Decent printer for pictures?

[Larry Gude]

I'm interested in a good quality color printer for photog student to print pics with and also can handle traditional printer duties. Under $500 would be nice.

Any suggestions?

 

[JEB]

Epson stylus PHOTO R280
very good reviews
prints 11x8.5 and smaller 4x6 etc.
4 ink cartridges, not 1 multipak.
Shouldn't break the bank.
I use it alot.

 

[itsbob]

Agree with Epson. The write ups all rave about the quality of their "archival inks" and their ability to fight fading.

I have pictures of Bubba on my wall in my office, printed on a Canon printer with Canon ink and photo paper, and they've all faded like they are 15 years old.

I've been looking at Epson (do they make salt too?) for awhile, I just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Oh, and a good photo printer can be had for <100, becasue they know they are going to get you when you come back for ink.

 

[GWguy]

I'll agree with the above. I've had great quality and service from epson. I will not buy an HP, primarily for the software. It sucks.

That said, If you need photographic film quality output, you have to stay with an inkjet. If you don't need the extreme quality, there are some really decent color laser printers out now for under $500. Inkjet is notorious for clogging jets, fussy maintenance, and higher-than-you-paid-for-the-whole-printer replacement inks. Laser can sit idle for months with no degradation or maintenance, low cost (relative) to replace a cartridge, fast print speeds and as you are looking for, a good general duty printer.

Go to Staples or wherever and run a few test pages from the lasers to see if they meet your needs.

 

[belvak]

I LOVE my Epson Stylus!! Makes great prints. Here are a couple within your price range that may interest you. Note that they copy and scan too. I love the scanning feature. I have started scanning lots of old baby pics, wedding pics, etc. and the quality of the prints after scanning is really good.

Epson Artisan 800 at Staples®

Epson Artisan 700 at Staples®

 

[Larry Gude]

how...

I LOVE my Epson Stylus!! Makes great prints. Here are a couple within your price range that may interest you. Note that they copy and scan too. I love the scanning feature. I have started scanning lots of old baby pics, wedding pics, etc. and the quality of the prints after scanning is really good.

Epson Artisan 800 at Staples®

Epson Artisan 700 at Staples®

...does inkjet and laser relate to what bob is saying in terms of fading?

 

[belvak]

...does inkjet and laser relate to what bob is saying in terms of fading?

Not sure. I've always had inkjets. For one thing, laser was out of my budget and for another, I always heard that inkjet gave better photo prints. I haven't noticed any fading with any of my Epson prints. Photos up on my wall here at work look just as good today as they did when I put them up. Some are a few years old now.

 

[GWguy]

...does inkjet and laser relate to what bob is saying in terms of fading?

The Epson with the "never fade" inks are pretty good. Laser prints are pretty much forever, unless you put them in direct sun for weeks. Anything will fade under that. Also important for long-term is the paper. Low acid paper will not brown over time or change the color of the image printed on it.

I also found that the standard inkjet inks and paper absorb cigarette smoke, turning them brown in a VERY short period of time. I printed 2 pictures of a family get together, in-laws hung theirs on the fridge. They were heavy smokers. In just a few months, mine looked fine, theirs was brown, faded and very ugly.

 

[itsbob]

To add a little clarification to my fading issue.

None of the pictures mentioned are ever in direct sunlight, they are sitting in my office facing away from the window on my bookcase.

None of the pictures are older than 2.5 - 3 years, the oldest picture is dated January 2006, most are much younger than that.

 

[Larry Gude]

...

To add a little clarification to my fading issue.

None of the pictures mentioned are ever in direct sunlight, they are sitting in my office facing away from the window on my bookcase.

None of the pictures are older than 2.5 - 3 years, the oldest picture is dated January 2006, most are much younger than that.

...Ok, so, is this an inkjet v. laser issue or JUST Epsom is so much better, either way?

 

[GWguy]

...Ok, so, is this an inkjet v. laser issue or JUST Epsom is so much better, either way?

In the inkjet world, Epson non-fade inks are just plain better than the other inkjets.

In the laser world, I have yet to see a color print fade under normal indoor use.

BUT... the clarity and resolution of the inkjet surpasses the laser right now.

 

[itsbob]

...Ok, so, is this an inkjet v. laser issue or JUST Epsom is so much better, either way?

Ink issue.

Epson write ups (like Consumer Reports) all mention their ink and how much more resistant to fading it is than other printers inkes.

They even use terms like "archival quality", resistance to fading, water proof, less transferance.. etc. etc.

 

[GWguy]

Maybe a suggestion:

Get 2 printers. Get a good high resolution quality inkjet for photos and a low cost laser for daily use. Combined could easily still be less than $500.

 

[Larry Gude]

...

Maybe a suggestion:

Get 2 printers. Get a good high resolution quality inkjet for photos and a low cost laser for daily use. Combined could easily still be less than $500.

...a man after my own heart!!!

That's why I ahve two 4 wheelers; one for going fast. The other for going faster.

 

[GWguy]

...a man after my own heart!!!

That's why I ahve two 4 wheelers; one for going fast. The other for going faster.

That's what I have, actually. An Epson for pictures, and an 18 y/o Apple Laserwriter 360 for b/w hardcopies. Blasted thing won't die.....

 

[RadioPatrol]

I'm interested in a good quality color printer for photog student to print pics with and also can handle traditional printer duties. Under $500 would be nice.

Any suggestions?

I had an HP 1610 that was great for Photos ... even with out the Photo Ink Ctg ... just the standard color one it was:

Black
Color
Photo

 

[RadioPatrol]

That's what I have, actually. An Epson for pictures, and an 18 y/o Apple Laserwriter 360 for b/w hardcopies. Blasted thing won't die.....

Mom still has a Laser Writer NTII



And I have a HP LJ 5p

 

[Lugnut]

Hey Larry, I was thinking about picking up a printer for pics a while back and talked to JBR13 about it. He convinced me not to g that route based on cost of the printer, picture quality paper, and the ink used for pics.

For the money, you NEVER break even.

I use smugmug now. It's pretty simple to upload your pics, and order the size and quantity you want. Plus they have other products that are capable of putting the pics on as well.


Just a thought.

 

[kom526]

...a man after my own heart!!!

That's why I ahve two 4 wheelers; one for going fast. The other for wrecking.

A buddy of mine (SERIOUS photographer) has a killer printer BUT the ink sets cost over $100 to replace. Some of the paper he uses gets pricey too, $70 for 100 sheets @ 13x19 but the stuff he shoots and prints is awesome.

 

[belvak]

Hey Larry, I was thinking about picking up a printer for pics a while back and talked to JBR13 about it. He convinced me not to g that route based on cost of the printer, picture quality paper, and the ink used for pics.

For the money, you NEVER break even.

When I have "bulk" photos to print, I go through an online service too. But every now and then you want/need a photo printed really fast. That's when it's nice to be able to print it at home rather than having to go somewhere and pick them up or have them mailed.