Thread: Need help finding a printer

Like the title says. Im looking for a printer mostly for photos. Needs to me Mac compatable. I was looking at the Canon Pixma ip100. Not sure if its worth the $ 200. Is there anything better out there ? I don't want to spend that much $$ What are photo mags using for their prints ? Is it better to just bring a disc to CVS and have them print them ?

DIY photo printing is expensive compared to a commercial printer. These days you can [usually] upload or e-mail your local printer and then go pick it up in a day or two. If you're going to walk over to the shop use a thumb drive.

Originally Posted by bmg97

I don't want to spend that much $$ What are photo mags using for their prints ? Is it better to just bring a disc to CVS and have them print them ?

Snow dog is right, it's cheaper to upload them to a local printer via internet, disc or USB drive. The exception is if you have a need to have your prints "right now", ie if you are a pro photographer, marketing designer, or other imaging professional or serious hobbyist.

As for costs, ink cartridges and photo-grade paper are your biggest concern, not the price of the actual printer.

Both good points. Thanks !

are you just talking about 4X6 photo prints? if you buy the photo paper & ink cartridge as a combined pkg, you're talking about 20 cents per print to do it at home. e.g. http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/CG491AN%2523140

(plus the cost of the printer. i work for HP but I'm not too current on the photo printer category, sorry).

Originally Posted by frorider

are you just talking about 4X6 photo prints? if you buy the photo paper & ink cartridge as a combined pkg, you're talking about 20 cents per print to do it at home. e.g. http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/CG491AN%2523140

(plus the cost of the printer. i work for HP but I'm not too current on the photo printer category, sorry).

Well I was thinking about printing some larger than 4 x 6 depending on the shot. If its a good shot of me it will be 8 x 10 minimum. My friends will most likely be on 4 x 6 I already bought the paper and ink but discovered my printer has been sitting too long and now is all clogged up. I cant get the heads clean enough so I was thinking about getting a new one. The printer is like 4 years old anyway.

I've done the math on printing your own 4x6 photos.

It doesn't work. Initial printer cost. Recurring paper cost. Recurring ink cost (which you'll need lots of if you do high-quality prints).

Wal-Mart / Costco is always cheaper (15-19c per for me and done in an hour).

As for printers, I like the Epsons - I have an Artisan 700 and an R320 before that (the 700 makes the 320 look like a slug).

Originally Posted by legallyillegal

I've done the math on printing your own 4x6 photos.

It doesn't work. Initial printer cost. Recurring paper cost. Recurring ink cost (which you'll need lots of if you do high-quality prints).

Wal-Mart / Costco is always cheaper (15-19c per for me and done in an hour).

As for printers, I like the Epsons - I have an Artisan 700 and an R320 before that (the 700 makes the 320 look like a slug).

Makes sense to me. I think I'm going to get the Canon pixma 100 for general printing. When I need to print mass photos Ill go to CVS or something.

If you are not going for a general ink jet and not one specifically for the photo printing, then I would recommend any of the units that have the separate ink cartridges- either 3 color and black or the ink jet printing with photo printing- they have some 5 (black & photo black) or up to 7 (black & photo black and 2 Cyan and magenta each for darker and lighter tones) cartridges.

Is there a reason you are looking at a portable printer? Much pricier than a desktop printer - that still can work with a Mac.

PS: Any inkjet that sits for a long period will dry out and at least need cleaned or worst the all the ink cartridges and printheads replaced. You should be printing at least every couple of days or a week, else go with a laser toner printer.

Don't buy an HP, they suck. Mine just crapped out after 18 months. Spent $40 having it diagnosed, and was told it's dead. I'd just stick to getting the prints done on-line, or at any of a dozen local drug stores near you. Avoid the hassles.

I'll back the online prints thing. Inexpensive photo printers = teh suck.
Most "good" printers start around $500. Then add the cost of ink and paper plus the time, cost (and MAJOR headache) of profiling.

One thing I'll add about Macs is that a lot of the smaller Epsons (the R380 and 1280's are one's I've experienced this with) don't communicate very well them. I frequently have to restart both the computer and the printer to get them to talk to eachother. Very frustrating when you've filled out a 5 page non-save-able PDF.

