I'm trying to help a friend find the best photo quality printer for around
$200. Any suggestions? As for myself, I have a Canon S800 (discontinued now)
that I'm totally happy with. I don't like the idea of changing cartridges on
the HP's for photo quality and I've heard that they go through cartridges
like water. I'm not sure if the Epsons still have a problem with their print
heads. I really haven't been paying attention to what's out in the
marketplace now.

Thanks,
Len

--
Folk Art from Around the World
www.thefolkartgallery.com

Hands down for the Canon i960. Low ink cost and individual color
replacement makes this a winner
go to
http://www.usa.canon.com/html/conCpr...&section=10214
for product details. I own the Canon i860 for about $50 less. Both are
GREAT for photos or text.

"Len Robbins" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:HridneXclut4ZlSiRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm trying to help a friend find the best photo quality printer for around
> $200. Any suggestions? As for myself, I have a Canon S800 (discontinued
now)
> that I'm totally happy with. I don't like the idea of changing cartridges
on
> the HP's for photo quality and I've heard that they go through cartridges
> like water. I'm not sure if the Epsons still have a problem with their
print
> heads. I really haven't been paying attention to what's out in the
> marketplace now.
>
> Thanks,
> Len
>
> --
> Folk Art from Around the World
> www.thefolkartgallery.com
>
>
>


---
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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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"Len Robbins" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I'm trying to help a friend find the best photo quality printer for around
> $200. Any suggestions? As for myself, I have a Canon S800 (discontinuednow)
> that I'm totally happy with. I don't like the idea of changing cartridges on
> the HP's for photo quality and I've heard that they go through cartridges
> like water. I'm not sure if the Epsons still have a problem with their print
> heads. I really haven't been paying attention to what's out in the
> marketplace now.
>
> Thanks,
> Len

Me, I just do my printing at SAM's Club 4x6" for 19 cents a pop
(Wal-Mart charges 26 cents for 4x6" or $2.86 for 8x10"). It seems
cheaper than paying for ink, photo paper, and the photo will last much
longer.

If you want to get cheap print then I would suggest to go with Epson
cuz you can get OEM catridge for around $3-4 a pop comparing to the
original $20-25, or HP ink cartridge costs around $30 average (some
cheaper some more expensive) unless your friend refill his/her ink.

Epson, it's better to use Contineuous Ink System (hardware) which
costs between $80-120 and s/he can use bulk ink without having to refill
(just pour the whole bottle of ink to the CIS unit and it would last for
year).

"Joel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
"Len Robbins" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I'm trying to help a friend find the best photo quality printer for around
> $200. Any suggestions? As for myself, I have a Canon S800 (discontinued now)
> that I'm totally happy with. I don't like the idea of changing cartridges on
> the HP's for photo quality and I've heard that they go through cartridges
> like water. I'm not sure if the Epsons still have a problem with their print
> heads. I really haven't been paying attention to what's out in the
> marketplace now.
>
> Thanks,
> Len

> Me, I just do my printing at SAM's Club 4x6" for 19 cents a pop
> (Wal-Mart charges 26 cents for 4x6" or $2.86 for 8x10"). It seems
> cheaper than paying for ink, photo paper, and the photo will last much
> longer.

I have a Canon i850. The cost of ink for a 8.5 x 11 photo is 2 cents
when I refill. Quality is much better than either Sam's or WalMart.
Glossy photo paper is about 35 cents per page, matte is about half
that.

> If you want to get cheap print then I would suggest to go with Epson
> cuz you can get OEM catridge for around $3-4 a pop comparing to the
> original $20-25, or HP ink cartridge costs around $30 average (some
> cheaper some more expensive) unless your friend refill his/her ink.

"Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> > Me, I just do my printing at SAM's Club 4x6" for 19 cents a pop
> > (Wal-Mart charges 26 cents for 4x6" or $2.86 for 8x10"). It seems
> > cheaper than paying for ink, photo paper, and the photo will last much
> > longer.
>
> I have a Canon i850. The cost of ink for a 8.5 x 11 photo is 2 cents
> when I refill. Quality is much better than either Sam's or WalMart.
> Glossy photo paper is about 35 cents per page, matte is about half
> that.

I may have to believe it costs you 2 cents (water?) but I will have to
wait for few more days to believe yours is better than Sam's or
Wal-Mart.

Just remind me few days later so I will say "I believe you" <g>. I
was doing lot of printing and have been refilling my ink for many years,
and even using Continous Ink System which I don't even have to replace
ink cartridge every few refills, and I still can't see 2 cents per print
unless I print on emptied cartridge or water <g>.

