Well we've had the threads for what is the best camera, the best lens to improve our scope, the best computer to view your photos on, the best software to edit the photos with, even the best website/company to have photobooks and prints made with.
My question is: what home printer would you reccomend to print good quality photos (up to A4 size)?
I'd like to think I have a growing knowledge about what camera type I prefer/what I want it to do.
I know which lenses I like and which I hope to have in the future.
I know a mac is out of my price range for the forseeable future and I am actually happy with my pc.
Similarly I would love photoshop but I don't have enough money lying around to justify it and paintshop pro meets my current needs.
I've ordered some prints and photos from different sites and know who I would use again.
BUT
I am at a loss at which way to go regarding home printers. I can't afford one which would cost thousands of pounds and need new ink cartridges every other day at £100 a go but equally I don't want to throw my money away on a cheap £50 printer which disapoints me every time I print a photo.
So, pelase can you throw in your 2p to the discussion and let me know your views, do's, do nots and past experiences?
I have a Canon MP560 and I use the Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II. I've been pretty happy with the prints I've made with it. It's not the best printer in the world, but it's wireless, all-in-one, and I like the photo print quality. It's also not huge. The only disappointment I have is the scanner. Things tend to look super washed out when I scan them... specifically my art.
One thing to keep in mind is the paper you're using. I printed some photos using a different type of photo paper and the prints looked no where as good as the prints of the same photo on the Canon paper I use. I think I read somewhere that if you use a Canon printer use Canon paper, if you use an HP printer use HP paper, etc. because they're made for each other. I don't know how accurate that is, though.
Yeah stay away from HP crap crap and oh crap.
I have used cannon, very happy with. used kodak, again happy with, and used a lexmark which I loved,, have had people tell me lexmark are crap, but the one I had was very pricey and well worth it..
epson are good, but all fade within a year or two, hp are good for test prints as well, best bet, labs, either local or online. online labs, i suggest nations or pro photo. local, noritsu printers i think are best. in the UK, not sure. downfall of all home printers is that archival quality is not the greatest.
For photo work, nothing beats the colour reproduction of Epson. Of all the pro photogs I know who print their own work, none use a different brand printer. But, if you're serious about printing, you can't skimp - it is an investment. If you don't have the necessary funds to set up properly, stick with a lab.
I have epson and now in the market for a new one(Photo R230), and was soo happy with the results until the head became clogged, but having said that it lasted four years, did lots of prints, and I was never (until head f***ked up) disapointed with it, I want to try Epson again because i was amazed with the last one, Although lately i have been using my local shop to print, Which is definately less stressful, and the quality is not sloppy either. They also use Epson.
I will be watching this thread with interest, and would be keen to hear what others have to say regarding cannon/hp printers.
Thank you all for your replies, I think I'll have a look at Epson printers an start saving!
@jinximages Unfortunately JInx I rarely have the necessary funds to hand and am used to waiting several months to save up for an item I want. So I'll be sticking with the labs for now but at least I now have an idea of what printer I should aim for and how much I need to save!
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One thing to keep in mind is the paper you're using. I printed some photos using a different type of photo paper and the prints looked no where as good as the prints of the same photo on the Canon paper I use. I think I read somewhere that if you use a Canon printer use Canon paper, if you use an HP printer use HP paper, etc. because they're made for each other. I don't know how accurate that is, though.
I have used cannon, very happy with. used kodak, again happy with, and used a lexmark which I loved,, have had people tell me lexmark are crap, but the one I had was very pricey and well worth it..
I will be watching this thread with interest, and would be keen to hear what others have to say regarding cannon/hp printers.
@jinximages Unfortunately JInx I rarely have the necessary funds to hand and am used to waiting several months to save up for an item I want. So I'll be sticking with the labs for now but at least I now have an idea of what printer I should aim for and how much I need to save!
I've had four friends buy the 7900 series printers in the past 12 months, and all are in love with them.
https://www.epson.com.au/Prographics/products/largeformat/DisplayMain.asp?id=styluspro7900
£2500?!!
And they say money can't buy love.