HP 8450 V Canon IP5000 V Epson R800

dod

dod

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It's time to consign my old HP printer to the back of the cupboard. Whilst it hasn't been a bad printer it's showing it's limitations nowadays and costs a small fortune to run.

So, it's time for a change and my favoured options are those in the title. They all seem to provide great results, the Epson appears to produce prints with longer life due to the ink used although the Canon does have the smaller ink drop size and looks like it may have slightly lower runnning costs, and it's cheaper to buy.

Does anyone use one of these and have any views/opinions, good and bad? I've seen alleged print examples in the shops and can't really tell the difference between them.

OR.... given the rave reviews of the R200/R300 should I just save myself some cash and go for one of them?
 
Can't say anything about your first three choices but my R200 produces amazing quality prints using cheap compatible inks.
 
Steep said:
Can't say anything about your first three choices but my R200 produces amazing quality prints using cheap compatible inks.
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That's what's in the back of my mind Steep, everyone says the 200 has amazing quality. I don't see the point of the extras on the R300 personally, but thats just the way I see it. Two quick questions if you don't mind; Does it do borderless A4 and have you had any problems with nozzles clogging?
 
Epson is ultimately the best where printers are concerned. ;)

I use an R300 and never have, and probably bever will, use the extra facilities, so I'd be just as well served by the R200. I've never had the jets clog at all on this printer and it does do borderless prints.

The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink. ;)
 
Brother has a Canon IP 5000, produces excellent prints, borderless etc. Have never used an Epson printer, as they used to be crap, they have improved a very great deal recently though ! :)

My old HP A3 printer is showing its age ! i rarely print A3 on it, but its nice to have when i do actually take a pic worthy of it ! (And yeah it is flippin expensive LOL)
 
CT said:
Epson is ultimately the best where printers are concerned. ;)

I use an R300 and never have, and probably bever will, use the extra facilities, so I'd be just as well served by the R200. I've never had the jets clog at all on this printer and it does do borderless prints.

The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink. ;)
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Thanks CT, I have thought about A3 but being realistic the price you would have to charge for an A3 would mean most of the potential customers probably wouldn't pay it. On the odd occasion an A3 is needed I'll just use Photobox or something.

Am I right in thinking you probably use your printer most days? By all accounts most clogging is occurring with the epsons if you're only using it once a week or less.

Edit: thanks Ian, this is part of the problem in my mind, I can't decide if canon is really almost £100 better than the R200/300 or if you're in part paying for the name.
 
Just did a quick peruse on pcworld and grabbed these !

Specs wise the Canon is better ! But whether that meets your needs or not is another thing ! also the prices make a huge difference too !

Specs for Epson R300
Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution
Up to 15 Pages per minute in black
Up to 15 Pages per minute in colour
5 Integrated Digital Camera Card Readers
Edge to Edge Printing
Up to 6 colour printing
Print direct onto CD facility
Edge to edge printing
USB1.1 & USB2.0 High Speed Connectivity
Windows and Mac compatible


Canon IP5000
Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution
Up to 25 pages per minute in black
Up to 17 pages per minute in colour
Print photos direct via PictBridge
Automatic double sided printing
Four separate ink tanks
Micro-fine 1pl inkjet nozzles
Edge to edge printing
Print direct to DVD and CD discs
Windows and Mac compatible

HP 8450
Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution
Up to 20 pages per minute in black
Up to 20 pages per minute in colour
Built in digital camera card readers
Built in colour LCD preview screen
8 ink photo printing for superb photos
Edge to edge printing
Automatic paper type sensor
USB Interface
Windows and Mac compatible
 
I do use my printer pretty frequently, but I've gone over 2 weeks without using it with no jet clogging. My old Epson used to clog after not being used for a while but the self cleaning function always cleared it.

I've had a few printers over the years and the R300 is the first genuine photo quality printer I've seen. Best results are obtained on Epson Premium Glossy Paper which has a nice weight similar to what you'd expect from a photo of the same size. The 6 colour cartridges makes a big difference to the overall print quality. It's super quiet in operation too.
 
