Need some help to decide on new printer

[Dimitris Servis]

Hi all

I decided I want to do more printing at home. Up to now I mainly use "home" photo printers. I like printing color photos but also print B&W and negatives for my alternative processes through a home made UV printer. Here's what I am looking for:

1. Print both color and b&w
2. Print on matte and possibly watercolor papers
3. Print negatives on transparencies (Pictorico OHP)
   
4. Use refill inks
5. Print occasionally, maybe not every week
6. Not go bankrupt

I tend to prefer matte papers, never really understood why people like glossy ones since the time we were printing our photos at a lab ...

So I have found these three options for a new printer: (prices given in $ although I live in Europe, if Switzerland is still considered part of it...)

1. New Canon Pro-100 @ $470
2. Used Canon Pro-1 @ $350 but scared of low usage costs
3. Used Epson R2880 @ $300

I also got an R200 for $1 to turn it at some point to a dedicated B&W for proofing.

So my question is: I think the Pro-1 if I do not print that often will be a waste. I guess the R2880 fits my usecase better but it is used. Will the Pro-100 with OEM refill inks suit the purpose on printing on matte papers and transparencies besides everything else? Or should I opt for the safe pigment solution?

Thanks a lot!

Dimitris

 

[The Hat]

Hi Dimitris

I use Canon printers for all of the above except Q 3.

The printer that would suit you the best would be the Pro 100 it can do just about everything you want, I don’t use or know anything about the running cost on an Epson printers.

I have a i9950 (Older model to the Pro 100) and a Pro 1 and neither of them give any trouble with clogging, but the Pro 1 would be is a bit more expensive to run than a Pro 100 because it uses pigment inks..

 

[Dimitris Servis]

Hi Dimitris

I use Canon printers for all of the above except Q 3.

The printer that would suit you the best would be the Pro 100 it can do just about everything you want, I don’t use or know anything about the running cost on an Epson printers.

I have a i9950 (Older model to the Pro 100) and a Pro 1 and neither of them give any trouble with clogging, but the Pro 1 would be is a bit more expensive to run than a Pro 100 because it uses pigment inks..

Hello The Hat

Thanks for the response. I also hope the Pro-100 would be sufficient to get me started, I just thought the pigment inks of the R2880 might be better. Although I understand, the newer inks of the Pro-100 might match the slightly older technology of the R2880, I wonder if when used with third party refill inks those properties are lost and the pigments behave better. No doubt though that on paper, the Pro-100 seems like the most versatile tool.

 

[The Hat]

You should also remember that the Pro 1 uses pigment inks and might be even better than the Pro 100 on the matte papers, with an added plus, it never clogs no matter how long it’s left unused..

 

[Dimitris Servis]

I would go for a used Pro-1, the one that I can get used is still under guarantee, but I am afraid of the costs if it is not used so much. I do not print that much, maybe not even once a week and I know the ink costs are quite high while refills are not yet there. Even then, you need to refill in buckets. That's why I consider the R2880 as an alternative. I can find pretty new Pro-1 for around $350 and sellers say they don't use them after all... it is the largest price drop I guess...

 

[The Hat]

If you feel you’d be more comfortable with the R2880 then your better off going with your gut feeling, but I don’t imagine that printer will like being left idle without clogging up on you for any length of time.

Whereas the Pro 1 can be left idle indefinitely which is a great advantage to know and refilling is quite easy to do also, plus it’s still under guarantee, now all you have to do is decide wisely..

 

[oroblec]

so the pro 1 is as that good ? what method do you use to refill Pro-1 i will get a new canon soon.

 

[The Hat]

so the pro 1 is as that good ? what method do you use to refill Pro-1 i will get a new canon soon.

The pro 1 is what it says it is, it’s a Pro printer with an expensive price tag and not for the faint hearted that can tackle any job professionally.
Refilling the ink tanks is as easy as most of the other Canon printer but just using a different method that is all.
Here is a link to the procedure..
http://www.printerknowledge.com/thr...pro-1-cartridge-with-some-photos-part-1.8668/
http://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/revised-refill-for-pro-1-cartridge-with-photos-part-2.8670/

 

[costadinos]

I'd say go for the Epson, don't worry about it being used. Just check it for possible clogging and total number of prints before buying.
The printhead in the Epsons is permanent and extremely resilient. My R2000 is at over 40000 pages and keeps printing happily.
Not to mention that Epson compatible inks are much more easier to find, and you'll have a much greater selection of manufacturers too.

Being a long time Epson user I'll have to disagree with The Hat. You have to leave the R2880 sitting for a lot longer than a week for clogging to become an issue, provided you use quality ink.
From the printers I have, the R3000/R2880 clog the least. Clogging is only an issue with their pro models (4900, 7900 etc), for some reason beyond my understanding really...

 

[Dimitris Servis]

The pro 1 is what it says it is, it’s a Pro printer with an expensive price tag and not for the faint hearted that can tackle any job professionally.
Refilling the ink tanks is as easy as most of the other Canon printer but just using a different method that is all.
Here is a link to the procedure..
http://www.printerknowledge.com/thr...pro-1-cartridge-with-some-photos-part-1.8668/
http://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/revised-refill-for-pro-1-cartridge-with-photos-part-2.8670/

Oh my poor heart, I wonder if it will sustain the leap into professional printers with Pro-1

... and I actually mean it!