That being said...
The epson 1900 isn't a bad little printer. Don't know a whole lot about other companies (only used Epson on a regular basis), but I've heard good things about both HPs and Canons.

Originally Posted by RShea

If you are not going for a general ink jet and not one specifically for the photo printing, then I would recommend any of the units that have the separate ink cartridges- either 3 color and black or the ink jet printing with photo printing- they have some 5 (black & photo black) or up to 7 (black & photo black and 2 Cyan and magenta each for darker and lighter tones) cartridges.

Is there a reason you are looking at a portable printer? Much pricier than a desktop printer - that still can work with a Mac.

PS: Any inkjet that sits for a long period will dry out and at least need cleaned or worst the all the ink cartridges and printheads replaced. You should be printing at least every couple of days or a week, else go with a laser toner printer.

I was looking at the portable just because of the size. I read some reveiws and they said print quality was pretty good. My epson C66 was sitting for about a year and it's just fucked.

Originally Posted by Toadman

Don't buy an HP, they suck. Mine just crapped out after 18 months. Spent $40 having it diagnosed, and was told it's dead. I'd just stick to getting the prints done on-line, or at any of a dozen local drug stores near you. Avoid the hassles.

Im thinking the same thing. I am kind of leaning towards a decent printer now. Nothing crazy. Im going to use it for smaller prints and mostly documents. After reading all the posts about price vs. printing I think it makes more sense to either go on line or go to CVS or some other place for photos.

Originally Posted by Storm11

I'll back the online prints thing. Inexpensive photo printers = teh suck.
Most "good" printers start around $500. Then add the cost of ink and paper plus the time, cost (and MAJOR headache) of profiling.

One thing I'll add about Macs is that a lot of the smaller Epsons (the R380 and 1280's are one's I've experienced this with) don't communicate very well them. I frequently have to restart both the computer and the printer to get them to talk to eachother. Very frustrating when you've filled out a 5 page non-save-able PDF.

$ 500.00 is way to much !!! I need to ski this year. In regards to the Mac Epson thing, I have the same problem. There are no drivers to install for MAC. I couldn't do any of the printer cleaning modes. So I say fuck you Joe Boo. Getting a new printer.

I think all the printers out there are pretty damn good nowdays just like all TV's are lightyears way better than 30 yrs ago

big second on the supply thing,check the supply price of whatever you are going to buy

I was gona buy lexmark cuz I have fixed a ton of them since day 1 ,BUT upon investigation the supplyes were expensive, I was told the reason the cartridge's can be expensive is that a new cartridge can be not just ink but also a new print head

So now I use the GF's bigger lower price per copy lazer printer to do pretty much 99.9% plain paper ,I didn't use the brother I ended buying enough and the ink cartridges are drying out OR from my experiance with inkjets part of the cleaning cycle is usually to purge a little ink

I think I will just use it as a door stop or give it away to someone who will use it

I was looking at the portable just because of the size. I read some reveiws and they said print quality was pretty good.

It is not the quality of the print, but a few issues that you should be aware of before the purchase. As I stated it is about 3 times to 4 times more money for the portable printer. Smaller ink cartridges that run out faster (which can be a good thing if you do not use it often) and that unit also handles only a few sheets of paper at a time. Forget sticking 100 or so sheets in it and walking away while it prints a longer document. If you needed things like the capability to carry it in a bag with you then OK, but the foot print of a small desktop printer and that one would only matter if you are in a small efficiency apartment where space is a critical issue. It is 12.7"(W) x 2.4"(H) x 7.2"(D) and the smaller desktop printers like a IP3600 at 17.0"(W) x11.7"(D) x 6.0"(H) under 5 inches in width and 3 inches in depth for 1/4 the price. (Has no bleutooth and a few other differences too though). that IP3600 will handle 150 sheets of paper in the feeder and the output tray is higher capacity also.

