If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Printer question: multipurpose vs. dedicated photo, fixed head vs.on-cartridge
I've just picked up a digital point-and-shoot camera (Canon Powershot
A75) and am trying to decide on the best printer to go with it. For my computer printing, I've been using a Lexmark Z11 for the past 5 years, but it's color calibration isn't good enough for printing photos (as an aside, is there software that can view a scan of the printed image, compare it to the original and adjust the image as needed?). I'm just looking to do some basic picture printing, nothing fancy, up to 8x10. I don't anticipate needing slots in the printer to print directly from the memory card, but I wouldn't mind being able to print directly from the camera. My questions are these: 1. I'm considering the HP PSC 1315xi multipurpose printer. For $100, I can get a 6-ink, PictBridge printer along with a scanner (not that I need another one, but my wife would appreciate being able to make copies without using the computer). How does this compare to the Canon i860, which appears to be one of the most recommended dedicated photo printer in the $150 price range. 2. Having a Lexmark, I'm used to replacing my printhead with each cartridge. Costs a bit more, but it's one less thing to go wrong with the printer. I understand that HP similarly has it's printhead on the cartridge, but Epson and Canon have the printhead built into the printer. Am I better off choosing the HP because there's one less built-in part to go bad? I reuse the cartridges on my Lexmark, refilling them until the head eventually clogs (usually because I don't refill it in time and run it dry). Should I be afraid to use refill ink on a Canon for fear of ruining the printhead? Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 02:28:16 GMT, not really me
wrote: I've just picked up a digital point-and-shoot camera (Canon Powershot A75) and am trying to decide on the best printer to go with it. For my computer printing, I've been using a Lexmark Z11 for the past 5 years, but it's color calibration isn't good enough for printing photos (as an aside, is there software that can view a scan of the printed image, compare it to the original and adjust the image as needed?). I'm just looking to do some basic picture printing, nothing fancy, up to 8x10. I don't anticipate needing slots in the printer to print directly from the memory card, but I wouldn't mind being able to print directly from the camera. My questions are these: 1. I'm considering the HP PSC 1315xi multipurpose printer. For $100, I can get a 6-ink, PictBridge printer along with a scanner (not that I need another one, but my wife would appreciate being able to make copies without using the computer). How does this compare to the Canon i860, which appears to be one of the most recommended dedicated photo printer in the $150 price range. 2. Having a Lexmark, I'm used to replacing my printhead with each cartridge. Costs a bit more, but it's one less thing to go wrong with the printer. I understand that HP similarly has it's printhead on the cartridge, but Epson and Canon have the printhead built into the printer. Am I better off choosing the HP because there's one less built-in part to go bad? I reuse the cartridges on my Lexmark, refilling them until the head eventually clogs (usually because I don't refill it in time and run it dry). Should I be afraid to use refill ink on a Canon for fear of ruining the printhead? Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated. The I860 is under $150 plus there is a $30 rebate still in effect from Canon. I would highly recommend the I860 and a low cost popular scanner such as the Canon LIDE20. Bargain hunting should put you around $150 before rebate. My I850 and I960 can remain idle for weeks and my I850 remained idle for 8 weeks with no sign of clogging. I've owned the I850 over one year now and I use bulk ink refilling which is very economical and perfectly matched to the original canon inks. Do not use just any ink. You would want to check here for advise on suppliers. Roughly, refilling with bulk inks cost $4 or so and the tanks hold more than twice that of lexmark cartridges The prints are amazing. WIth proper editing and quality paper, you could make perfect prints without trouble at all. Text is laser sharp and overall the printer is extremely fast. You would not be disappointed with the printer one bit. If you need the one touch scan and print, etc, the scanner software may be setup for that. I highly suggest using a good scanning suite such as Vuescan. With the automated features, you could do your direct printing and the majority of your color adjusting is done for you. (its certainly no replacement for a good photo editor) good luck |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
not really me wrote:
