19 Replies Latest reply: Jul 15, 2008 10:07 AM by Ann Shelbourne RSS

    Looking at two printers

    Cindy- Community Member
      I am looking at the Canon PIXMA Pro9000 and the Epson 1400. I can get a pretty good deal on either right now.

      Do these have any issues with a MacPro? Tiger 10.4.11? Which one is better?

      Someone mentioned to me today the the print heads of Canon and Epson printers are not in the print cartridge. This is not something I ever gave any thought to. He was trying to get me to get an HP but I don't think so. Something about Canon putting the ink in a canister with the print heads inside the printer itself???
        • 1. Re: Looking at two printers
          Community Member
          Cindy,

          I have used Epson photo printers for the last 10 years. While I dont know which model I will next purchase, I do know it will be an Epson. My point is that I'm loyal to brands that serve me well.

          The Canon printers are reported to be very good these days.

          I don't see that the HP's give any great advantage because the heads come with the cartridge. I've printed thousands of prints on an Epson R1800 and it is still working perfectly.

          Q
          • 2. Re: Looking at two printers
            Allen Wicks Community Member
            What Q said.

            I know neither specific printer, but in general both brands
            i when using photo quality printers
            are capable of excellent photo quality prints
            i on paper matched to the printer.
            Epson's big benefit is a history of being easier to color manage on Macs.
            • 3. Re: Looking at two printers
              Cindy- Community Member
              I can get a Canon PIXMA Pro9000 for $199. Great price. The Epson is about $100 more.
              • 4. Re: Looking at two printers
                LRK 2 MeganK
                Cindy,

                Check to see the price of replacing inks, etc. I still love my Canon i9900 but I think the ink cartridges are a little pricey.

                Linda
                • 5. Re: Looking at two printers
                  Cindy- Community Member
                  Thanks Linda, I will.

                  I just noticed the $199 price for the Canon is a refurbished printer. Is that a problem?
                  • 6. Re: Looking at two printers
                    LRK 2 MeganK
                    > I just noticed the $199 price for the Canon is a refurbished printer. Is that a problem?

                    My guess is that it's not a problem provided it's protected by warranty.
                    • 7. Re: Looking at two printers
                      LRK 2 MeganK
                      Another thought. In the past the Epson printers tended to get clogged with the jets. I've never had a problem with clogging with my Canon printer. You might want to check to see if the new Epsons are better this way.
                      • 8. Re: Looking at two printers
                        Cindy- Community Member
                        I have been reading reviews this morning and am finding the Canon ranks pretty high. Especially when it comes to clogging. The Canon does not seem to have that problem. It also does better when it comes to Mac drivers.

                        When it comes to the comparison of dye/pigment inks, the line between them seems to have gotten narrower with dye inks lasting longer than they used to.

                        I just checked prices of ink and the Epson is higher.

                        The Canon i9900 is a higher end printer.
                        • 9. Re: Looking at two printers
                          Fred Nirque Community Member
                          >with dye inks lasting longer than they used to

                          Longevity is conjecture based on the result of "accelerated" ageing tests usually designed by the manufacturers themselves, or the Wilhelm Institute.
                          ( http://www.wilhelm-research.com/ )

                          The parameters of Epson's own test, for example, bear little relevance to the real world of actual display (for one thing the light source they use is fluorescent tubes). Wilhelm's is more thorough, but is still conjecture.

                          Actual results will only be known after a decade or two of real display time, and historically in the art world pigment is more stable than dye.

                          I stress to anyone buying my prints that the projected fade-resistance of the Ultrachrome K3 inks is that published by both the manufacturer and the Wilhelm Institute and may not be the real performance over actual time and display conditions. Interestingly I've never lost a sale because of this, and that includes sales to art galleries and art museums.
                          • 10. Re: Looking at two printers
                            Community Member
                            ... including the Philadelphia Museum of Art... who were very impressed with your print of "Elia" (which is now in their collection)
                            • 11. Re: Looking at two printers
                              Allen Wicks Community Member
                              >In the past the Epson printers tended to get clogged with the jets.

                              Sorry, that is irrelevant information. That was in the very far distant past, years before you bought your Canon, before the Epson SP2200 even. At the time the SP12xx series were very good printers, better than the competition IMO, even with the issue of print heads that often needed cleaning. The issue was resolved with the SP2200 (now defunct, but many are still printing great photo quality prints) and other Epson printers since then.

                              No matter which brand, the cost of printing is in consumables (paper and ink) so $100 difference in the up front printer cost actually is not all that important.
                              • 12. Re: Looking at two printers
                                Fred Nirque Community Member
                                :-)

                                Thanks to you, Bonnie!
                                • 13. Re: Looking at two printers
                                  Cindy- Community Member
                                  Would you buy a refurbished Canon 9000?
                                  • 14. Re: Looking at two printers
                                    Community Member
                                    Cindy,
                                    First I would buy an Epson before a Canon. But that is my personal choice.
                                    Now two questions for you.
                                    How much money do they want for the refurbished 9000?
                                    Does it have a warranty?
                                    If you're saving a lot and get a warranty, go for it.
                                    Q
                                    • 15. Re: Looking at two printers
                                      Cindy- Community Member
                                      I am going to pass on the refurbished printer. Makes me too nervous. It is only $199 but it is online while there store sells the refurbished printers for $100 more. Makes me wonder what is wrong with the online version.

                                      I have been thinking today that I should hold out until I can get one that uses archival ink.
                                      • 16. Re: Looking at two printers
                                        Allen Wicks Community Member
                                        IMO refurb computers are fine but I would never buy a refurb display or printer.
                                        • 17. Re: Looking at two printers
                                          Community Member
                                          Fred...

                                          "Elia" made it in on quality & emotion of image... all I did was put it where they could see it ;)
                                          • 18. Re: Looking at two printers
                                            GeofferyH Community Member
                                            Go here: http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/printers_page.htm

                                            He does some of the most comprehensive reviews out there. I think both of your candidates are reviewed.
                                            • 19. Re: Looking at two printers
                                              Ann Shelbourne Community Member
                                              I agree with you. And he doesn't pull his punches when something is less than good either.

                                              He also runs some Forums for different products where you will find some very clearly stated opinions and experiences from other users.

                                              http://www.photo-i.co.uk/BB/index.php