Billiam

I'm getting exceedingly tempted to get a printer. So I thought I'd post up a little survey to help pacify my urges.

So who here is doing their own 8" x 10" or larger printing?

What printer and paper(s) are you using? Are you happy with them?

Feel free to chime in if you've researched these things but never taken the plunge or you'd purchase something different than what you already own.

moeronn

I've been tempted, but realize that I wouldn't print that often. I have an older Epson that I've only printed a couple of photos on. Everything else is either electronic or sent out.

You'd have to do a significant amount of printing to justify a printer for anything larger than 8x10. I still may get something down the road, though

Billiam

The economics of self printing are, of course, almost always a losing proposition. I freely admit my temptation to take the plunge is based purely on the instant gratification/I want the control/look what I made factors.

It's that last one that's dangerous for me. I have this impression that no matter how good your images may be, you're never going to really "wow!" someone with a letter sized print.

Stapler

My next door neighbor who lets me use his slide scanner in return for tech support has one of those epson battle station printers. When he prints something that matters, like prints of his wifes paintings meant for sale, he gets them done by a trusted pro. The money seems worth it at that point as if the quality isn't up to snuff they will keep working on it till it meets his approval, at their own cost.

Last I was there he was using Ilford paper. The Ink I can't remember the name of, but he buys it from the place that does his prints.

CCColtsicehockey

you want a good printer the epson r2400 or the epson 1280 are really the only to I personally would consider and really am considering myself. I like to print big prints and lots of them and hate having to go places to do it. I might wait a while since I am still in school and can get them printed fairly cheap on campus since they are not trying to make a profit. I mean I can print a 20x30 poster for like $20.

Dan Martin

The Canon iPF5000 or HP Z-series are high on my wish list. In the mean time, I rent a workstation at Pikto and use their Frontier 570 or Epson 9800.

t_in_maine

Best rated from the April issue of Digital Photography magazine is the HP Photosmart Pro B9180. Hefty pricetag though, MSRP $699.

Billiam

I currently have three trains of thought:

A) Just get a 8.5 x 11 dye printer to satisfy my current urges. The most likely candidate here is the Canon ip6700d.

B) Spend the money and get a 13 x 19 capable dye printer so I can have my larger print "wow factor" satisfied. Candidates here are the Canon Pro 9000 and the Epson r1400.

The current generation of dyes seem to be regarded as having much better longevity than those from even 2-3 years ago. I'm not planning on selling any prints and I routinely see the handful of people that I would most likely give prints to so re-printing wouldn't be that big a deal if it ever became necessary.

C) Spend the extra $100 -$200 over the 13 x 19 dye printers and get the Epson r1800 pigment printer.

The new HP may be good, but it currently seems to have a lack of profile support from the third party paper vendors.

The biggest problem I have with any of the 13 x 19 printers is that they're flippin' huge! I could shoe-horn one into my current computer room but it wouldn't be pretty.

ChodTheWacko

I have a friend who jumps all over the photo printing sites when they have their sales on 20x30" prints. Happens once every several months.

Billiam

The more I read about this thing, the sexier it's sounding. It can be had for under $500 if you know where to look.

t_in_maine

I figured it could be found much cheaper than the MSRP.
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