Which Printer?

craig223

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Craig
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Hi,
In the next few weeks I am looking to buy a photo quality printer. Having had a quick look around I have no idea where to start. I do not have an open cheque book but at the same time I see no point in skimping. Professional quality, reliable, versatile and future-proof is basically what (i think) i need.

Also the best (cheapest!) place to buy.

many thanks
Craig
 
A price point would help folk help you.
 
Professional quality, reliable, versatile and future-proof is basically what (i think) i need.

I'm not trying to be funny, but have you considered "professional printers"

Whatever printer you buy will likely be outdated within a year of buying it. Unless you are planning on using it a LOT, then you may find it easier and cheaper to just use a professional printing service? It may sound more expensive, but with bulk-buy discounts, the costs are not necessarily dissimilar...
 
Also if you do go down the home printing route, what size print do you want ?
As well as price point.
 
I actually HAVE a printer capable of lab quality colour and B&W which I rarely use. It is actually cheaper to upload my images to ALDIprint and they appear 48 hours later through my letter box. At 34p for a 12x8 inch print it is not actually economical to do them at home. I now tend to use the home printer for quick one offs etc. I have an R2400 by the way and if you are looking for A3 then I would surely add it's successor onto your short list ie R2880.
 
Thanks for the replies. In answer to some of the questions: price wise under £1K and interms of print size upto A3 would be nice. I had looked at the
R2880.
I had not considered professional printers, which has to be better if it is more cost effective. Still like the idea of being independant though. Is it worth buying a cheapy for 'one offs'? will I get the quality? If I spend Under £300 for instance?
craig
 
Thanks for the replies. In answer to some of the questions: price wise under £1K and interms of print size upto A3 would be nice. I had looked at the
R2880.
I had not considered professional printers, which has to be better if it is more cost effective. Still like the idea of being independant though. Is it worth buying a cheapy for 'one offs'? will I get the quality? If I spend Under £300 for instance?
craig

If your budget is under £1K at A3 then

R2880 + CSI (Lyson is good @£176)

OR better still

pro R3800

The R3800 gives you A2+ but also massive 80ml cartridges. You can get refillable ones too and with these your printer requires no modifications but prints for far longer.
 
How about one of these You can get them for just under £1000 and they are great. Ive had the 3800 (its predecessor)for 3 years and never once had a problem, produced god knows how many prints and loved it from day one. Easy to set up, easy to use, B&W printing is brilliant. If you do consider one then Eric Chan is the man to get all your info from.
gez
 
Don't forget running costs are very high and buying a £1000 pro pinter only makes sense if you have sufficient throughput. I wonder is this for amateur use ( ocassional high quality a3 prints and frequent a4 ones) or pro use?
 
I need a new printer, but A3 would be a one in 500 print. Most will be A4, so if the cost is that high, I will stick
 
An A3 printer with a CISS can be cheaper to run than an A4 with cartridges.
 
I think that an ink jet printer may seem appealing because of its relatively low price tag compared to laser printers. Ink jet is one of the oldest ink jet technologies in use and is fairly mature, it reproduces a digital image. If you want you can search on Internet for more details.
 
If you use a Canon camera, you can print direct from RAW if you have a Canon priter like the MP6xx series (MP620 in my case)

A4 prints are good enough on decent paper - I cannot tell any difference between them and Photobox.
 
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