Inkjet printer replacement recommendation

Ockham's Razor wrote:
> In article <pan.2006.08.28.08.39.33.392550.TakeThisOut@gmx.net>,
> Alexander Miha <miha.TakeThisOut@gmx.net> wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
> > a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> > I look for are:
> >
> > 1. Good quality output
> > 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
> > 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> > 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
> > then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
> >
> > I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
> > spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
> > from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
> >
> > Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>
> After miserable experiences with permanently clogged ink flow and the
> exhorbitant cost of ink, I chose to buy a laser for B&W and make prints
> at the photo store. Cheaper and better over all.
>
> --
> There are two ways to spell Ockham/Occam. Britannica prefers the former.

A little more money and you oculd get a color laser. I've seen some
great prints from color laser.

Joe Sarrach
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

Alexander Miha wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> I look for are:
>
> 1. Good quality output
> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
>
That requirement means you should focus on HP printers. I
don't have one of the models that is dedicated to photo
printing, but I used one a few months ago, and the output
was fantastic. Most, if not all, models print directly from
memory cards, with provision for some editing.

> I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
> spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
> from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
>
> Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>
> Any info is greatly appreciated!
> -- Alex
>
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

"Alexander Miha" <miha DeleteThis @gmx.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.08.28.08.39.33.392550@gmx.net...
> Hello,
>
> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I
> have
> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> I look for are:
>
> 1. Good quality output
> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10,
> 8.5x11)
> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for
> months,
> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.

I have had a Canon i9900 for about 3 years ... it has gone many months
between print cycles and never clogged. While it is a large format
printer, the smaller page size Canon printers that use similar
head/ink technology should perform similarly. Truly excellent output.
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 08:39:33 +0000, Alexander Miha wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> I look for are:
>
> 1. Good quality output
> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
>
> I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
> spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
> from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
>
> Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>
> Any info is greatly appreciated!
> -- Alex
I have a HP Deskjet 6520 and am satisfied with the results I get.
--
Neil
Delete l to reply
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

Sitting six months without use is hard for any printer.
While I am biased in favor of the quality of Epson images and the
superiority of Epson color management and printer drivers clogging is a real
issue with Epson printers, worse when the printer is not regularly used.
If color management is not crucial to the way you print Canon printers in my
experience are less prone to printer head problems than Epson although more
difficult to get critically accurate color out of.
I do not have experience with current generation HP photo printers, which
reportedly have improved, because I found earlier generations were
disappointing.
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

? "Alexander Miha" <miha.TakeThisOut@gmx.net> ?????? ??? ??????
news:pan.2006.08.28.08.39.33.392550@gmx.net...
> Hello,
>
> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> I look for are:
>
> 1. Good quality output
> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
>
> I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
> spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
> from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
>
> Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>
> Any info is greatly appreciated!
> -- Alex
>
How about the canon ip 4300?

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Printers/Bubble_Jet/PIXM
A_iP4300/index.asp?ComponentID=388896&SourcePageID=26389#1
It has single inks, dipensable separate head so when the ink is clogged you
trash just the head and not the whole printer, can print on printable cds
and dvds and costs here 136 euros with taxes.Every inkjet printer, according
to computer experts (I have asked them) should print at least once a week,
both B&W and colour or else.


--
Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
major in electrical engineering,freelance electrician
mechanized infantry reservist
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:09:57 GMT, "bmoag" <aetoo.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Sitting six months without use is hard for any printer.
>While I am biased in favor of the quality of Epson images and the
>superiority of Epson color management and printer drivers clogging is a real
>issue with Epson printers, worse when the printer is not regularly used.
>If color management is not crucial to the way you print Canon printers in my
>experience are less prone to printer head problems than Epson although more
>difficult to get critically accurate color out of.
>I do not have experience with current generation HP photo printers, which
>reportedly have improved, because I found earlier generations were
>disappointing.


HP is probably the safest choice for a casual and
infrequently-used printer. Epson pigments will give
the best-lasting prints, but they don't take kindly to
sitting idle.

Personally, I don't expect any inkjet printer to withstand
years of heavy use - except maybe a pro model (eg.
Epson 7x00/9x00 etc.) And Even those big Epsons
fall down occasionally.


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios wrote:
> ? "Alexander Miha" <miha.DeleteThis@gmx.net> ?????? ??? ??????
> news:pan.2006.08.28.08.39.33.392550@gmx.net...
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
>> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
>> I look for are:
>>
>> 1. Good quality output
>> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
>> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
>> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
>> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
>>
>> I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
>> spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
>> from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
>>
>> Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>>
>> Any info is greatly appreciated!
>> -- Alex
>>
> How about the canon ip 4300?
>
> http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Printers/Bubble_Jet/PIXM
> A_iP4300/index.asp?ComponentID=388896&SourcePageID=26389#1
> It has single inks, dipensable separate head so when the ink is clogged you
> trash just the head and not the whole printer, can print on printable cds
> and dvds and costs here 136 euros with taxes.Every inkjet printer, according
> to computer experts (I have asked them) should print at least once a week,
> both B&W and colour or else.

And therein lies the problem for people like me, so it's laser for b&w,
on-line printing for photos. Also cheaper that way. Want a quick print,
try the Kodak kiosk at CVS.
Dave Cohen
>
>
> --
> Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
> major in electrical engineering,freelance electrician
> mechanized infantry reservist
> dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

"Raphael Bustin" <rafeb.DeleteThis@speakeasy.net> wrote:
> On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:09:57 GMT, "bmoag" <aetoo.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Sitting six months without use is hard for any printer.
>>While I am biased in favor of the quality of Epson images and the
>>superiority of Epson color management and printer drivers clogging is a
>>real
>>issue with Epson printers, worse when the printer is not regularly used.
>>If color management is not crucial to the way you print Canon printers in
>>my
>>experience are less prone to printer head problems than Epson although
>>more
>>difficult to get critically accurate color out of.
>>I do not have experience with current generation HP photo printers, which
>>reportedly have improved, because I found earlier generations were
>>disappointing.
>
> HP is probably the safest choice for a casual and
> infrequently-used printer. Epson pigments will give
> the best-lasting prints, but they don't take kindly to
> sitting idle.

