Photo printers

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 9:14pm

Hi all,

My Epson Stylus CX4600 has just crapped the bed after two years of great photo printing. Unfortunately, it's way past its warranty period so Epson said they cannot replace it.

So, now I'm in the market for a high-quality photo printer that will yield the same results. I've looked at several Canon units and user reviews, but they have so many models to choose from. It's very difficult to decide.

Can anyone recommend a decent and moderately-priced ($100-$200) photo printer that they've had very good luck with? I'm looking to print numerous 4x6s and some 8x10s, and letter-size document prints once in awhile.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 1:04am

Bump...

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:04am

Why don't you call Epson and ask them what the next-gen is Epson Stylus CX4600? Printers are tricky, a lot of factors come into play: color, speed, cost, maintanence, supplies. Why not stay with what you know?

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:08am

Thanks for the reply. I've considered staying with Epson; however, I've read many horror stories about this model - printing blank pages after trying numerous remedies with no luck - and a lot of Epson's later models also use the same ink technology (DURABrite), so I'm afraid that down the road I'd run into the same problem as the CX4600. I just think it's time to try another brand.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:49am

I consider myself a semi professional photographer and do my own printing. I stick with HP printers. I tried a few other brands, including epson, and never found any as good as HP. However-caution-their customer service is so poor that I have three certified complaints in the mail to the president of the company. If you google HP, you'll find many complaints about HP.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:54am

I got a HP years ago, based on a Consumer Reports recommendation. I've never regretted it. I have to get some new wiring so I can attach it to my laptop because the printer that came with it is terrible!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 2:26pm

Jane, I find it odd that you would recommend a printer that has caused you to send THREE registered letters to the president of the company.

I recently bought an Epson R260. It took some time to get is right, but seems fine now. The prints are actually very nice and it is very affordable. Now the ink, on the other hand...

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 2:40pm

Oh yes Sueleen, you pay for your printer three times over with the cost of ink in just the first few months of ownership, especially with Epsons. And the head cleaning process uses up about 10% of ink in each cartridge (at least on the CX4600). Another reason I want to get away from Epson.

I am currently looking at the HP Photosmart C5180. Anyone got that? It looks like one of their newer models.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:04pm

Sueleen, I have no complaints regarding the performance of the HP printers. The problem lies in the poor if no service you get when you call customer service. For instance, I ordered two boxes of paper from HP. I was home to receive the package. The deliverer left a note saying I was NOT at home. When I went to the Fed Ex office to retreive my package, they would not hand it over the counter to me, although I showed them my ID. I paid for the package, it was mine, I proved I was me, yet they wouldn't let me take it. Why? because HP placed a sticker on it that said I had to receive it at home. I had to leave the Fedex office, go home, and wait for it.

Another example-I called HP to determine if I had the right kind of printing paper since my particular model printer was not listed on the box. I literally was on the phone for over 2 hours, waiting on hold for 5 different people, having to repeat my life's history to each one, and then being transferred to the next. After 2.5 hours, a supervisor told me that my printer was new and that the boxes of paper had been printed before my printer came out. I had to go throug hell to finally get someone to tell me that?

I stand by my statement that the HP printer is the best for me. I'm having a show this spring with the photos I printed from it.

Updated On: 1/12/07 at 03:04 PM

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:07pm

Which printer model do you have, Jane?

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:09pm

the 8350, Mamie.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:10pm

SNLmedia-at one point in time I had both an epson and an HP printer in my possession. I printed out the exact same photograph on both. The difference in color and clarity was remarkable.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:23pm

BTW Sueleen, I just remembered what my third complaint was. There appeared on my credit card statement this month a charge for $34.43 from HP which turned out to be a charge for my calling them on the phone about a shipment. They admitted it was a faulty charge. However, I spent one hour in being connected to person after person in an attempt to request a credit for this erroneous charge. After the one hour, I just couldn't go any further with them and at that point, sent a letter to HP.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:34pm

Thanks for the recommendation, Jane. I'm going to check out the 8350.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:43pm

I have the 8350 because it prints up to 13x19. If you don't need prints that large, you'll be fine with one of their less expensive models. I was using the 8150 for years, and it was marvellous-cost was about $130.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:48pm

Haha, I just was looking at the specs and saw that. I definitely don't need prints that large, just up to 8.5x11. I wonder if I can still get the 8150.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:54pm

I don't think so-I've had it for over 3 y ears and they changed the models. Too bad you don't live here-I'm about to give mine away!

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 4:02pm

I didn't think they sold it anymore.

Ah, so many models to choose from! I'm having a hard time deciding. Each model I look at, I see several consumer reviews which mention a common problem. With the 8250 it's paper feed problems. With another model, it's "ink system failure" errors. This is frustrating.

I suppose I just have to choose one model and dive in.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 4:03pm

Gotcha, Jane. That sounds like a nightmare. And if you get the prints you want, I suppose it is all worth it, right?

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 5:00pm

yes, Sueleen. Since my primary concern is quality of prints, I'll just have to put up with the aggravation!

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 5:06pm

SNL-while we're on the topic of researching - I found that same problem when I was trying to decide what new camera to buy. I must have spent weeks reading reviews of consumers on line. Almost every single model of camera was met with both raves and complaints. Even when they report on "model of the year" they list drawbacks. You're right, you just have to try one and dive in. HP is good about returns though. If you don't like your printer, send it right back-you don't have to pay any shipping costs.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 9:03pm

For what it's worth, I just checked Consumer Reports. They update their ratings on printers all the time and the latest is dated February 2007. It's available to subscribers on line now. Their top rated all-in-one (photo and text) printer is now the Canon Pixma iP5200R - with listed retail price of $230 (you can always find them cheaper than these MSP). It's tops on photo quality, speed in printing (others are a little faster, but the print isn't as good) and cost per print. It's not only top rated, it's also the suggested best buy at the price.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 9:15pm

I also tried a canon and compared the same photo with the epson and HP.

Hey, we all have different tastes. For me, the HP prints a photo which looks the most like what you see on your monitor.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:15pm

You don't have to convince me. I told you I was sold on my old HP printer. I'm afraid it isn't compatible with this laptop so I'm going to have to get a new one. It was interesting that the top three rated printers were Canon and HP came in 4th. I've never seen that before. The actual ratings were very close. They took into consideration things like the cost of the ink cartridges and paper and that had a lot to do with the final results. We're still talking about a difference of .04 cents per picture or 2 seconds in print time. Very little actually. And HP was still ranked as excellent in photo quality.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 11:00pm

Thanks everyone for the discussion. I've decided to go with the Canon PIXMA iP6700D. Wish me luck!