what photo printer?

[ptlee]

Does anyone have any comments on the Epson 830 photo printer (@ abt S$239)?

It seems considerably cheaper than Canon's S820, heck, even the older model Canon's S800 (S$299 at some SLS shop) is more expensive.

Hmmm... as for the clogging of Epson printers, would it be somewhat solved in the newer models? How about the cartridges prices?

I could also look at the HP 7150, it has good reviews, but would it take Epson's Heavyweight Matte paper (I've like 2 packs of them)? Since HP uses a different printing technology.

Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks.

-PT-

 

[beluga]

Originally posted by ptlee
Does anyone have any comments on the Epson 830 photo printer (@ abt S$239)?

It seems considerably cheaper than Canon's S820, heck, even the older model Canon's S800 (S$299 at some SLS shop) is more expensive.

Hmmm... as for the clogging of Epson printers, would it be somewhat solved in the newer models? How about the cartridges prices?

I could also look at the HP 7150, it has good reviews, but would it take Epson's Heavyweight Matte paper (I've like 2 packs of them)? Since HP uses a different printing technology.

Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks.

-PT-

It uses single color cartridge. I don't know if it's 4 or 6 color. If it's 4 color type, then it's not so bad. If it's 6 color, a lot of ink wastage it going to happen as photo cyan and photo magenta finish up much faster than the other colors. Once any of the color finishes, you'll have to throw away the entire cartridge. I will still prefer the individual cartridge type.

 

[Zerstorer]

Originally posted by ptlee
Does anyone have any comments on the Epson 830 photo printer (@ abt S$239)?

It seems considerably cheaper than Canon's S820, heck, even the older model Canon's S800 (S$299 at some SLS shop) is more expensive.

Hmmm... as for the clogging of Epson printers, would it be somewhat solved in the newer models? How about the cartridges prices?

I could also look at the HP 7150, it has good reviews, but would it take Epson's Heavyweight Matte paper (I've like 2 packs of them)? Since HP uses a different printing technology.

Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks.

-PT-

Any printer with the "photo" designation in the Epson lineup definitely uses 6colour inks at least.

I've checked out the HP7150 at a friend's place recently and the unfortunate thing was that it came with clogged cartridges even when it was brand new. No amt of cleaning could clear it he had to make a trip down to the service centre the next day. So much for the much vaunted superior HP reliability.;p

You'd better stick to epson if you want to carry on using ur epson paper as using it on a different printer would cause colour differences or even slight smearing due to the different ink. Though you can probably tune it, it might take some effort to get right.

 

[ptlee]

Thanks for the info.

Yeah, the tuning part for the HP 7150 may take some effort, I agree, which is why I didn't really consider HP.

Canon S800 does well with the Epson paper, but the printers are comparably expensive. Managed to get my S600 to print on the paper, but the visible 'dots' irks me after a while though, that's why I want a photo printer.

I reckon the Epson 830 won't have those visible dots? Esp in light coloured areas?

What's the price like for an Epson 5x colour cartridge, as compared to 5x of Canon's think tanks (each I believe is about S$13-S$14).

Thanks.

-PT-

 

[beluga]

Originally posted by ptlee
Thanks for the info.

Yeah, the tuning part for the HP 7150 may take some effort, I agree, which is why I didn't really consider HP.

Canon S800 does well with the Epson paper, but the printers are comparably expensive. Managed to get my S600 to print on the paper, but the visible 'dots' irks me after a while though, that's why I want a photo printer.

I reckon the Epson 830 won't have those visible dots? Esp in light coloured areas?

What's the price like for an Epson 5x colour cartridge, as compared to 5x of Canon's think tanks (each I believe is about S$13-S$14).

Thanks.

-PT-

The cost of the 5x cartridge should be cheaper than 5xindividual cartridge, but what's most important is post per print.

 

[erwinx]

Originally posted by ptlee
Thanks for the info.

Canon S800 does well with the Epson paper, but the printers are comparably expensive. Managed to get my S600 to print on the paper, but the visible 'dots' irks me after a while though, that's why I want a photo printer.


-PT-

Why would you want to print on Epson paper?

Canon Glossy Photo Paper - $0.75/sheet
Canon Photo Paper Pro - $1.25/sheet

are excellent for Canon printers.

 

[ptlee]

Epson heavy weight matte A4, 50pc S$20/=, double-sided heavy weight (for index printing, filing) is only a few dollars more, and heavyweight matte archive about S$26/= (I think).

All much cheaper than Canon's. And personally I prefer the white and matte of the Epson paper.

Oh, and Canon's Glossy Photo paper degrades fast when exposed to air. Just my experience.

Many users in DPreview have also used this Epson heavyweight matte paper on their Canons, with good results ;P Seems like a fav combo.

