[Quacker]

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but most of us photograph birds, and many of us digiscope birds. I'm sure a lot of us store photographs for fun & personal use/pleasure on our hard drives or transfer to CD etc. or even shre them via email etc.

There must be many who still do the old fashioned thing and print shots, not all of them, but the better ones or "keepers" as they are referred to. I have several older printers (all Epson) and was wondering if anyone has used any of the latest generation of inkjet/photo printers and what they think of them.

I have no preference of make, indeed unless Epson have a printer which produces borderless prints, or at least prints with even or equal (small) borders then I'd gladly try the competition despite good revies for their R300 - which uses 6 separate ink tanks!

Anyone any recommendations, whilst I continue trawling for more reviews? - Again please accept my apologies if this is much off topic.

Steve

[RAH]

Steve,
I have an Epson Stylus Photo 900, which uses the same 6-color ink cartridge (ONE color cartridge) as the very popular Epson 1280. The only difference between the 2 printers is that the 900 only prints on 8.5 inch paper, and is much cheaper (about $150). Using it and Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper yields excellent results. I've noticed a lot of writers in photo magazines use the same combination, although they usually have the 1280. For example, in Popular Photography awhile ago they did a test of B&W prints, comparing a digital image printed with the 1280 and Premium Glossy, versus a conventional 35mm film negative and darkroom printing. The digital came out on top in just about all aspects. But my point is that they used this printer/paper combination for this test.

I think the 900 has been discontinued in favor of some mid-level R-- model, but you can still buy the 1280. I prefer the ONE color cartridge versus the multiples. I don't think you save much over time with the multiples, and will you be able to find them all 2 years from now?

Rich

[CJW]

I've just bought the Canon iP5000 - it's a cracker. About £150-£160

[Quacker]

Unless there's a real "killer" Epson, I think I might try something else - bear in mind, I rarely print (only stunning shots - so as I said, rarely, lol) so cost is not really an issue.

The trouble with Epson (I can't comment on other brands) is that by and large they dislike compatible cartridges.

What do others use? - I will not be interesting in printing beyond A4.

Cheers
Steve

[stevo]

Hi Steve

I bought an Epson R300 photo printer about a week ago it`s a 6 colour model(seperate ink tanks).It can also be used in stand alone because it has slots for your memory card & has a front USB port for direct connection to a camera.More importantly the quality of the prints is fantastic the max resolution I think is 5760x1440dpi.I changed my printer because my old Canon one decided to leave a horizontal & a vertical bar of print which can be best decsribed as looking like sandpaper on the finished print & no amount nozzle cleaning cycles & print head alignment worked.It`s finale was to spray black ink out everywhere.

Cheers Steve.

[christineredgate]

I have been using an HP deskjet 5552 for the last couple of years.The print outs are good esp the A4 size.It does not accept compatible cartridges but HP have dropped their prices now.

[Quacker]

Just to update, and perhaps close this thread, I (despite not wanting to) remained loyal to Epson.

This printer is stunning! I cannot tell the difference between this and photograph at 6x4 - as a further (and cruel) test I blew a pic up to A4 and it is truly magnificent. I don't know how much ink may cost, but I managed to get a complete set of cartridges (original Epson) pluse USB lead and a pack of 20 Extra premium A4 glossy paper for £46.10

oh yes, I get borderless free prints too if i want them!

Flawless!

Steve