I have the Canon i860. Purchased it at Staples for $149 with $20
rebate gift card.

I love the quality of print, text and photo. I don't print very often
but it is always ready to go when I am without having to do a bunch of
cleanings before printing anything like I had to with my Epson. I
mainly like it for the separate cartridges which I can get 2 sets for
about $30.

Hope this helps,
Debbie


On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 20:38:16 -0600, (E-Mail Removed) (Joel) wrote:

>"Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> > Me, I just do my printing at SAM's Club 4x6" for 19 cents a pop
>> > (Wal-Mart charges 26 cents for 4x6" or $2.86 for 8x10"). It seems
>> > cheaper than paying for ink, photo paper, and the photo will last much
>> > longer.
>>
>> I have a Canon i850. The cost of ink for a 8.5 x 11 photo is 2 cents
>> when I refill. Quality is much better than either Sam's or WalMart.
>> Glossy photo paper is about 35 cents per page, matte is about half
>> that.
>
> I may have to believe it costs you 2 cents (water?) but I will have to
>wait for few more days to believe yours is better than Sam's or
>Wal-Mart.
>
> Just remind me few days later so I will say "I believe you" <g>. I
>was doing lot of printing and have been refilling my ink for many years,
>and even using Continous Ink System which I don't even have to replace
>ink cartridge every few refills, and I still can't see 2 cents per print
>unless I print on emptied cartridge or water <g>.

Debbie <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I have the Canon i860. Purchased it at Staples for $149 with $20
> rebate gift card.
>
> I love the quality of print, text and photo. I don't print very often
> but it is always ready to go when I am without having to do a bunch of
> cleanings before printing anything like I had to with my Epson. I
> mainly like it for the separate cartridges which I can get 2 sets for
> about $30.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Debbie

Before photolab like Wal-Mart, SAM's club and many other online do the
printing (it was pretty expensive when they first available) I used to
print my own for many years til photolab like Wal-Mart and SAM's Club
accept printing on CD or online.

I shoot lot of photos with digital camera, use Photoshop to crop, and
some adjusting then either upload to Wal-Mart (for friends and others to
pick their own print, sometime I upload 500-600 photos at once) or burn
to CD and let either Wal-Mart or SAM's take care of the printing
(cheaper and the photos last much longer).

Also, the photos taken by digital camera has much better quality than
35mm camera.

> On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 20:38:16 -0600, (E-Mail Removed) (Joel) wrote:
>
> >"Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> > Me, I just do my printing at SAM's Club 4x6" for 19 cents a pop
> >> > (Wal-Mart charges 26 cents for 4x6" or $2.86 for 8x10"). It seems
> >> > cheaper than paying for ink, photo paper, and the photo will last much
> >> > longer.
> >>
> >> I have a Canon i850. The cost of ink for a 8.5 x 11 photo is 2 cents
> >> when I refill. Quality is much better than either Sam's or WalMart.
> >> Glossy photo paper is about 35 cents per page, matte is about half
> >> that.
> >
> > I may have to believe it costs you 2 cents (water?) but I will have to
> >wait for few more days to believe yours is better than Sam's or
> >Wal-Mart.
> >
> > Just remind me few days later so I will say "I believe you" <g>. I
> >was doing lot of printing and have been refilling my ink for many years,
> >and even using Continous Ink System which I don't even have to replace
> >ink cartridge every few refills, and I still can't see 2 cents per print
> >unless I print on emptied cartridge or water <g>.

"Joel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
"Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I may have to believe it costs you 2 cents (water?) but I will have to
> wait for few more days to believe yours is better than Sam's or
> Wal-Mart.


> Just remind me few days later so I will say "I believe you" <g>. I
> was doing lot of printing and have been refilling my ink for many years,
> and even using Continous Ink System which I don't even have to replace
> ink cartridge every few refills, and I still can't see 2 cents per print
> unless I print on emptied cartridge or water <g>.

Bulk ink is about $2 per ounce. I get about 100 prints per ounce.
I don't care if you believe my math or not.

I tried Wal-Mart and was not satisfied with the results. Since you
are proficient with Photoshop try duplicating the my experiment.
Create an image that is pure red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow
in Photoshop. Compare the Wal-Mart and inkjet version to see
which is closer to the pure colors. This can be verified by scanning
the images and looking at the individual channels.

An added benefit of the inkjet is consistent results. It is independent
of the photoprinter calibration and age of the chemicals.

