Epson 2200 vs Canon i9900 or ???

[JC Dill]

I need a large format photo quality printer. I'm considering an Epson
2200. I'm concerned about print nozzle clogging, does this model have
a problem with that? What if you haven't used it in a few weeks?
Does it burn a lot of ink in a cleaning cycle?

I'm also looking at the Canon i9900. Downside: It doesn't make
prints larger than 13x19, and it isn't rated to use as many different
papers as the Epson (especially art papers, which is something I do
want to print on). Upside, it prints *much* faster.

The Epson is a pigment ink, the Canon uses a dye ink. Can anyone
point me to a good page comparing the pros and cons of these two ink
systems? I'm also looking for info on aftermarket inks for these 2
printers, and the longevity of those inks.

Thanks!

jc

 

[bmoag]

You can google most of that info yourself.
If you are concerned about color management Epson printers and drivers are
light years ahead of Canon.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

I need a large format photo quality printer. I'm considering an Epson
2200. I'm concerned about print nozzle clogging, does this model have
a problem with that? What if you haven't used it in a few weeks?

You'll probably get a mixed response here: some people will relate tales
of clogging woe; others, myself included, never seem to have a problem. I
think it's down to a mixture of humidity, the type of paper you use,
printer temperature (people hare have reported problems with printers left
in sunlight) and general usage habits.

Does it burn a lot of ink in a cleaning cycle?
Yes.

I'm also looking at the Canon i9900. Downside: It doesn't make
prints larger than 13x19...

Neither does the 2200, unless you use roll paper, which gives you many
less paper choices than cut sheet.

The Epson is a pigment ink, the Canon uses a dye ink. Can anyone
point me to a good page comparing the pros and cons of these two ink
systems?

You'll find a lot of useful information at:
http://www.livick.com/method/inkjet/pg1.htm

A post to this group last December is also very informative:
http://urlsnip.com/994786

Jon.

 

[Douglas]

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1003

Check out the printers here!

 

[measekite]

And light years behind in speed and a few years behind in print quality.

 

[Safetymom123]

For archival information go to www.wilhelm-research.com

 

[Jon O'Brien]

For archival information go to www.wilhelm-research.com

But be aware that all Wilhelm's tests are carried out under /fluorescent/
light, which doesn't tell you much about longevity under incandescent
light or sunlight. That's why I prefer Stephen Livick's test procedure and
trust his results over those from Wilhelm.

Jon.

 

[Toby]

Print quality is comparable, with Canon having a slightly wider color gamut
and the Epson getting the nod for shadow detail. The Canon is much faster,
but that must be balanced against the longevity of the Epson inks. Pigment
inks are much more stable and less prone to fading in the presence of light
and chemical pollutants than dye inks.

I have the Japanese equivalent of the 2200 and have been most impressed with
the Epson drivers for flexibility, control and accuracy. I don't know about
the Canon. The only time I ever had a problem with head clogs was in using
recycled inks. Otherwise the printer sometimes goes for many weeks without
being switched on, but has always fired right up when asked.

FYI here in Japan Epson has introduced a new wide format printer that uses
the latest Ultrachrome-P (I believe) inks (same as the R800 in the US). Even
better longevity than the G inks (such as the 2200), much faster print times
(although still not as fast as the Canon), improved color gamut, supposedly
lower consumables costs, and the possibility of printing true glossy without
bronzing. It should be available in the US in the spring.

Toby