper which gives great service. And for glossy they have a Luster/Pearl. Harris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted July 19, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Epson, Canon and HP top of the range printers are all excellent but tend to be A3+ in size though of course you can print A4 on them. Â Printers are relatively cheap but inks are expensive. Each printer has its own strengths and weaknesses. Laser isn't in the same ball park as far as photo quality is concerned and don't get tempted by dye sub printers, they're ok for family photos but they're inconsistent and tough to colour manage. Â Check out Digital Photography at photo-i he's just reviewed the 3 top end A3+ inkjet printers from HP, Canon and Epson. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica dream Posted July 19, 2007 Author Share #14 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Thanks everyone. Looks like Epson R800. Have done some research into reviews etc and it looks fine, Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted July 19, 2007 Share #15 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Richard, I use Hahnemuhle William Turner for matte. Unfortunately you must use the "Velvet Fine Art" selection for it and my 3800 can be a bit recalcitrant on the loading. I am using Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl for bw, but I will switch to Crane Museo Silver Rag when I run out of the FAP due to the use of optical brighteners in the FAP. I have already used a box of the Crane in a comparison test with the FAP and it was fine. I have also successfully used Epson Velvet Fine Art, Epson Matte (the high end one), Ilford Smooth Gloss and Moab Entrada. For someone starting out, the Epson 2400 is terrific and like Bill said you can get a recondtioned one. If you must print larger then a 3800. Also look at HP's offerings. I had one of their earlier dedicated bw printers and it was a revelation at the time. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Morgenstern Posted July 19, 2007 Share #16 Â Posted July 19, 2007 Richard, I have done all my own color printing for 37 years. The best digital printer today is the Fuji Pictrography. The 3500 will make stunning A4 continous tone (real) photos at higher resolution than those from a commercial lab. It is self-calibrating, and requires only distilled water. If you only print occasionally, you will spend much of your fortune and sanity trying to keep the printhead nozzles of an inkjet printer clear. The Fuji is always ready, nothing to clog, no waste, no re-prints. Not cheap, but like your Leica, a real bargain. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 20, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted July 20, 2007 Another vote for Canon. All their inkjets seem to produce colourful pictures FAST, even the cheapies. A3 model looks good if you need the size. Paper feed needs care. I'd avoid multifunction printers. Unfortunately, printers - like most digital technology - will not last forever, but if you can get a few years happy use from your printer you will be doing well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie135 Posted July 20, 2007 Share #18  Posted July 20, 2007 The Fuji 3500? Quite possible the best but it is hardly in the budget for somebody thinking of spending £240. But lucky for Richard it's discountinued. Whew   And Richard before you get carried away by arty farty paper and other complication just buy yourself a packet of Epson Premium Gloss and stick to the Epson Profile Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calshot Posted July 20, 2007 Share #19 Â Posted July 20, 2007 Richard Since you require a printer for your pictures and general work I can recommend the Canon i6600d. Fine in my opinion for amatures. Has the advantage of a cassete under for paper and the normal tray. I therefor place 6x4 photo paper in the cassette and leave normal paper in the upper tray.Seems to print out just fine for me on Gallerie and Canon papers.I do not consider myself an expert but I am more than happy.Inks do go down rather fast though.Did consider the R800 but more than I wanted to pay. Also If I we getting that type of printer I think I wold go A3. Hope this helps. Â Robin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie135 Posted July 20, 2007 Share #20  Posted July 20, 2007 What amazes me with this forum is the diversity of opinion. This printer question has produced the following extremes. So in answer to your question you need to buy an A4 printer costing about £3999 or one for £90.  Hope this clarifies the choice  Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.