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Sprout Crumble
26-05-2009, 23:03
Thought it an idea to have some discussion here as I'm currently looking for a new one.
Epson's have always been really strong here and the range of prices is very competitive from the R1400, through the R1900 up to the Pro2880.
Canon have the 9000 and 9500 (now at mark II). Reviews range from stunning to okay. Unfortunately seem to pricing themselves stupid, with the 9500mk2 at a simply phenomenal £730! Given the only difference from the sub-£500 mark1 is the print-speed (apparently Canon have said thats the only hardware difference), does seem more of an opportunistic price rise (hardly surprising from the people that have given us so many previous golden nugget mark II's like the 24L, 85L, 24TSE and 70-200/4.0is).
HP seems a bit of a dark horse with the B9180. Had some great reviews on release but since faded off.

Anybody have one of these. Looking at a 2880 this week as with the £100 rebate and a store coupon can get one for a ridiculously low £375 but wuld really like some useability opinions, particularly on the black-cartridge swapping and the pathetic size of the ink tanks.
Really want an Epson 3800 but having a hard time justifying it.
Dave B
26-05-2009, 23:20
I love the HP B9180, done some Canvas prints on it using HP's own Canvas and they are really good. The only thing I don't like about it is the way the paper feeds in.

I tried it against the 2880 and preferred the HP, I just couldn't get the Epson to print a decent looking image. This was on a calibrated system with the correct paper profiles etc... Tested it with Gloss and Lustre paper and felt the HP was better.

Dave
Sprout Crumble
17-06-2009, 12:02
Finally purchased a printer and it was none of the above. Found a fantastic price on a new Canon ipf5100. Little on the large side but pretty much the equal of the Epson 3800 quality-wise (ie. near flawless), yet vastly better useability (roll feeder, stand, black ink changes etc).
Got the company to pay a wedge as well so its costing me £425. Warehouse Express are £1605 so obviously chuffed to bits. Will post next week on what its like after it arrives and its set up.
Be nice to have a decent printer thread. Should I remove the A3 and larger bit from the thread title or is nobody bothered?
Wishy
17-06-2009, 13:42
Why not have a printer thread.

A4:
Canon IP4200 - Cracking, good value canon carts (Given they're large tanks). Good media handling, no need to remove the A4 paper to print some photos.

Canon IP4600 - Smaller carts than the IP4200, but a little cheaper to buy and still among the best value for money for manufacturer carts. Print quality on the default driver settings is massively poorer than the IP4200 - images are duller and less contrasty than the IP4200 on the same media - I suspect this is something to do with the new iso standard for how many pages an ink tank should do. Reduce the amount of ink you lay as standard and you get a very attractive looking page count. Up saturation / intensity settings by 15-20% and you get a good image, however.
Sprout Crumble
17-06-2009, 13:54
I'm still using an ip4000. Never had reason to fault it and its a masterclass in good practical design. I'm sure the later ones are a touch better but not felt the urge to spend out and won't until it blows up. Unless Epson/HP come out with an uber-printer in the meantime, its replacement will be the ip4x00.
Shoei
17-06-2009, 15:13
IP4300 here. Been a cracking printer.
Using Ilford Galerie paper with the matching printer profile helps.
Inks last well and Canon inks can be found at a decent price on 'tinernet.
miraclemaxx
17-06-2009, 15:50
I've just purchased a second hand epson 4000 printer with the idea of doing some canvas printing. You get allot of printer for the money (sub £400) for a 17" 8 colour printer with Roll feed. Prints so far look very good but I can't compare it to the latest machines currently available.

Inks look expensive but they are way more cost effective as you're getting 110ml or 220ml of ink compared to the 10ml you get in most A4 desktop printer carts.

Does anywhere offer free profiles to use other than the standard Epson ones? I'd like to experiment on different canvas types.
Sprout Crumble
17-06-2009, 18:12
You'll find some of the paper manufacturers have custom ICC profiles for download on their websites.
paulsaz
17-06-2009, 18:52
Most of the higher end paper manufacturers will have custom icc profiles on their sites. I like permajet paper and though their choice of default profiles is poor they will custom create you your own profile when you buy a pack of paper and send them a couple of test prints.
Sprout Crumble
20-06-2009, 13:07
Its arrived. Currently waiting for my nuts to stop complaining after trying to lift the damn thing. Got to get it up the stairs and on its stand yet. dreading the prospect.

http://sproutey.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/crate.JPG


http://sproutey.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nocrate.JPG
Sprout Crumble
20-06-2009, 15:10
Worst assembly instructions ever. Head sore from multiple impacts with wall.
Boink!
20-06-2009, 17:11
http://sproutey.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nocrate.JPG
Didn't expect to see a printer arrive on a pallet!Christ, that's huge, like six cats wide.
Sprout Crumble
20-06-2009, 17:53
Finally together after four hours of back-breaking. Staggered to find there's not even a USB or Ethernet cable in the box. Never understood that on a £50 printer but this is taking penny-pinching to new heights.. :razz:

The ink bay is something to behold. Twelve 130ml cartridges. Should last ages. Got to give full credit to the EBayer I got it from. Paid on thursday, gave him an extra £29 for saturday delivery on friday and it turned up bang on time this morning. Absolutely flawless and one of my biggest bargains to boot. Well pleased.

http://sproutey.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sorted.jpg
Boink!
20-06-2009, 18:31
Very impressive. Looks like it incorporates a Corby trouser press as well as printing capabilities. :D
driver8
20-06-2009, 19:57
friggin' hell, Sprout Crumble - awesome printer and at a bargain price !

thanks for sharing your story
Taq
20-06-2009, 20:10
That's a serious chunk of printer!
Have a canon MP-610 which is basically an IP5300 with a scanner stuck on the top - great for day to day stuff and the odd photo.

Taq
Sprout Crumble
20-06-2009, 20:49
You should see the monster we have a work for CAD. A1 jobbie (Canon W6400). Not a photo printer by any means although it does a decent enough job if pushed.
aerosoulz
21-06-2009, 00:45
I've just purchased a second hand epson 4000 printer with the idea of doing some canvas printing. You get allot of printer for the money (sub £400) for a 17" 8 colour printer with Roll feed. Prints so far look very good but I can't compare it to the latest machines currently available.

Inks look expensive but they are way more cost effective as you're getting 110ml or 220ml of ink compared to the 10ml you get in most A4 desktop printer carts.

Does anywhere offer free profiles to use other than the standard Epson ones? I'd like to experiment on different canvas types.

Do you have the 4 colour or 8 colour variant? I've currently got a 4 colour, but it sits there doing nothing as the 4 colour inkset only prints matt papers... Been trying to find the 8 colour firmware from somewhere, but to be honest I'm not even sure it would work even if I found it.
miraclemaxx
21-06-2009, 14:36
Its the 8 colour. I'm not sure how you go about switching from 4 to 8. I seem to remember an actual conversion kit we had laying around at work which I think allows the switch from Matte to Photo Black and vise versa.