Joel wrote:

> Debbie <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>
>>I have the Canon i860. Purchased it at Staples for $149 with $20
>>rebate gift card.
>>
>>I love the quality of print, text and photo. I don't print very often
>>but it is always ready to go when I am without having to do a bunch of
>>cleanings before printing anything like I had to with my Epson. I
>>mainly like it for the separate cartridges which I can get 2 sets for
>>about $30.
>>
>>Hope this helps,
>>Debbie
>
>
> Before photolab like Wal-Mart, SAM's club and many other online do the
> printing (it was pretty expensive when they first available) I used to
> print my own for many years til photolab like Wal-Mart and SAM's Club
> accept printing on CD or online.
>
> I shoot lot of photos with digital camera, use Photoshop to crop, and
> some adjusting then either upload to Wal-Mart (for friends and others to
> pick their own print, sometime I upload 500-600 photos at once) or burn
> to CD and let either Wal-Mart or SAM's take care of the printing
> (cheaper and the photos last much longer).
>
> Also, the photos taken by digital camera has much better quality than
> 35mm camera.
>
>
>>On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 20:38:16 -0600, (E-Mail Removed) (Joel) wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>>Me, I just do my printing at SAM's Club 4x6" for 19 cents a pop
>>>>>(Wal-Mart charges 26 cents for 4x6" or $2.86 for 8x10"). It seems
>>>>>cheaper than paying for ink, photo paper, and the photo will last much
>>>>>longer.
>>>>
>>>>I have a Canon i850. The cost of ink for a 8.5 x 11 photo is 2 cents
>>>>when I refill. Quality is much better than either Sam's or WalMart.
>>>>Glossy photo paper is about 35 cents per page, matte is about half
>>>>that.
>>>
>>> I may have to believe it costs you 2 cents (water?) but I will have to
>>>wait for few more days to believe yours is better than Sam's or
>>>Wal-Mart.
>>>
>>> Just remind me few days later so I will say "I believe you" <g>. I
>>>was doing lot of printing and have been refilling my ink for many years,
>>>and even using Continous Ink System which I don't even have to replace
>>>ink cartridge every few refills, and I still can't see 2 cents per print
>>>unless I print on emptied cartridge or water <g>.
>
>
I have an epson photo 960 (only a small amount out of your price range
unfortunately). Use only original epson cartridges (can't say I've ever
tried anything else so can't compare there). Don't have a clue how much
ink it goes through, but the cleaning cycles uses HUGE amounts. As for
quality...The 960 prints when properly edited in photoshop are MUCH
better than anything you can get ANYWHERE else. I used until recently
profesional print labs (upto $10 for 1 8x10 print) so obviously very
good quality prints, however with the 960 I can print images exactly how
I want them to come out (with colour calibration of monitor priner etc.)
This printer uses slightly better inks that are meant to last as long
as traditional photos (obviously I can't say how good it is for
that...75 years is a long time).

If you know how to use USM (unsharp mask) in photoshop and use a decent
quality printer, printing 300dpi images you'll win every time over
cheaper photolabs (if you look closely).

I use slide film scanned using a 4000dpi scanner. Unless you are using a
top of the range digital SLR at over 10mp this'll beat your image
quality every time.

So...home printing CAN be as good as budget labs (walmart) it CAN be a
lot worse if not done better, but it also (if on decent printer/paper
and processed properly) can allow you to achieve image quality that only
pro print labs can produce (and a lot easier as you don't get problems
in communication if asking for something to be changed on the printout).
I'm not sure about pricing of inks though....

"Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> "Joel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Ray R" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > I may have to believe it costs you 2 cents (water?) but I will have to
> > wait for few more days to believe yours is better than Sam's or
> > Wal-Mart.
>
>
> > Just remind me few days later so I will say "I believe you" <g>. I
> > was doing lot of printing and have been refilling my ink for many years,
> > and even using Continous Ink System which I don't even have to replace
> > ink cartridge every few refills, and I still can't see 2 cents per print
> > unless I print on emptied cartridge or water <g>.
>
> Bulk ink is about $2 per ounce. I get about 100 prints per ounce.
> I don't care if you believe my math or not.
>
> I tried Wal-Mart and was not satisfied with the results. Since you
> are proficient with Photoshop try duplicating the my experiment.
> Create an image that is pure red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow
> in Photoshop. Compare the Wal-Mart and inkjet version to see
> which is closer to the pure colors. This can be verified by scanning
> the images and looking at the individual channels.
>
> An added benefit of the inkjet is consistent results. It is independent
> of the photoprinter calibration and age of the chemicals.

You can get little less than $2 per oz here
https://www.atlanticinkjet.com/showprod.asp?currency=US but still lot
more than 2 cents per 8x10".

I haven't printed any artwork at Wal-Mart but I print lot of portraits
and wedding photos, and the quality are great (much better than printing
from 35mm camera).