Compare the units here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...categoryid=117

Originally Posted by RShea

It is not the quality of the print, but a few issues that you should be aware of before the purchase. As I stated it is about 3 times to 4 times more money for the portable printer. Smaller ink cartridges that run out faster (which can be a good thing if you do not use it often) and that unit also handles only a few sheets of paper at a time. Forget sticking 100 or so sheets in it and walking away while it prints a longer document. If you needed things like the capability to carry it in a bag with you then OK, but the foot print of a small desktop printer and that one would only matter if you are in a small efficiency apartment where space is a critical issue. It is 12.7"(W) x 2.4"(H) x 7.2"(D) and the smaller desktop printers like a IP3600 at 17.0"(W) x11.7"(D) x 6.0"(H) under 5 inches in width and 3 inches in depth for 1/4 the price. (Has no bleutooth and a few other differences too though). that IP3600 will handle 150 sheets of paper in the feeder and the output tray is higher capacity also.

Compare the units here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...categoryid=117

Wow !!! I really didn't think about any of that ! Want to take a ride with me to pick one out

Space is not that critical of an issue and Im never going to travel with it but holding only a couple pieces of paper will be a p.i.a. I don't print a ton so I pretty much waste the ink because it dries out. I hate choices !!!

I appreciate all the info.

I'd order one and ship it to you, as you probably do not want to pay my rate to consult on purchasing it elsewhere, like I do for local customers that think mail order or internet is going to save them tons of money.

Both those models I listed also have the tri-chamber color cartridge instead of the separate color cartridges.

Originally Posted by XXX-er

I think all the printers out there are pretty damn good nowdays just like all TV's are lightyears way better than 30 yrs ago

big second on the supply thing,check the supply price of whatever you are going to buy

I was gona buy lexmark cuz I have fixed a ton of them since day 1 ,BUT upon investigation the supplyes were expensive, I was told the reason the cartridge's can be expensive is that a new cartridge can be not just ink but also a new print head

So now I use the GF's bigger lower price per copy lazer printer to do pretty much 99.9% plain paper ,I didn't use the brother I ended buying enough and the ink cartridges are drying out OR from my experiance with inkjets part of the cleaning cycle is usually to purge a little ink

I think I will just use it as a door stop or give it away to someone who will use it

Lexmark has been trying to crack down and stop any of the companies that refill or reload their cartridges too. Both inkjet and lazer they want you to purchase supplies only from them, which can be expensive. They have taken to the courts to stop some companies. HP and Canon and a few others can be easily refilled- with places like Walgreens doing them for $10 each for black and $15 for the color with your existing empty cartridges.

I'm using a Canon PIXMA ip4500, and am much happier with it than any low end Epson I've owned. Separate ink tanks, doesn't clog nearly as often (seems I was always going through the clean ink head procedure on the Epsons), and takes up a relatively small amount of space when all closed up. I use it on a Mac, and while some of the utility / installation programs seem a little unpolished it works fine for me.

Originally Posted by RShea

Lexmark has been trying to crack down and stop any of the companies that refill or reload their cartridges too. Both inkjet and lazer they want you to purchase supplies only from them, which can be expensive. They have taken to the courts to stop some companies. HP and Canon and a few others can be easily refilled- with places like Walgreens doing them for $10 each for black and $15 for the color with your existing empty cartridges.

well in my experiance the chance of a refilled toner cartrdiges leaking, giving poor print ,causing a HW service call were many times greater than real lexmark toner cartridge's which were very high quality

The 1st thing I would ask on the phone is did you change the cartridge and what kind of cartridge because if the problem is supply related and I come on site they would be getting a large bill .

IF you do your own PD , recycled cartridges might be fine for the savy end users but my customers were all national accounts ,end losers with service agreements who didnt actualy give a shit what anything actualy cost so they just called service or kept replaceing bad supplies till they got something that worked which was not cost effective

I suggest to the end loser doing a print test which gives you the # of copies on the printer ,writing that number on the cartridge and check again whenever you change cartridges so you can check to make sure you get all the advertised # of copys you paid for ... most end users at large outfits were not paying the bill so they ignored me

Customers would ask if recycled toner cartridges were any good to which I replied " its like trying to feed yer cow hay that already been thru the cow"