Printer recommendations

[Steve Maskery]

As I mentined in Tom's thread, I'm in the market for a new printer. I currently have an Epson Stylus something-or-other. The output is good when the heads are clean. The trouble is that I print very rarely, so it dries out and print quality suffers. I suspect this will be the case with any inkjet though, so I don't think I should lay the blame at Epson's door.

It must print directly onto printable DVDs. Everything else is optional. I might consider buying an all-in-one with scanner and copier.

Does anyone have any recs? I don't want to spend money unnecessarily, but I don't want it so entry level that the output is disappointing.

So far, these have caught my eye:
Epson R285
Canon MP630
Canon MP970

Any experience anyone?
Thanks you
Steve

 

[Raggy]

You can't go wrong with an epson, I have had the R200 for a few years now and it is excellent for all types of printing, used mostly for DVD's but good all rounder. Don't know what the current ones are like but going on past experience of 3 previous epson's they are the best

 

[gwaithcoed]

Hello Steve

I have the Epson R300. Had it for about 4 years. I only use continuos compatable inks. It will print on to DVDs although I have never had the need to try mine.
I have just printed off 125 Christmas cards of various scenes of scenes from around my locality.
The printing of photo's is superb.

Alan

 

[Gower]

Hello Steve,
I've had an A3 Epson for years. It cost me £300 odd several years ago. When faced with replacing the cartridges yet again, I bought an All in One Epson RX560 for not a lot more than I would have paid for the cartridges for the A3. I must say that I am delighted with the results including good quality A4 prints. Didn't really want an All In One but it takes so little room on the desk. Hope this may be of help.

PS And it prints onto DVD's.

Jim

 

[Argee]

I've had the R265 for quite a while now. Use the Epson inks and it's brilliant, both photographs, text and CD/DVD printing. If the R285 is the developed model from that, you won't go wrong.

Ray.

 

[devonwoody]

If you have a printer/copier can you still make copies from a book page?
Can you put slides/negatives in a combined unit also?

 

[misterfish]

Unlike others I am currently using a Canon MP610. It prints, scans and photocopies and I am very impressed with what it does. It duplex prints as standard (prints on both sides of paper). It has a paper tray as well as a stack feeder which can cope with reasonable thick card. Also it can print on cds and DVDs. The copier can enlarge/reduce and do other fancy things.

But the important thing is what are the results like - in two words 'absolutely brilliant'.

I'd have no hesitation in recommending this bit of kit.

Misterfish

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you all, gentlemen.

I've found that the Epson RX585 appears to have been dropped (in price, I mean, although maybe that means it's about to be dropped from the range). Plenty of places seem to be offering this still at 110+. SO tis is today's front runner.

I'm pleased to hear that folks are happy with their lot. As I say, I'm happy with mine, when it's working. I just think Ineed to print more often.

DW you can scan from books with ones that have a flip-up lid, copyright permitting, of course.

Cheers
Steve

 

[andycktm]

Steve, just bought the HP photosmart C5280 all in one.
heads Don't dry up, never need cleaning.
Photo's good as Gen. prints,prints on cd's
£60 2 months ago lcd screen stand alone also
Print Heads in cartridge, new cartridge = new heads :wink:

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thanks andy, but you are too late

I've ordered the RX585. We'll see how well we get on.

But thank you for your input.
Cheers
Steve

 

[andycktm]

No problem Steve, i'm sure the printer will be sound

 

[devonwoody]

Now that Steve has commited himself to his replacement printer can I ask whilst this thread is active.

How much does it cost to print 100 A4 photographs on shiny paper for each make of printer on the market.

Perhaps each posting would like to post a quote on their own machine using proprietary ink and then compatible cartridges.

 

[Pip]

Last nights "Gadget Show" ran a test on cost and quality of printers, the link below should get you there, (fingers crossed) wait for the music to stop!

http://fwd.five.tv/videos/top-5-photo-printers
pip

 

[misterfish]

How much does it cost to print 100 A4 photographs on shiny paper for each make of printer on the market.

Funny about coincidence isn't it. Last night on the Gadget Show (Channel 5) they actually did a comparison of 15 printers. Initially cutting the field down to 5 based purely on the quality of the print and then also took the cost of the cartridges into account. I'm not sure when it's repeated but this seems to be a link to the 'watch it again' http://demand.five.tv/Series.aspx?serie ... GadgetShow - you need episode 11 from the list.

If I remember rightly the most expensive print worked out at about 87p for a best quality A4 print and the 'cheapest' about 55p.

Misterfish

 

[devonwoody]

I'm starting to get worried about myself
Things like this or similar keep happening to me :x
I cant even think of something and the wife is on to me like a shot.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I thought the day was starting out too good to be true...

The Canon was my no.2 choice. Bugger.

Heigh ho.

S

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks Pip & Misterfish.
There is a repeat I see tonight on channel Fiver (not channel 5!) at 8pm. My TV times (daily Mail) does not quote anything about printers either yesterday or today.

 

[devonwoody]

Saw the gagdet repeat program last night and the Canon came out on top for the cheapest print and in the top quality print range.

However Epsom compatible cartridges would have most probably have brought a different result and made there prints 40% cheaper in my opinion.