Hi beluga

Yeah, I reckon so. Shucks. It's a real see-saw between the new Epson 830, and the old Canon S800. Maybe I'll just toss a coin or something :dunno:

I need help....

-PT-

 

[Stevick_Lee]

Originally posted by tanjk


Actually, I'd think it doesn't matter. What matters is the actual pixel count it (the original photo) has. When you send the picture to the printer, you just tell your printer what DPI to print it at and everything else will follow.

For example, you have a 1600x1200 pix. You want to print this picture, you just tell your printer to print at 300 DPI. Your output will be 5.33x4 inches physically. Say you really want big prints, say 12x8. You have to tell your printer that the picture is at 133 DPI, output is you'll get 12x9 inch output. The quality will suffer because you're only printing at 133 DPI.

Does all these make sense?

Regards,
JK

Pardon me for ignorance, Tanjk how do we see whether the printer is printing at 300dpi? Or how do adjust that? Me only using a Epson 680 printer and software used Photoshop. Pls advice. Thx.

Stevick

 

[pyre]

ptlee - i have been hunting around for a general purpose cum photo printer. i suppose u could try the Epson 895. It is an old workhorse, may not have the super-fancy specs like the newer models (830/915/925) but prices have dropped to a level till i think it has stabilized.

The newer models seem to be getting very mixed reviews so i am abit wary about getting them for the moment but the 895 by all accounts so far has been a successful product. If nothing else it does do decent text printing as well (in my case). Oh another nice feature the 895 has over the 830 is roll paper feeder. That is if u really need it. Do note that I think the 895 uses 2 carts only, but problem could be overcome if u use a CIS.

i would like to get a Canon 900 or 9000, but reports of banding from dpreview's site and my inability to do any actual test prints have restricted me to the Epson brand. If there are S900/S9K owners who are reading my post and are willing to show me their picture output quality, i would certainly like to see it to make a decision. the appeal of the canon printers is their speed. but like u mentioned, their paper range is limited, i suppose u could chuck in an epson paper in a canon printer right? (heaven forbid nothing catastrophic would happen )

And if u r serious about printing, order a CIS system and print to ur heart's content. Especially for photo sizes above 4R.

beluga - do u know if there are any shops that bring in CIS equipment, my queries among the shops in SLS and Funan have turned up stares at me as if i grown an extra head.

 

[beluga]

Originally posted by pyre

beluga - do u know if there are any shops that bring in CIS equipment, my queries among the shops in SLS and Funan have turned up stares at me as if i grown an extra head.

Not that I know of. After researching for some time in DPreview, i give up the idea of using ink jet here in Singapore. It's too limited compared to US. It's expensive, ink and paper's choice is limited. Getting a decent 3rd party ink is tough enough, what more about CIS? On top of that, even if you get all that you want, there's the problem of color permanence and the tweaking of ICC profiles to get the correct color.

However, I think there's some hope if we can form a group here and mass buy the consumables like inks and papers. This I think is the best bet.

 

[ptlee]

Thanks pyre,

Most informative indeed. Unfortunately the 895 is a bit out of my $pec$, that's why I was looking at the Epson 830, cheaper.

Besides the 895 with the direct printing and memory card support is something I won't be using. I only want a decent Photo printer that can avoid printing those 'dots', esp at lightly coloured areas.

My usage pattern is moderate printing, but if I'm busy with work, the printer may sit idle for a week or so, which is why I'm a bit worried about clogging.

As for CIS, that's some continuous Ink device isn't it? Heh heh, I can understand those strange stares from SLS. Didn't think about it, but if the price is right...

I have read in dpreview that Epson's heavyweight Matte archival produces good results with Canons, can't find the thread because the search engine in dpreview is down now. Can try this to see some feedback http://www.canons900.co.uk/papers.htm
Ummmm.. I dunno if it'll blow up your canon printer though...

Think I'll just go for the Canon S800 @ S$299/=.

-ptl-

Originally posted by pyre
ptlee - i have been hunting around for a general purpose cum photo printer. i suppose u could try the Epson 895. It is an old workhorse, may not have the super-fancy specs like the newer models (830/915/925) but prices have dropped to a level till i think it has stabilized.

The newer models seem to be getting very mixed reviews so i am abit wary about getting them for the moment but the 895 by all accounts so far has been a successful product. If nothing else it does do decent text printing as well (in my case). Oh another nice feature the 895 has over the 830 is roll paper feeder. That is if u really need it. Do note that I think the 895 uses 2 carts only, but problem could be overcome if u use a CIS.

i would like to get a Canon 900 or 9000, but reports of banding from dpreview's site and my inability to do any actual test prints have restricted me to the Epson brand. If there are S900/S9K owners who are reading my post and are willing to show me their picture output quality, i would certainly like to see it to make a decision. the appeal of the canon printers is their speed. but like u mentioned, their paper range is limited, i suppose u could chuck in an epson paper in a canon printer right? (heaven forbid nothing catastrophic would happen )

And if u r serious about printing, order a CIS system and print to ur heart's content. Especially for photo sizes above 4R.

beluga - do u know if there are any shops that bring in CIS equipment, my queries among the shops in SLS and Funan have turned up stares at me as if i grown an extra head.