I hope they're doing better on the fading issue. Between the fading and the
paper handling (the HP printer I had would scratch even slightly heavier
than the thinnest stock papers) I'll never buy an HP again.

> Personally, I don't expect any inkjet printer to withstand
> years of heavy use - except maybe a pro model (eg.
> Epson 7x00/9x00 etc.) And Even those big Epsons
> fall down occasionally.

But my hated HP was given to an acquaintance years ago, and he reports that
his kids are still using it as their main printer.

I don't know which model it was, but in Tokyo, HP was selling a 13x19
printer that produced very nice glossy B&W prints. It may not have the
subtle gradations of the Epson 2400, but the samples looked very nice.
(Well, they were from 35mm and looked like cr#p from anything closer than
two feet, but that wasn't the printer's fault.) And it's less than half the
price of the Epson.

David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

"David J. Littleboy" <davidjl RemoveThis @gol.com> wrote in message
news:ed00tb$hok$1@nnrp.gol.com...
> "Raphael Bustin" <rafeb RemoveThis @speakeasy.net> wrote:

>> HP is probably the safest choice for a casual and
>> infrequently-used printer. Epson pigments will give
>> the best-lasting prints, but they don't take kindly to
>> sitting idle.
>
> I hope they're doing better on the fading issue. Between the fading and
> the paper handling (the HP printer I had would scratch even slightly
> heavier than the thinnest stock papers) I'll never buy an HP again.

The HP "Vivera" inks, on HP swellable-polymer papers, do
pretty well in longevity. The problem is that with that ink set,
you will NOT get the rated longevity on any other paper.

The paper handling on my DesignJet 30 was pretty awful.
As you say, paper scratching. Face down paper loading --
what a joke! Worse yet, the paper surface never really dries.

These two items are the main reasons I ditched it and went
for the (Epson) R1800.


>> Personally, I don't expect any inkjet printer to withstand
>> years of heavy use - except maybe a pro model (eg.
>> Epson 7x00/9x00 etc.) And Even those big Epsons
>> fall down occasionally.
>
> But my hated HP was given to an acquaintance years ago, and he reports
> that his kids are still using it as their main printer.
>
> I don't know which model it was, but in Tokyo, HP was selling a 13x19
> printer that produced very nice glossy B&W prints. It may not have the
> subtle gradations of the Epson 2400, but the samples looked very nice.
> (Well, they were from 35mm and looked like cr#p from anything closer than
> two feet, but that wasn't the printer's fault.) And it's less than half
> the price of the Epson.


I had no particular complaints about the tonality and image
quality from the DesignJet 30. The R800/R1800 and Epsons
in general are a bit more precise about the dots they lay down,
and the dots are smaller. Epson still has the best "micro-weaving"
algorithms in town.

In fact, I'd say 90% of the issues from Epson printers these days
stems from the nature of pigment inks. They will always be more
troublesome than dyes.


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

In article <pan.2006.08.28.08.39.33.392550.TakeThisOut@gmx.net>, miha.TakeThisOut@gmx.net
says...
> Hello,
>
> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> I look for are:
>
> 1. Good quality output
> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
>
> I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
> spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
> from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
>
> Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>
> Any info is greatly appreciated!
> -- Alex
>
>
One more vote for the Canon i9900, although the cost is about twice your
stated limit. We have been running ours for three years, and we have
yet to replace the printhead. It prints on an astonishing range of
papers and materials. We even print on the Epson roll canvas, with
great results. Plus, when a color runs out, you do not replace some
silly three-in-one cart. The separate tanks are app. $12 USD apiece.
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

Alexander Miha wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I am looking for printer recommendation to print digital photos (I have
> a BW laser for other stuff) to replace a dying HP 5550. The features
> I look for are:
>
> 1. Good quality output
> 2. Borderless printing, preferably both 4x6 and full page (8x10, 8.5x11)
> 3. Reasonable cost of ink per page
> 4. Reliable: can withstand a pattern when it sometimes sits for months,
> then prints 40 full pages of trip photos.
>
> I am looking at printers for under $200 (buying in the US), but can
> spend more if the quality is significantly higher. Also, I always print
> from a computer so printing directly from memory card is not important.
>
> Do you know/use something that fits the above descritpion?
>
> Any info is greatly appreciated!
> -- Alex


Hello, Alex:

If you want superb photo-quality prints, with incredible detail, pick
Epson.

If you want endless headaches, pertaining to clogged nozzles, pick
Epson. <g>


Cordially,
John Turco <jtur@@concentric.net>
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation 

bmoag wrote:
>
> Sitting six months without use is hard for any printer.
> While I am biased in favor of the quality of Epson images and the
> superiority of Epson color management and printer drivers clogging is a real
> issue with Epson printers, worse when the printer is not regularly used.
> If color management is not crucial to the way you print Canon printers in my
> experience are less prone to printer head problems than Epson although more
> difficult to get critically accurate color out of.
> I do not have experience with current generation HP photo printers, which
> reportedly have improved, because I found earlier generations were
> disappointing.


Hello, bmoag:

Don't know about HP, but you definitely nailed the pros/cons of Epson
inkjet printers. When they're good, they're very, very good.

But, when they're bad, they're horrid.


Cordially,
John Turco <jtur@@concentric.net>
 >> Stay informed about: Inkjet printer replacement recommendation