Thanks guys, I think in reality the difference in quality is not really going to be discernible to most people. That leaves things like price, running costs, aesthetics and build quality. I'm going to nip back up to the shop and get a closer look.
 
dod I've had my R200 since January and not had any nozzle clogging at all and yes it does borderless A4. I've even printed a couple of DVDs and they look great.
 
hi ct, i have the epson r300 which i run on bluetooth in another room from my pc, i sometimes have a problem with my photo,s coming out dark which i know is a setting i have wrong, i dont know if you have had this happen on yours ?.
 
right, the HP is out, it's just too bulky.

really impressed with the whole Epson line up, nice build quality, compact, reasonably priced genuine inks and a good choice of compatibles

The canon looks great, but feels less solid than the r200 at more than twice the cost.

An interesting experience though, the assistant immediately recommended the canon because of the resolution. His opinion was that you would easily be able to tell the difference on an A4 but I'm not convinced.
 
dod said:
right, the HP is out, it's just too bulky.

really impressed with the whole Epson line up, nice build quality, compact, reasonably priced genuine inks and a good choice of compatibles

The canon looks great, but feels less solid than the r200 at more than twice the cost.

An interesting experience though, the assistant immediately recommended the canon because of the resolution. His opinion was that you would easily be able to tell the difference on an A4 but I'm not convinced.
Click to expand...

Simple way to prove that mate ! make him do a print out from both on full A4 !
 
stewart said:
hi ct, i have the epson r300 which i run on bluetooth in another room from my pc, i sometimes have a problem with my photo,s coming out dark which i know is a setting i have wrong, i dont know if you have had this happen on yours ?.
Click to expand...

My R300 has printed just what I see on my screen since it came out of the box, so I've never had the problem, although I have had problems setting up previous printers and I know how frustrating it can be. I don't print via Bluetooth, so I've no idea if this is causing your problem, but I'd think not.

The only thing I can suggest is to make sure first of all that you have the default settings and haven't altered any. Check the Epson web site for the latest drivers too. Obviously, what you want to see printed is pretty well what you see displayed on your screen so it's essential that your monitor is properly calibrated.

Make sure that your settings are correct in the printer set up for what you're printing, e.g. Colour Photo, and the print material e.g. Glossy Photo Paper. It depends hpw far you want to go with this, you can install profiles for your monitor and printer from the manufacturers web site.(If they provide them)

If your pics are OK apart from being just dark, then I'd click the 'Advanced' tab in printer set up and increase the gamma setting gradually until you get a result you're happy with and matches what you see on your screen.

I hope that helps mate, but it could be loads of things causing your problems. Good luck with it. :)
 
The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink.
Click to expand...

Lyson photonic inks used with the continous ink system are not only better than the Epson versions but about a tenth of the cost. :)
 
dazzajl said:
Lyson photonic inks used with the continous ink system are not only better than the Epson versions but about a tenth of the cost. :)
Click to expand...

Are they Epson compatible? :)
 
Just had a look, they are with some epsons

Lyson CIS Availability
Epson 1160 CIS (not available in the USA)
Epson 870/890 CIS (with 100% full chips - not available in the USA)
Epson 1270/1280/1290 CIS (with 100% full chips).
Epson 2000P CIS (with 100% full chips).
Epson 2100/2200
Canon S9000 / Canon i9100

It could make sense to look at one of the above machines if you're about to buy an printer and know you'll have a reasonable output.
 
just a pity they're mostly A3, can't justify going there at the moment :(
 
Inks for the R200 -300 are expensive Doddy, especially if you go somewhere like PC World. I'm going to be trying these alternive inks unless anyone has any better ideas. :whistling

http://www.abitech-ink.co.uk/

A neighbour of mine has been using these for months with no probs and the output looks great.
 
CT said:
Epson is ultimately the best where printers are concerned. ;)
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I disagree - I'd say that Epson are the absolute pits. They're right down there with Lexmark, in my book.

I don't find the print quality to be that great, they are not the cheapest to run, either, and the print heads are prone to clogging even if they're regularly used with branded Epson ink. I even had one Epson printer that reported that a new ink cartridge was empty (I'd just put it in!), yet, it wouldn't release the cartridge so I could take it out again.

Printer in the bin where it belongs, and bought an HP. Never had a days trouble with it in over two years.
 
IanC_UK said:
Dod, have you seen this mate ?
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Yeah mate, I have, looks like a good deal. I don't mind second hand but printers are fairly delicate and you know what our transport/delivery system is like :p

Asking the question has messed my head up to be honest. Before hand I was more or less convinced I was going to go for the Canon. Now I'm not sure.
 
Well, I ended up with the R300 :eyesup: Main reason was that I can, if necessary use it on site via the CF reader. The build also just felt better.

