Best Ink Printer for Photos

[DennisC]

I have purchased two different Epson printers (most recent a R340).
Both of them produced excellent results until they experienced nozzle
plugging/failure in about 18/months. I have a color laser and a
monochrome laser that I use for the majority of my printing so the ink
jet is only used for photo printing.

The R340 cyan nozzle plugged/failed today so I will have to purchase
another printer. Before I do that, I am seeking advice from the group
as to their experience with printers. I want one that will last more
then Epson's limited life span.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[DanG]

I have purchased two different Epson printers (most recent a R340).
Both of them produced excellent results until they experienced nozzle
plugging/failure in about 18/months. I have a color laser and a
monochrome laser that I use for the majority of my printing so the ink
jet is only used for photo printing.

The R340 cyan nozzle plugged/failed today so I will have to purchase
another printer. Before I do that, I am seeking advice from the group
as to their experience with printers. I want one that will last more
then Epson's limited life span.

Thanks,

Dennis

The Canon IP4500 is an excellent choice, far more flexible for many type
jobs, and cheaper to operate. IMHO, the 3-color Canon setup produces equal
or better results than the Epson 5-color system, although Canon does offer
5-color systems as well. Even with a lifespan of 18 months, your main
expense will be the ink.

You problems with the Epsons might be related to infrequent use. They like
to be left on 24/7 and used daily. I have a Canon IP4500 and an Epson R280
and prefer the Canon for sharpness and color matching. Although, the
differences are small and often dependant on the image being printed.

 

[DennisC]

The Canon IP4500 is an excellent choice, far more flexible for many type
jobs, and cheaper to operate. IMHO, the 3-color Canon setup produces equal
or better results than the Epson 5-color system, although Canon does offer
5-color systems as well. Even with a lifespan of 18 months, your main
expense will be the ink.

You problems with the Epsons might be related to infrequent use. They like
to be left on 24/7 and used daily. I have a Canon IP4500 and an Epson R280
and prefer the Canon for sharpness and color matching. Although, the
differences are small and often dependant on the image being printed.

Dan,

Thanks for the info. BTW, Epson support told me (after the first
printer nozzle plugged) that the reason it plugged was because I left
it on 24/7. But I think you maybe right. I think when I get a new
printer I will leave it on and print a test page everyday.

Dennis

 

[Bob Headrick]

I have purchased two different Epson printers (most recent a R340).
Both of them produced excellent results until they experienced nozzle
plugging/failure in about 18/months. I have a color laser and a
monochrome laser that I use for the majority of my printing so the ink
jet is only used for photo printing.

The R340 cyan nozzle plugged/failed today so I will have to purchase
another printer. Before I do that, I am seeking advice from the group
as to their experience with printers. I want one that will last more
then Epson's limited life span.

Before you trash the Epson drop an email to Arthur Entlich and request his
Epson head unclogging email. Art is a frequent poster here and has
developed a rather extensive cleaning routine that has a high success rate.

A printer with fixed heads will likely use more ink in servicing than you
will ever print if you only occasionally print photos. For a printer that
is used infrequently you would probably be much better off with a printer
with the printheads built into the ink supply. An HP printer such as the
D5360 might be a good match for your needs.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[DennisC]

Before you trash the Epson drop an email to Arthur Entlich and request his
Epson head unclogging email.  Art is a frequent poster here and has
developed a rather extensive cleaning routine that has a high success rate..

A printer with fixed heads will likely use more ink in servicing than you
will ever print if you only occasionally print photos.   For a printer that
is used infrequently you would probably be much better off with a printer
with the printheads built into the ink supply.  An HP printer such as the
D5360 might be a good match for your needs.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

Bob,

Thanks. Another great post. I did not even know there were printers
that incorporated the printhead into the ink supply. Just proves we
are never too old to learn!

Dennis

 

[Rob.]

Before you trash the Epson drop an email to Arthur Entlich and request
his Epson head unclogging email. Art is a frequent poster here and has
developed a rather extensive cleaning routine that has a high success rate.

