Post #205,988
5/4/05 9:59:29 PM
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Colour printer recommendation, please.
My wife and I are looking to purchase a new colour printer, primarily for photo-quality. Out limited look at the options has already started confusing her and I know my research is largely out-of-date.
We don't want something too expensive to run (very low end photo printers are very expensive to run). We don't want something that relies on a windows program to do what the printer should be doing (so-called "windows-based" printers) because it can't be networked properly. Separate ink cartridges are the go, but the eight-colour solutions look a bit too marketing-influenced. I'm partial to Canons because of the separately replacableable head; Rachael is partial to Epsons because that's all she's used (but I don't like the permanent heads).
Currently, a medium-high inkjet from Canon (e.g. IP5000) or Epson (e.g. Photo Style R310) is on the cards. However, photo quality requires expensive paper. A colour laserjet might be an option because Epson's lowest, the C1100, is affordable.
Ideas? Thought? Comments? I currently have a BJC-6000, but it's not quite what you call a photo-quality printer.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #205,993
5/4/05 10:11:38 PM
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My Epson Stylus R200 is pretty good
~$80 US. Six cartridges. Good quality on cheap glossy paper. With a good original, you have to get really close to tell it's digital. Has a feed tray to print right on CD/DVDs. There's already a newer model, so if you find a leftover it'll probably be even cheaper. I got a no-name set of all six replacement inks for <$30. They look just as good as the originals.
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #206,003
5/4/05 10:44:04 PM
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I went with an Epson RX600 Photo Stylus
3in1.
One word review from my wife: "AWESOME"
It work plenty good with Linux on all three fronts, Print-Scan-Copy
The Output is stunning. Photos are Near undetectable from full-color proces. Prints full bleed 8.5"x14" or buy a roll of paper and it can print ANY length you want.
The RX600 supports Pict-Bridge external USB Drives, CD Burners, 9 different type of memory sticks, has both color and black and white copying, SCANS like no other scanner I have ever had ... especially with linux.
Overall, *I* give it a 9.7 (only because some of the esoteric modes aren't supported yet... but VERY soon!
The RXseries of printers, are by far best overall. I don;t see anything but good. The setup in CUPS or Magicfilter or Windows is easy. It just plain WORKS!
At $300, to me, it satisfied my wife requirements in one shot. She even went and bought it once I told her what I would buy if I were goiong to. Cheaper than many other printers and best of all it WROKS and is realtively inexpensive on the consumables. I [print by default @ 360x360 bidirectional. It is very nice, prints wonderfully, I can print @ max resolution if I need to from any proggy in GNOME or KDE...
Okay, I'll stop rambling on.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,030
5/5/05 1:51:36 AM
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Okay, that's good.
I knew Linux support for Epsons was better than for Canons. We don't have a flat-bead scanner so a 3-in-1 might be the go. PictBridge would be interesting; I picked up a Nikon D70 for our Duty-Free spree.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #206,031
5/5/05 1:56:42 AM
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Canon, no specific model.
Why?
Separate inks and printheads mean that you get less of a good shafting on consumables with a Canon.
Peter
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu Linux]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
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Post #206,068
5/5/05 9:56:30 AM
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Epson Photo Stylus RXseries has 6 cartridges.
Cyan, Bright Cyan, Magenta, Bright Magenta, Yellow, Black.
You can replace them all one at a time.
They are reasonable in cost.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,076
5/5/05 10:35:30 AM
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No such thing as "reasonable" in inkjet-land
One chooses the printer make and model that gives you less of an arse-raping than the competition.
The arse-raping is not optional. You just get to choose whether you get lubed first, or not.
Peter
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu Linux]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
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Post #206,114
5/5/05 3:12:48 PM
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If you want to print...
It is the cost of printing.
Sure, I don't like it. Sure I can refill if I want. Sure I can buy new if I want.
Like Toner Cartridges are any cheaper? Sure they *LAST* longer, but they have not a less costly price for printing.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,132
5/5/05 4:50:14 PM
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Actually....
...lasers have a much lower cost per page than inkjets, especially for regular black'n'white printing.
Peter
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu Linux]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
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Post #206,143
5/5/05 6:35:48 PM
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I see, same could be said ...
for the Inkjets, since I only have to use one cartridge for it.
Since Black ink is black ink is black ink... I can refill with top quality Epson style ink on Black, for $.30 a refill. I get nearly 500 pages out of that. At 360x360.
Hows that ?
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,094
5/5/05 12:34:00 PM
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Canon is easier to refill, but check DPReview, Photo-i
Epson has gone to "chipping" their ink tanks. Canon's are just molded plastic, so you can buy replacement ink tanks that are designed to be refilled, e.g. [link|http://redrockinnovations.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IJG&Category_Code=R01| at Ink Jet Goodies]
Plus, many of the Canons support automatic duplex printing, which is awesome. I'm very happy with a Canon S9000 and IP3000.
