To Canon or Not to Canon...

[Anneli Kriek]

I am such a NEWBIE, so please excuse me if I am ignorant.
I have stated in a previous post that I have my eye on the Epson SC P400/600. Unfortunately I am saving up for this printer but I a am really eager to start with printing my own Graphics right away.
So I stumbled across the Conon Pixma IP 7240 this printer is affordable for me right now, obviously I know it will NOT match the Epson SC P400 or 600.

I just want to know if it will be a good idea to buy the Canon ip7240 and use interim until I can afford the Epson. Or should I just rather save the many?

My main concerns for a printer at this moment is Media Handling, I need it to handle thick media 300gsm - 400gsm, I know that the Canon's specs states that it can handle up to 300gsm (Canon specialised photo paper) but will it handle 300(+)gsm other, non-canon media, Without harming the printer?

I would probably only use OEM cartridges at first.
I would be making +/- 5-15 A4 prints per week, mostly graphics prints and not photo prints.

 

[The Hat]

@Anneli Kriek, You have placed yourself right in the lion’s den now, you’re stuck between the HP beast, a ferocious Canon and two hungry Epson’s, O’ boy choices, choices...

The Epson’s are very limited in what they can do but can handle inks fairly easy, the iP7240 can’t really chew heavy board, despite the speciation, and the HP is too old to be considered a contender at the dinner table.

I am afraid your stuck between a rock and a hard place, no matter which of these machines you choose, none of them will satisfy you for your task in hand, being in the middle of South Africa it’s hard to recommend a suitable printer that you can afford.

The choice is down to an Epson or Canon A3 Pro printer because they are the least likely to let you down and will completely satisfy all of your needs for years to come, as to which one you should get ? well..

I am on the side of Canon because I use them all the time for graphic work on stock up to 350 gm. please remember I have also bought some lemons too that were not fit for purpose.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Epson specifies a thickness up to 1.3mm for the P600, that means that there is a way via the driver to adjust the platen gap - the distance between the nozzle plate and the platen over which the paper is moving - accordingly, if you don't the printhead will smear over the paper if it is thicker. I'm not familiar with the P600 driver but other Epson larger format printers allow settings of the platen gap in 0.1mm increments. It could as well be possible that the platen gap is adjusted automatically via the paper selection in the driver for Epson papers. I'm not familiar with the Canon you mention and how they do it, simpler printers typically have an 'envelope' setting to widen the platen gap, but then you are limited with other quality settings - or you try and find a way to print some sample sheets on such printer, or let somebody do it for you.

 

[Anneli Kriek]

Yes indeed, Choices, choices!!!
Thanks again for great advice.
I am so eager to start printing I think I would have bought myself a hole in my pocket with the ip7240
I think I should just be patient and hopefully at the beginning of next year I would be able to buy a good printer.

I looked around a bit and found a Canon Pro-100 for R8600 (about £460)
and then the Epson P600 for R11300 (about £600)
and then the Epson P400 for R6500 (about £340)
But I think because of the Epson's thick media support of up-to 1.3mm they are in the lead.
Unfortunately an Epson Pro printer is NOT an option its to expensive at R42 000 (about £2200)