Photo Printer?

[Don Mincher]

Printing pictures is generally low priority on my list. I take the picture, adjust in PSE or Corel, print a few 4 X 6's, post a few online, and the rest remain in storage. Some of my 'better ones' (at least to me) are taken off to a commercial photo printer. I would like to print more at home for quicker turn-around. My current printer - HP 6500, while adequate, is far from excellent quality. Help! I'd like to stay within a budget of under $700. Am I being realistic? I'd like to hear from the D300 Loungers as to what might be a good selection.
Thanks, Don

[Ernest]

I too have been looking at printers lately. Not sure I can be of any help, but I think I have decided on the Epson R1900. I was sure a month ago, but in checking user ratings and feedback, I hesitated. Only to further confuse myself, of course. It will do panos, and up to regular 19 x 13 paper prints. Around $400.00 to $450.00 price range. Will probably get one soon.
Good luck....

[Ron Wrucke]

For $700, you can get yourself some pretty good printers. I'd recommend spending some time at photo-i (http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/printers_page.htm). The printer reviews there are very comprehensive, and he doesn't pull any punches (there is still a review up for our 7960/s .. ).

Check out the review for the HP9180. It set a new standard for "home wide-format" printers back in 2006, and still is the best HP of its kind on the market. Since then, Canon and Epson have scrambled to catch up and you can read their latest reviews at photo-i as well .. I think they have - check out the Epson R2880 review (I don't follow Canon printers at all ... ). It used to be that if you had an Epson, you had to have custom profiles made while HP was always excellent out of the box as long as you were using HP inks and papers. Epson finally provides good profiles with their printers, so at this stage of the game, there are some excellent printers available at reasonable prices from both HP and Epson .. good for us !!

[Don Mincher]

Thanks Ron,
I think ultimately, the 'devil is in the ink!' By that I mean, the best printer (at a given price range), is almost a non-issue. It's the inks that will drain your wallet! I'm leaning toward going with what I've got and continuing to use a commercial printer when I want an outstanding print. Thanks again, Don

[Ron Wrucke]

<<It's the inks that will drain your wallet!'>>

.. can't argue with that, but it's more than just printing consumption. Some printers are well known for clogging, and a lot of ink can be wasted in you need to clean clogged heads. I have an old HP-7960 that still produces quality prints and just refuses to die. When (if?) is ever does, I'll probably stick w/ HP - I've been using them since '93 when I got a 1200c which opened up the world of color to me. I'll certainly check out Epson's offerings at the time as well. I've had good luck with photolab prints up to 36" and I have no desire to do any 'large' prints at home so I'm not even sure I want a 13" printer .. not sure where I'd put the monster ???

[Bill Bird]

Epson R1900 is a good printer and I recommend it for people like us! We do not print everyday and the results are nothing short of much more expensive professional printers.