 

[nuts]

Have u tried Canon's Showroom in Funan? Last time when I was shopping for my printer, I just went to the showroom with a CD of an image (from my then Canon G1 actually) and asked them to print it on the S800. Obliged w/o any qns asked using their Photo Paper Pro. Epson showroom in Funan wanted to charge me for the test prints, so I walked out.

And yes, the Epson heavyweight matte is/was very popular in dpreview on the S800. At $20 for 50 sheets, yeah, can use for general index printing, and I even use it as jewel case inserts!

..NuTs..

Originally posted by pyre

i would like to get a Canon 900 or 9000, but reports of banding from dpreview's site and my inability to do any actual test prints have restricted me to the Epson brand. If there are S900/S9K owners who are reading my post and are willing to show me their picture output quality, i would certainly like to see it to make a decision. the appeal of the canon printers is their speed. but like u mentioned, their paper range is limited, i suppose u could chuck in an epson paper in a canon printer right? (heaven forbid nothing catastrophic would happen )

 

[ptlee]

Hi Nuts,

Sounds like you have the S800, how is it?

-ptl-

 

[nuts]

Originally posted by ptlee
Hi Nuts,

Sounds like you have the S800, how is it?

-ptl-

well, its picky on papers, and initially, I tried to customise it for other cheaper papers, but realised that my paper usage is not that high, so its easier for me to just use Canon's Photo Paper Pro and out comes beautiful prints (of course, I gotta go get some beautiful pics 1st... )
Bottomline, no regrets.... (except that its $299 now & I got it for $500+ )

..NuTs..

 

[tanjk]

Originally posted by Stevick_Lee



Pardon me for ignorance, Tanjk how do we see whether the printer is printing at 300dpi? Or how do adjust that? Me only using a Epson 680 printer and software used Photoshop. Pls advice. Thx.

Stevick

How ahr? Your printer driver should come with an option for you to select the DPI you want to print. Okie, I admit I don't own any inkjets but my laserjets' printer software can ask if I want to print at 600dpi or 300dpi. I'm sure any reputable printer can do that.

And then hor, which shop is selling the S800 at $299????? I'm getting one. CAnnot tahan liow. Imagine I shot 3000 images with my G1 and yet to print a single one of them out!!!! Yeah, finally. Oh..and what's the diff between the 800 and 820? Borderless?

Regards,
JK

 

[tanjk]

Originally posted by nuts

well, its picky on papers, and initially, I tried to customise it for other cheaper papers, but realised that my paper usage is not that high, so its easier for me to just use Canon's Photo Paper Pro and out comes beautiful prints (of course, I gotta go get some beautiful pics 1st... )
Bottomline, no regrets.... (except that its $299 now & I got it for $500+ )

..NuTs..

Oh...NuTs ahr .... the S800 picky about papers ahr? Not that I'm going to feed it plain A4 but just wondering. I have a 6P for other volume printing needs so just curious ...

Regards,
JK

 

[erwinx]

Originally posted by nuts

well, its picky on papers, and initially, I tried to customise it for other cheaper papers, but realised that my paper usage is not that high, so its easier for me to just use Canon's Photo Paper Pro and out comes beautiful prints (of course, I gotta go get some beautiful pics 1st... )
Bottomline, no regrets.... (except that its $299 now & I got it for $500+ )

..NuTs..

i agree about photo paper pro. spend so much on printer and ink, why be stingy about paper. furthermore photo paper pro is supposed to last longer archivally.

 

[ptlee]

Hi tanjk,

PM'ed you, but no reply.

Anyway, Superpet @ SLS is selling it at S$299/=.

Going down soon.

-ptl-

 

[nuts]

erm, sorry but your qn is....?

btw, have also seen the S800 @ $299 in Funan (think its PK computers?) ... probably can pay by CC too...

..NuTs..

Originally posted by tanjk


Oh...NuTs ahr .... the S800 picky about papers ahr? Not that I'm going to feed it plain A4 but just wondering. I have a 6P for other volume printing needs so just curious ...

Regards,
JK

 

[ptlee]

Just got my S800, finally!

Got it rigged up, and printed 4 on 1 using qimage, all I can say is... Wow! Much much better! And quite fast too!

Anyway, I think I took the last unit (at least that's what Martin said) at Superpet.

Perhaps Nuts is right about PK at Funan, otherwise you can try South-Asia, I remember seeing them selling at about 350-odd a few months back, think they may have dropped the price again.

Thanks all.

-ptl-