A printer with fixed heads will likely use more ink in servicing than
you will ever print if you only occasionally print photos. For a
printer that is used infrequently you would probably be much better off
with a printer with the printheads built into the ink supply. An HP
printer such as the D5360 might be a good match for your needs.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

Bob

At one stage I purchased a HP 7550 printer for photos, one thing I could
not do was to print of the PC 6x4's each time it came out with a 1/2"
dark patch on the end, no matter which paper I used (extra long etc).
yet printing off the card through the printer no problems.

I found the HP type paper expensive and uneconomical. The prints have
been up on a wall for over 3 years without fade tho.

The indian call centre is not particularly helpful BTW.

r

 

[DanG]

Dan,

Thanks for the info. BTW, Epson support told me (after the first
printer nozzle plugged) that the reason it plugged was because I left
it on 24/7. But I think you maybe right. I think when I get a new
printer I will leave it on and print a test page everyday.

Dennis

Who knows. We do know that Epson likes to clog, and they use horrific
amounts of ink in cleaning cycles. I let my Canons auto-shutoff but I use
them every day anyhow.

Contrary to some posters here who have an interest in seeing you buy an HP,
I'll add that they are very expensive to operate and the drivers and
software are some serious crap. I just bought 4 Canon color tanks (B-C-M-Y)
for the Canon for $40 at Amazon. Compatibles are also available.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Who knows. We do know that Epson likes to clog, and they use horrific
amounts of ink in cleaning cycles. I let my Canons auto-shutoff but I use
them every day anyhow.

Whoops! Be careful about generalizing. This condemnation is true, for
sure, when it comes to a particular large group of Epsons. But I know of
at least three different original ink families that Epson has used, and
they're all not the same.

Richard

 

[Robert Peirce]

Contrary to some posters here who have an interest in seeing you buy an HP,
I'll add that they are very expensive to operate and the drivers and
software are some serious crap. I just bought 4 Canon color tanks (B-C-M-Y)
for the Canon for $40 at Amazon. Compatibles are also available.

I have a B9180 that does its own cleaning cycle each day. The
recommendation is to leave it on unless it will be off for at least two
weeks. It uses pigment inks and is comparable to anything from Canon or
Epson. Each has its plusses and minuses.

The B9180 comes ready to network, which I think may be unique, and that
is the way I use it. I have a Mac and have had zero problem with the
drivers. Windows may be more of a problem, but I can't say. The ink
cartridges are expensive, but they also have high capacity.

I also have a Canon i9100. The cartridges are 1/3 the cost but seem to
last less than 1/3 as long. They are also dye. The Canon shuts off
when not in use. The color is good but not as good as the HP,
especially when printing B&W images where the HP is marvelous. That is
why I added the HP.

When I bought the B9180, I also considered printers from Canon and
Epson. I concluded, rightly or wrongly, that the HP would produce
images as good or better than the others and have a lot less problems.
So far I like the prints and I have had no problems. Prints up to 13x19
are a breeze.

Some say Epson printers clog, and I guess some of them do. I also have
an R200 in a vacation home that may set for as long as six weeks between
uses. Only once did I have a very slight clog and one cleaning cycle
corrected it. You can't generalize about Epsons or any other printer.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

In most cases, and particularly with Epson printer using dye inks, as
yours do, the head can be unclogged with a bit of effort and a few cents
worth of materials.

If you wish to pursue this, email me and I will send you a free manual
which explains the ins and outs of this. I neither have anything to
sell you, nor do I distribute or sell your email information.

If you are interested, email me at the address which follows. Mention
the model number.


Art

e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

 

[Bob Headrick]

At one stage I purchased a HP 7550 printer for photos, one thing I could
not do was to print of the PC 6x4's each time it came out with a 1/2" dark
patch on the end, no matter which paper I used (extra long etc). yet
printing off the card through the printer no problems.

It has been a long time since I used a 7550, but my recollection is that it
required tabbed paper - it can print borderless on only 3 sides, and
requires a 0.5" margin at the bottom.

I found the HP type paper expensive and uneconomical. The prints have been
up on a wall for over 3 years without fade tho.

HP now has a variety of "Photo Value Packs" that have paper and print
cartridges bundled. These are typically priced for a total print cost
(paper and ink) of $0.23 - $0.29 per 4x6" print. See
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s..._type=product_detail&product_code=Q7926AN#140
for example, or search for "Photo value pack" on http://www.hp.com

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging