Re: Printer

Alan Browne wrote:
JD wrote:
RDOC wrote:
On Oct 24, 3:37 pm, Alan Browne <alan.bro...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
RDOC wrote:
I want to buy an inkjet printer that is capable of printing 13 by 19
size images and don't want to spend a fortune. Please give me some
suggestions. Thanks! I am printing for my own pleasure and not for
business use, but enter the images in a camera club competition that
is not for money prizes but for fun.
Epson 3800 or R1900.

Of course then it depends on what you call "a fortune".

I bought a used 3800 (via Craigslist) with ink carts about 50% full for
CAD$750. Then I spent another just under $600 on a full set of carts (9
of them). These carts hold 80ml of ink (why they are more expensive)
OTOH, they last a hell of a lot longer than the typical home printer
carts. (New, it's about $1300 - $1400 with a full set of carts).

My ink cost is close to 1 cent per square inch printed. So a 13x19"
print would cost $2.47 (though I print that size paper to 11x19" most
often ($1.87).

As it happens I very often print on 13x19" paper (cheap stuff is about
$3/ sheet) to 11x17 (1" border). Better paper runs 5 - $10 per sheet or
more.

Over the long run (I print on average 1 to 2 large sheets a week and any
number of smaller proofs and 8.5" x 11" sheets) this printer is saving
me it's cost every year v. lab prints. I've had it 2 years now. It has
gone months without printing and then printed clog free. (I've had a
clog exactly once in two years - and it was immediately following an
identical print that was perfect).

I do sell the odd print so that also offsets my personal printing but
sure does not pay for it.

Anyway, the above is probably more than you're thinking about, but if
you do spot an Epson 3800 at a good price, leap on it. Over the long
term it's worth it.

Consider then, the Epson R1900 - new is about US$600 with a full set of
carts.

I was looking at the Epson R 1900, the Canon Pixma Pro 9000 and HP
Photo Smart Pro 8850. Do you have a preference here of these three?

I use a lower priced Epson Stylus Photo R280($100) and I really like it. The prints are as good as any photo lab print. I compared them.

Does not match the OP's print size requirement.

I'm pretty sure an Epson 3800/R1900 print will outlast R280 print over the long term. It's not the printer - it's the inks. The R280 uses dyes where the 3800/R1900 use pigment based ink. Dyes fade quicker than pigment.

The R280 claims 200 years - when the photo is properly kept in an album.

Pigment inks will last well over 100 years - when on display.

Horses of very different hues.

I'm aware of horses and their varying hues. I used my printer as an example to say I have great results with Epson printers. I suggested he go with the Epson 1400 since he's more of a serious amateur than anything else.

Good to hear that HP still can't produce decent software for their printers. Somethings never change.

--
JD..
.

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