Not sure which printer to keep of those 3

[casioculture]

- Epson c82 (bought 2002 on seeing its reviews)
- Canon smartbase mp360 (bought early 2004 when I got a new PC)
- Samsung ml-1610 (arrived yesterday, still boxed and sealed)

Logically it'd be the Samsung as I had a recent interest in LaTeX and a
laser printer would be nice for that. I would keep one of the inkjets
if I want to print photos, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps you
guys can help me with the following queries:-

1. Is printing photos at home worthwhile or is it better (quality and
running cost) to just send them to some lab somewhere? (if the latter,
both inkjets go)
2. If printing at home is better, which one of those inkjets would be
better for plain paper (quality and running costs)?

I could answer the questions on running costs for the inkjets, except
that I don't know how long they'd last each. I know that it'd cost me
~£8.70 to replace the 4 cartridges (1 black and 3 colour) of the epson
c82, and it'd cost me £1.75 to replace the 2 cartridges (1 black and 1
colour) of the Canon. Does anyone know how many pages/photos they'd
print?

Thanks.

 

[zakezuke]

- Epson c82 (bought 2002 on seeing its reviews)
- Canon smartbase mp360 (bought early 2004 when I got a new PC)
- Samsung ml-1610 (arrived yesterday, still boxed and sealed)

1. Is printing photos at home worthwhile or is it better (quality and
running cost) to just send them to some lab somewhere? (if the latter,
both inkjets go)
2. If printing at home is better, which one of those inkjets would be
better for plain paper (quality and running costs)?

Idealy you should see for your self and make your own conclusion
between the Epson c82 and the Canon mp360. It's pretty much apples and
oranges. On the one hand you have the mp360 which uses the bci-24 bk
and color... thimble sized cartridges from hell. 9.5ml of ink in the
black IIRC and i'm not sure on the color. The black is rated at 150p @
about 5 quid per. Color i'm not sure but it's pretty small. Cheepo
aftermarket replacements are no problem though but if you were thinking
of OEM it's often better to just buy another printer as the tiny size
yet 10 quid a pop for the color will easily eat into your budget so
much you'd wish you'd never used it. There are worse printers... but
there are better in the 100 quid range.

On the other hand you have the Epson c82. IIRC it offers a huge black
in the 850p range or so. Twinpacks you can have for 40 quid, which the
same volume of text printing would cost you 55 quid on the mp360.
Color isn't so massive but i'd guess there are three tanks at about 13
to 15ml each it's likely a better deal. The c82 uses durabrite pigment
inks which are pretty decent against faiding and look damn good on
plain paper. On photo papers not so good though you can clear coat
your prints for longer life, minimize bronzing, and glossen the matte
finish. Epsons IMHO are fickle creatures though, esp ones like the
c82... there there is a free cleaning manual offered by Arthur Entlich.



1. Is printing photos at home worthwhile?

That depends. I guess 42 a4 prints can be had on the c82 for about 1
quid (assuming 50% yield or so) each plus paper on OEM ink. I'd lean
tward dye printers for photo quality but the end choice is yours.
Check out your local lab for costs and quality, though in many cases a
cheap inkjet with costly ink looks better than many of those lab
prints.

2. If printing at home is better, which one of those inkjets would be
better for plain paper (quality and running costs)?

For running costs, the c82. I would try the mp360 on photo paper first
as dyes tend to do a better job, and though this is not as good as the
ip3000 it's worth looking at. Plain paper though... the c82. If i'm
not mistaken costco in the UK also carries kirkland photo paper which
does a fab job for a reasonable price and is worth checking out.

 

[Lou]

- Epson c82 (bought 2002 on seeing its reviews)
- Canon smartbase mp360 (bought early 2004 when I got a new PC)
- Samsung ml-1610 (arrived yesterday, still boxed and sealed)

Logically it'd be the Samsung as I had a recent interest in LaTeX and a
laser printer would be nice for that. I would keep one of the inkjets
if I want to print photos, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps you
guys can help me with the following queries:-

1. Is printing photos at home worthwhile or is it better (quality and
running cost) to just send them to some lab somewhere? (if the latter,
both inkjets go)
2. If printing at home is better, which one of those inkjets would be
better for plain paper (quality and running costs)?

I could answer the questions on running costs for the inkjets, except
that I don't know how long they'd last each. I know that it'd cost me
~£8.70 to replace the 4 cartridges (1 black and 3 colour) of the epson
c82, and it'd cost me £1.75 to replace the 2 cartridges (1 black and 1
colour) of the Canon. Does anyone know how many pages/photos they'd
print?

Thanks.

In the USA the answer to Q #2 is use a lab.
Can edit, then upload pics to a site and pick up pics locally, often in a
few hours.
Cost is 15-19 cents each for normal pics.

Lou

 

[Edwin Pawlowski]

In the USA the answer to Q #2 is use a lab.
Can edit, then upload pics to a site and pick up pics locally, often in a
few hours.
Cost is 15-19 cents each for normal pics.

In most cases you are correct. The convenience factor has to be considered
also. Need 40 prints later today or tomorrow? The lab as you indicate is
probably best. Need two prints now? Printing them yourself is far cheaper
than the gas to run to even a local store for pickup. Need a few pages for
a presentation? DIY is best (although top quality of not always needed
here)

Most of my "serious" photography is still done with a film SLR, but the
digital gets more total use and the ability to knock out a print for Aunt
Helen to take home is beyond cost factors.

 

[Lou]

In most cases you are correct. The convenience factor has to be considered
also. Need 40 prints later today or tomorrow? The lab as you indicate is
probably best. Need two prints now? Printing them yourself is far cheaper
than the gas to run to even a local store for pickup. Need a few pages for
a presentation? DIY is best (although top quality of not always needed
here)

Most of my "serious" photography is still done with a film SLR, but the
digital gets more total use and the ability to knock out a print for Aunt
Helen to take home is beyond cost factors.

Good points