Who uses printers?

[thatcherk1]

I am always blown away with prints that I get from Fotoworks(local) or WHCC. Sometimes I have to make adjustments and re-print. Once I get what I want, and usually it's bang-on the first time, It blows away any inkjet print I've seen (given it's glossy, lustre, metallic, or matte). The fact that it's an actual photographic print on chemical paper means it will keep longer, and is more consistently smooth (compared to what I've seen from high end inkjet printers).

And I do paid work for clients, and I trust the process going through my labs. So I don't think it's a matter of control, accuracy and quality. I think it's more of a matter of turn-around time and paper options. Does anyone else have EXTENSIVE experience printing fine art high quality prints through a lab and through a home High quality printer?

 

[thepancakeman]

Hello

Can anyone tell me if Epson Stylus Pro 3880 (A2), or the new R3000 (A3+) print only with black and grey inks, without needing to install the color cartridges, or at least to let them empty on it?

Or does any other printer do that; Epson, HP, Canon or any other?

I would use it only for black and white.

Thank you for your response

I have an older Epson and I will tell you that I will never buy another Epson for this very reason. It is an "all-in-one" printer/scanner/copier/fax as long as it has non-empty ink cartridges. Once there is an empty cartridge, it is a paper-weight--even the scan function will not work until the cartridge is replaced. It's a little older model, so it's possible this is no longer the case, but it's too late as far as I'm concerned--they've lost my business.

 

[awinphoto]

Hello

Can anyone tell me if Epson Stylus Pro 3880 (A2), or the new R3000 (A3+) print only with black and grey inks, without needing to install the color cartridges, or at least to let them empty on it?

Or does any other printer do that; Epson, HP, Canon or any other?

I would use it only for black and white.

Thank you for your response

I have an older Epson and I will tell you that I will never buy another Epson for this very reason. It is an "all-in-one" printer/scanner/copier/fax as long as it has non-empty ink cartridges. Once there is an empty cartridge, it is a paper-weight--even the scan function will not work until the cartridge is replaced. It's a little older model, so it's possible this is no longer the case, but it's too late as far as I'm concerned--they've lost my business.

That's why i hate all-in-ones... they are ok at a lot of things but aren't usually exceptional at any one thing... i usually get dedicated printers/scanners (dont use fax but if i did...)... It takes up more space and money but usually they tend to be more reliable overall... I do dislike the feed system on Epsons, even though i love their print quality... I cant load the feeder with paper or it will start sending multiple sheets at any one time which could screw things up... if they fix the feeder it could be one of the best printers out there...

 

[motorhead]

Re the question about whether colour carts need to be installed if printing in Black & White. It is the case with my R2880 that they must be.

Thats because the printer used the colour cartridges to print monochrome! Yes, thats what I said. Seems odd maybe, but thats what Epson have done on my printer and may well have done the same with other models. The R2880 was regarded as an excellent Black and White printer when it was first released. I tend to use it far more in full colour mode, but I am aware that it was bought for pure monochrome work by many.

 

[7enderbender]

I don't mean this as a criticism. I'm curious who uses printers these days for photos and why? WHCC and Costco are so affordable that I would never buy a printer. WHCC is very affordable for professional quality and Costco is extremely affordable for great pro-sumer quality. Walmart and other stores are pretty dang good too. Turnaround time is very fast, and I've always had the understanding that lightjet printers are superior to any inkjet printer. Am I wrong, do some lightjet printers fall short? Have inkjet printers risen in quality? Is it the convenience of immediacy? I also live in Southern California where there is a walgreens/costco/walmart every 5 feet. I assume in rural areas it's less practical to drive a long distance to pick up photos from a store.

Inkjet printer fans, weigh in. Enlighten me.

I'm with you. My Canon 5DII kit last year came with a "free" Canon printer. Didn't even open the box and gave it away. For my home office needs I was very happy when laser printers became affordable. I have one of those in the house (a cheap and compact b/w Samsung) and that's all I need.

My prints I order from WHCC, MPIX or Kodak depending on purpose and location. For quick and easy print outs fo something there is a Walmart, a Target and a Walgreens 5 minutes from my house. Those prints are likely not worse than what I would get from a "free" Canon printer at home. And the space that those beasts eat up I can use for something else. And dealing with clogged/dried ink cartridges, jammed paper, and the maintenance cost of it all: not worth it.

And to sum it up differently: anything that comes out of a printer will not be great no matter what or who does it. Still waiting for some new technology that addresses that and uses traditional paper and a chemical process at high resolution.

 

[TexPhoto]

I print my taxes.