I've just picked up a digital point-and-shoot camera (Canon Powershot A75) and am trying to decide on the best printer to go with it. For my computer printing, I've been using a Lexmark Z11 for the past 5 years, but it's color calibration isn't good enough for printing photos (as an aside, is there software that can view a scan of the printed image, compare it to the original and adjust the image as needed?). I'm just looking to do some basic picture printing, nothing fancy, up to 8x10. I don't anticipate needing slots in the printer to print directly from the memory card, but I wouldn't mind being able to print directly from the camera. My questions are these: 1. I'm considering the HP PSC 1315xi multipurpose printer. For $100, I can get a 6-ink, PictBridge printer along with a scanner (not that I need another one, but my wife would appreciate being able to make copies without using the computer). How does this compare to the Canon i860, which appears to be one of the most recommended dedicated photo printer in the $150 price range. 2. Having a Lexmark, I'm used to replacing my printhead with each cartridge. Costs a bit more, but it's one less thing to go wrong with the printer. I understand that HP similarly has it's printhead on the cartridge, but Epson and Canon have the printhead built into the printer. Am I better off choosing the HP because there's one less built-in part to go bad? I reuse the cartridges on my Lexmark, refilling them until the head eventually clogs (usually because I don't refill it in time and run it dry). Should I be afraid to use refill ink on a Canon for fear of ruining the printhead? Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated. I have had a variety of printers over the years spanning all of the major manufacturers and types of technology. I have completely abandoned any type of printer that has a built in print head. It doesn't really seem to matter who makes them, they will clog. (Granted ... if you are using a $50 printer the issue is moot) My last two printers have been HP's ... one is an old Deskjet 882C (over 4 years old now), and the other is the 7960. Since you get a nice shiny new printhead with each cartridge, the print quality is always top notch. To this day, the 882C prints as sharp and crisp as it did on day one with zero problems. It seems like the Canon Bubblejet printers that I had would always clog if left unused for more than about a week at a time. Very frustrating and expensive. The last printhead I bought cost me $250 at the time (the printer was over $400 in those days). I hate to think how much ink was wasted running the cleaning routine. Lots of paper wasted too ... you stick a sheet of photo paper in, and get a botched print due to a clog. blech. My experience with Epson stuff was not much better... I originally thought that Canon printers with the individual color ink carts made the most sense. Just replace the color that runs out. Problem is, when I looked at true ink cost (how many prints per set of carts) I noticed that the HP's were actually quite a bit more economical even though it "felt" more expensive when you were in the store buying cartridges. Long story short ... I've become sold on HP printers. (No I don't work for HP) :P (* |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Hawk wrote in message
I originally thought that Canon printers with the individual color ink carts made the most sense. Just replace the color that runs out. Problem is, when I looked at true ink cost (how many prints per set of carts) I noticed that the HP's were actually quite a bit more economical even though it "felt" more expensive when you were in the store buying cartridges. This may vary printer to printer. When I was buying a printer/scanner/copier sort of multi-unit a couple years ago, magazine reviews (PC mag I think) tested costs to run them by measuring actual ink usage with test prints. The Canon was something like a third the ink-costs as compared to the comparable HP unit. Mike |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Anoni Moose wrote:
Hawk wrote in message I originally thought that Canon printers with the individual color ink carts made the most sense. Just replace the color that runs out. Problem is, when I looked at true ink cost (how many prints per set of carts) I noticed that the HP's were actually quite a bit more economical even though it "felt" more expensive when you were in the store buying cartridges. This may vary printer to printer. When I was buying a printer/scanner/copier sort of multi-unit a couple years ago, magazine reviews (PC mag I think) tested costs to run them by measuring actual ink usage with test prints. The Canon was something like a third the ink-costs as compared to the comparable HP unit. Very true ... I have not sat down to figure it out yet ... but I'm betting that my 7960 costs a fair bit more to operate than my 882C. My reference point is comparing the average Bubblejet to the average Deskjet a couple of years ago. (* |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Printer question! | Alon Brodski | General | 3 | May 10th 04 05:13 AM |
Looking for a good photo printer | Mr.Mom | Homebuilt PC's | 3 | February 13th 04 06:13 AM |
Question about soft font for laserjet printer | Dennis Ng | Printers | 1 | January 28th 04 06:22 PM |
Canon i960 My personal review | Greg Kamer | Printers | 0 | October 24th 03 08:20 AM |
What is the best photo printer.? | Jerry Schwartz | Printers | 14 | October 16th 03 08:59 PM |