Canon or Epson Photo Printer — Which Model?

[Jim Keener]

Greetings. I'm in the market for a quality photo printer and would value the group's input as to brand and model and reasons for the choice(s).

Thanks.

[Jason Holzworth]

Hi Jim, what is your budget and what size prints are you looking to make?

At times canon has basically been giving away the pro-100, and recently the pigment dye ink pro 10. The pro 100 will give a more vibrant print, but for the long haul the pro 10 is a more desirable printer. But for $50 or less, who can complain about either.

I also have an epson 3880 - which you can sometimes find for about $900 after rebate. My opinion is, i like it the best out of the three...but it costs more.

I also have been using a 24" epson 7800 (it's an older model) for years and it has served me and my clients quite well. I just recently replaced it w/ a 64" epson 11880, but haven't used it yet.

[Steve Kaluski]

Jim, I think there is another issue that you need to also think about, consumables!!!

Personally I prefer to buy Branded inks i.e. Canon, not ones that are refilled because I know when I replace them there is never an issue, but, depending on the printer, buying inks could be a costly part. Inks like Photo Magenta/Cyan will be used far faster than others like black, well certainly with Canon. Also always have spare inks to hand, nothing worse than running out and when the back up inks are replaced order/buy more within a few days before you forget. I tend to go through approximately $1000-1800 in inks per year. So in buying your printer make sure it's 'fit for purpose' and meets your requirements, why have extras if you will never use them, i.e. what size of prints do you plan produce, therefore do you need an A3+ printer? Also don't forget to get to get printer profiles done for the paper you purchase as each paper will react in a different manner with the inks and so the 'profiles' will help.

[Jim Keener]

I am grateful for these replies.

Part of my thinking about buying a printer is to use the printing process as a step to insure I've made the best photograph I can. That said, almost any quality printer would be more able to produce excellent images than I am. At least for now. I was tending towards the Canon Pro-100 as a default choice, and given the current price, think I'll go with that. And, Steve, I agree about the ink. I'll make it a practice to have a backup supply.

Walk well.