Epson's R1800 and 2200 are interesting since they use pigment inks (claimed life > 100 years), but they're pricey.
As always, [link|http://www.dpreview.com|DP Review] is a good resource (check out the printer forum). A site with excellent printer reviews is Vincent Oliver's [link|http://www.photo-i.co.uk/|Photo-i]
Tony
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Post #206,111
5/5/05 3:05:57 PM
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I have no problem with the "3rd Party" new tanks
For my RX600.
And, those chips are actually for the fullness/amount left sensors.
But, if they try a Lexmark... it won't happen in the USA.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,112
5/5/05 3:07:23 PM
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Seconded ... replacement cartridges in my Epson worked fine
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #206,172
5/5/05 9:22:18 PM
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Epson has had problems with non-Epson ink.
They started making a bit of a fuss about using non-Epson ink, enough that Australian Personal Computer contacted them and asked what was going on. Epson Australia said that they were getting a substantial number of printers in for repair in their service centre that had been damaged with non-Epson ink. This was costing them money and reputation. The solution they chose was to shift their advertising to emphasize the need to use only Epson ink.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
|
Post #206,176
5/5/05 9:28:18 PM
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This is true.
And the reason I bought a Canon when I upgraded from my HP Deskjet 560C. However, I notice that Epson consumables are as cheap as Canon ones nowadays.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
|
Post #206,075
5/5/05 10:34:55 AM
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My wife's Cannon i9100 is nice, but, ...
while it will work with Linux (thanks to Scott et al. here for getting that to work for me) it does work much better with Winders and can have problems if you let the ink get too low (under Linux -RH9/FC2/FC3- you don't get the Windows specific error dialog telling you the ink is too low, it just fails to print, even though the idiot light on the printer remains green).
bcnu,
Mikem
Eine Leute. Eine Welt. Ein F\ufffdhrer.
God Bless America.
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Post #206,816
5/10/05 2:04:19 PM
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On Color laser printers
I have one that I'm very happy with (Konica/Minolta 2300DL - US$408.00). Mind you it's not real fast on color (4ppm) but the quality is great! That being said, Lasers don't use the glossy photo paper that you can get for inkjets; I haven't seen any paper similar to that for lasers.
~~~)-Steven----
"I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country..."
General George S. Patton
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Post #206,817
5/10/05 2:05:15 PM
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Regular Glossy Stock.
Standard thing from paper stores/suppliers.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,906
5/11/05 10:16:31 AM
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Have you used it yourself?
I didn't want to buy a lot of paper I might not be able to use without making sure it would work. Does it still have the same gloss when the toner is fused?
~~~)-Steven----
"I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country..."
General George S. Patton
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Post #207,028
5/11/05 11:33:41 PM
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I have used it...
But not for Photos.
I'll have to try some. In our black printer at work.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #207,081
5/12/05 10:17:32 AM
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Some works, some doesn't.
Some glossy paper will shrivel up in a laser printer. You really have to test the brands available.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #207,085
5/12/05 10:26:27 AM
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There's a difference between..
..glossy stock for laser and for inkjet. The paper will generally be fairly clearly marked.
I use glossy all the time...but use it in my Epson Photo 1200. I have used glossy in lasers at work...if the right paper is used it does hold the gloss. The issue I generally have with color laser is dpi...since most color laser is at 600. Not quite good enough for photos
If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Fudd's First Law of Opposition
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #207,095
5/12/05 11:12:32 AM
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2400x600
looks pretty damn good, and no streaking like you can get from inkjets (just leave the magnifying glass at home.) But I haven't seen any glossy paper marked specifically for laserjets, most if not all have been marked for inkjets.
~~~)-Steven----
"I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country..."
General George S. Patton
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Post #207,100
5/12/05 11:55:22 AM
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Re: 2400x600
[link|http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06c/A10-12771-215517-322563-322563-81855-81857-81858.html|http://h10010.www1.h...-81857-81858.html]
First link I picked up from a google search for "glossy laser paper"
Peter
[link|http://www.ubuntulinux.org|Ubuntu Linux]
[link|http://www.kuro5hin.org|There is no K5 Cabal]
[link|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org|Home]
Use P2P for legitimate purposes!
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Post #207,135
5/12/05 2:52:59 PM
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Seriously here...
Get Astrobrite 95 Glossy paper preferably 48# (glossy is much more dense and therefore heavier)
That is an ultra white paper. The main thing is the heat resistance. If you get "printing press" rated glossy stock, it is heat resistant. There fore should work just fine for a laser.
Now using Printing Press glossy stock, the inkjet ink pools into runs and bubbles. Looks horrendous. Inkjet Photo paper absorbs the ink, and has little imperfections in it. When the water based inks touch... those imperfections float-together like a ClearCoat on a car.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #206,855
5/10/05 8:35:58 PM
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We bought an Epson RX630.
Inkjet printer-scanner-copier with card-reader. The benefits of a colour laserjet were a bit hard to quantify sufficiently. Maybe later.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
|
