Recommending a printer for photos

Nine_Lives

My sister is in need of a printer. She'll primarily be using it for photos. I asked whether she'd be doing much document printing & she said not.

Criteria:

Reliability good
Ink not expensive
Doesn't go through ink for fun.



I have a HP Deskjet2480. I don't think the ink is the cheapest (debatable i suppose), but this goes through ink like nobodies business IMO. I forget the HP model i had before this but i got a lot more use out of that ink.

santer_2

What is the budget for the printer?

Will compatible inks be used?

WLM21

I was once told, there is really no economic reason why folk should consider home printing of photographs when local and online companies can print out very cheaply.

Nine_Lives

Budget would be a good place to start.

Under £140.

A couple of printer recommendations would be handy - as usually when asking these sort of questions, people generally try & hit as close to the budget as possible. So something around the £140 mark, something at say a £100 budget, just to give an idea.


I don't know how many photos she plans on printing tbh. It's also easier to print from your own printer than having to take a trip into town every time. Plus she will be printing documents i imagine, just not very often.

I haven't asked her whether she wants wired/wireless.

santer_2

Couple of options

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-MG6250-Colour-Printer-Duplex/dp/B005I9JQQC/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356395349&sr=1-6

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Multifunctionals/Inkjet/PIXMA_MG6250/

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/printers/372037/canon-pixma-mg6250/media

Or

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/printers/multifunctionprinters/inkjetmultifunctionprinters/Epson/C11CB18301.html#utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/products/mainunits/overview/10990

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/printers/1288930/epson-stylus-photo-px730wd

The Epson has a front feed paper tray which does have problems with some cheap photo papers, as in it won't pick it up.

I have a couple of Epsons with front feed trays and have not had a problem with photo paper from here.

http://www.photopaperdirect.com/

You can sometimes get their paper cheaper on Amazon, though check for delivery charges etc

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=computers&field-keywords=Photo%20Paper%20Direct

Compatible inks are available for both printers, though the Canon compatibles may have less ink per cartridge.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Capacity-Compatible-Printer-Cartridges-contains/dp/B0069SI15I

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compatible-Cartridges-PX720WD-PX820FWD-Capacity/dp/B0029JHS8W/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356396841&sr=1-5

If you hunt around, you may find compatibles for the Epson which have 21ml of ink per cartridge, though avoid going for ones which are too cheap, as these may clog, which requires head cleaning which uses ink, and sends the waste ink counter up. Once the waste ink counter reaches it programmed limit, you have to use a reset programme.

paddyrg

Personally I would (indeed have) get a Mono laser for documents and start using jessops and their Kin for photos - results are better and cheaper and waterproof. You can even use services where they will mail you the prints to save going out to pick them up.

If she is sure, then have a look at ones which support 'CISS' which are everlasting cartridges connected to tanks of ink, massively cheaper but a lot more fuss than spending out on cartridges, and will void any warranty.

yangptangkipperbang

paddyrg wrote: »

If she is sure, then have a look at ones which support 'CISS' which are everlasting cartridges connected to tanks of ink, massively cheaper but a lot more fuss than spending out on cartridges, and will void any warranty.

I fitted a CISS system to my Canon Pixma a few months back - why I didn't do it years ago - I do not know.

Santer refers to 21ml of ink per cartridge. A refill for my CISS (if I ever need one !) costs £22.99 for 4 X 500ml bottles (1 of each colour ink).

The whole system cost me just over £60 - compared with £40 for a black and a colour Canon cartridge, or about half that for compatibles.
I wouldn't worry about voiding the warranty - you just remove the CISS system and reinsert the original ink cartridges. No different to using compatibles.

[Deleted User]

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about voiding the warranty - you just remove the CISS system and reinsert the original ink cartridges. No different to using compatibles.

Couple of questions;
What's the ink quality like? Does it clog the machine? How does the ink enter the printer? Would I have to remove any lids or ports?

Is my Canon PIXMA MG6350 compatible?

Finally, any recommendations about where to purchase this CISS system?

santer_2

Have heard good things about the systems and service from here

http://www.cityinkexpress.co.uk/ciss/canon/mg6350/mg-series

The one with ink seems good value to start, though their refill prices seem expensive

http://www.cityinkexpress.co.uk/cheap-ink-refills/canon/pixma-mg6350/mg-series

You could look at the ink from here, though check if they have the grey ink

http://shop.ink.co.uk/shop/subcategory/catid/D-Canon/subcatid/Canon+PIXMA+MG6350/site/1/lng/en_EN?shopid=4f0281c367574c7561358c42e0431ed3&visitid=&refid=

yangptangkipperbang

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

What's the ink quality like?

Excellent, I would say very close to OEM ink, certainly better than some compatibles I have used in the past.

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Does it clog the machine?

If it had, I certainly wouldn't be recommending it . As the cost of printing is now so cheap, if I haven't used the printer for a day or two, I run a test page through it just to keeps the nozzles clear.

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

How does the ink enter the printer?

It goes from the storage bottles to the print heads down a "ribbon" pipe:- see below:-

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Would I have to remove any lids or ports?

As I don't know your printer, I can't give a 100% answer to that - but I would think not. My printer required no work other than running the pipes through the machine using self adhesive clamps (supplied) to hold the pipes in place

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Is my Canon PIXMA MG6350 compatible?

Finally, any recommendations about where to purchase this CISS system?

Cityinkexpress is where I got mine and they seem to be the "market leaders". Check their website for your model.

santer wrote: »

The one with ink seems good value to start, though their refill prices seem expensive

There is no pleasing some people - a CIS is an incredibly cheap way to buy printer ink (compared to OEM or even compatible cartridges) but santer still says "their refill prices seem expensive" :rotfl::rotfl:

TBH I would seriously consider buying a complete new system rather than refilling as there will be a point at which your nozzles will start to "die of old age".
I just cannot imagine how many pages my current ink supply will last for - it is a huge number. £60 to do all that is an absolute bargain in any one's language !

santer_2

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

santer still says "their refill prices seem expensive"

City ink want £28:50 for 600ml

Ink.co want £6:68 for 600ml

So, I could hardly recommend the lesser money saving option