First impressions are really very good indeed. Only thing is with borderless on A4 do I just have to accept the fact that there will be some image clipping if I don't want to distort the perspective?

Edit: I've been printing off some of the shots I sold from the weekend. I cannot believe the quality, it absolutely toasts my HP 940 :D
 
Is that because A4 and standard photo size have a different aspect ratio?
 
SammyC said:
Is that because A4 and standard photo size have a different aspect ratio?
Click to expand...

Not exactly. Problem is that A4 and the original image don't have the same aspect ratio. Cropping is inevitable.

A4 = 1:1.4 (approx)
1600x1200 (for example) = 1:1.33
 
dod said:
Well, I ended up with the R300 :eyesup: Main reason was that I can, if necessary use it on site via the CF reader. The build also just felt better.

First impressions are really very good indeed. Only thing is with borderless on A4 do I just have to accept the fact that there will be some image clipping if I don't want to distort the perspective?

Edit: I've been printing off some of the shots I sold from the weekend. I cannot believe the quality, it absolutely toasts my HP 940 :D
Click to expand...


Dod, in the page layout of the Epson driver you have set the borderless expansion to min ?
When I do this there is almost zero cropping.

To add to the discussion on Epson printers.
I use the R1800 ( same as the R800 but A3+ ). I have calibrated my monitor using Spyder 2 and have downloaded the latest drivers and profiles. I find my prints are on the dark side. A simple increase of the shadows by 25% and the prints are fine but I shouldn't have to do this. :Ponders:
I also find the heads clog occasionally if the printer has not been used for a week or so. ( I use genuine Epson ink )
For A4, A3 and A3+ the images are outstanding.
For 6x4 it's cheaper to use an online company at 10p per print.



Cameron
 
funny you say that, I just printed one of a grey horse with trees in the background and it came out dark. Same thing here, adjust the shadows/highlights and it's fine.

I'm also seeing a slight warm colour cast, not enough to be an issue but it's there. Just using the standard driver and profiles though
 
I've tried everything I can think of and the only solution is to increase the shadows by 25% and WYSIWYG.
So I just stick with that.
I print using PS "print with preview" and "ICM" with " no colour managment" in the Epson driver.

I don't see any colour casts.


Cameron
 
Thanks guys, those tips make a considerable improvement :) Link bookmarked as well
 
So Doddy, how does the output compare to proper picture prints (i.e. Jessops quality)?
:)
 
I'm not sure to be honest, I haven't used a high street processor for ages. Be interesting to compare though, if I get the chance I'll pop in and get a couple today and compare them tonight.

This shot looks absolutely stunning in A4 though. Using Ilford Galerie Gloss

horsehead.jpg
 
Sorry I'm late on this Dod, all I have ever used is an Epson printer from my very first dot matrix all them years ago. I am not saying they are better than any other printer but, I've been more than happy with the ones I've had. Inks do clog, which is my only gripe, it can easily be shifted with the clean prog. Print quality is very good and the fact I can use the front reader slots for my cf card is handy. I have actually used mine out at a dog show for a friend, printing straight from the card slot, the prints aren't bad at all.

CT said:
Inks for the R200 -300 are expensive Doddy, especially if you go somewhere like PC World. I'm going to be trying these alternive inks unless anyone has any better ideas. :whistling

http://www.abitech-ink.co.uk/

A neighbour of mine has been using these for months with no probs and the output looks great.
Click to expand...
I was told about a couple of computer stalls at a local carboot fair, They sell epson compatibles for £5 per set, 2 sets for £9... the make is RiDisc. They seem ok to me. So try your local car boot, if not I could send you a set down if you'd like, I'm sure I could get a bigger discount the more I bought. :D
 
dod said:
funny you say that, I just printed one of a grey horse with trees in the background and it came out dark. Same thing here, adjust the shadows/highlights and it's fine.

I'm also seeing a slight warm colour cast, not enough to be an issue but it's there. Just using the standard driver and profiles though
Click to expand...

Hi dod.. :)

I was having the same trouble until I let Photoshop determine the colours instead of the printer doing the job..

Detail arrowed in red how to change for anyone who cares to try.. :Ponders:

printing.jpg
 
thanks bb, is that the newest driver? I haven't loaded it yet. Followed the instructions on the ilford site for the r300 though and prints are coming out a dream right now :)

Kenco, prints on site is exactly why I went for the 300, hoping I won't need to upload everything to the laptop
 
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