Given that the Epson 2100 (2200 for the US) is about AU$1700 and the
newer Canon i9100 is AU$1076.51, that price is pretty tempting. (A 2100
went secondhand for $1300 a month or so ago here in Perth.)
I simply cannot afford the 2100 (much as I'd like one, but I've spent
too much on glass and flashes and ... well, you get the idea) and I
can't see any benefit in the i9100 over the S9000. (Am I wrong?)
I don't care about the speed particularly, although it's a nice thing,
and I'm not chasing archival prints particularly. (A mate has the 2100,
(we've both got calibrated screens), so if I NEED it, I've got the
capability nearby, and I've got a Lexmark Optra R+ workgroup laser and a
Canon S600 for general printing here, although the new printer would
probably take over from the 600.)
I'm shooting with a Canon 10D (6MP) with some nice lenses, and I'm
printing for myself and friends - no clients to worry about.
I guess the thing I'm worried about is buying 'old' technology, although
I've read in a couple of places that the S900 and the i9100 share the
same printhead anyway, so that's that worry taken care of.
I have googled this to death (both web and newsgroups) and, not
surprisingly, found nothing definitive :-)
I did see a few people complaining that the S9000 was colour-shifting
after just 2-3 months no matter what they did to prevent it, which
didn't thrill me, although it didn't say what paper/ink combination was
used. While I'm not too worried about photos lasting 70 years (nobody
would care, I'm not AA) I'd like them to last a bit longer than 60 days.
A lot of other people, however, are saying lots of good things about the
S9000.
I'm also planning on using third-party inks, although a CIS is probably
going a bit far for my intended usage, so it'd just be a 'fill the
cartridges' thing.
Would be a lot easier if it was either completely brilliant or
completely crappy :-)
Your opinions please.
--
cheers, Mic (Reply address works...)
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
-- Mark Twain
>I did see a few people complaining that the S9000 was colour-shifting
>after just 2-3 months no matter what they did to prevent it, which
>didn't thrill me, although it didn't say what paper/ink combination was
>used. While I'm not too worried about photos lasting 70 years (nobody
>would care, I'm not AA) I'd like them to last a bit longer than 60 days.
All of Canon's 6 colour printers going back to the 8200 share the same
inks (BCI-6). I have an S800, which is one generation newer than the
8200.
I've used both Canon "Photo Paper Pro" and also Epson "Matte Paper -
Heavyweight". I use the "High Resolution Paper" setting in the driver
with the Epson paper. When I first got the printer I got a sampler
pack which contained a few sheets of Canon "High Resolution Paper".
The Epson paper seems very similar in texture (although it is MUCH
thicker), and the results I've gotten with it are great.
I have a bunch of prints posted in 2 different office environments,
most of which are 18 months or more old. They are not mounted, just
stuck up with tacks or magnets, so the paper is exposed. With the
Canon Photo Paper Pro I've found some fading after about 12 months.
Prints on the Epson paper don't show any noticable fade. I also like
that in an office environment people put their fingers on things and
the Espon matte paper doesn't show fingerprints.
On the other hand at home I have some prints mounted in frames under
glass. Those prints are not exposed to sunlight or bright lights.
For that purpose I like the Canon paper better because it shows
greater detail. I haven't seen any signs of fading on those prints.
I hope that helps!
--
Remove preceding and trailing X from username for replies
(Sorry, but I'm SICK of spam...)
The only problem is the life of the prints can vary from a few weeks to a
few months and certainly not longer than 6 months before the you can see the
degradation of the photo. Most noticeable are prints on gloss paper.
Coincidently these are the ones which 'look' the best straight off the
printer. Canon have instructions on how to get the 25 year life they
promise. Basicly it's hide them away for the environment because it's the
papers that cause the degradation, not the inks.
I changed to using MIS inks from the USA and got noticeable improvement in
the life of the prints but I'm talking here in weeks, not years. I have a
print on my wall, printed on the first i320 Canon printer. This looked great
at first. You can still see the subjects if you look closely!
I will happily be amongst the first to own the newest Epson printer due into
Aus soon and won't hesitate to crank up the credit limit on my visa to pay
for it because since I changed over to Canon printers, I have not printed a
photograph that comes anywhere near lasting as long as one from my old Epson
640, unless I laminate them. Given the new photo epson's are pigment inks,
life measured in 10's of years rather than canon's weeks can be expected.
Keep in mind too that the Canon is limited to print length of 24" whereas
the Epson can print very, very wide panoramas from a roll of photo paper.
Do yourself a favour Mic, dig deep and go for Epson. Not many US
Photographers use Canon printers and the 1 litre ink tank conversions from
MIS ensures cheap prints that last a long time. I'll sell you a (new) Epson
1290 Photo printer for $950 if that's any help. RRP is well over $1000.
www.technoaussie.com for information on how to contact me.
Doug
---------------------
"M i c C u l l e n" <nos...@cross.com.au> wrote in message
news:i7uavv8c1l99999i4...@4ax.com...
i've had great results from ilford galerie classic papers (*Not* the smooth
papers) with inkjet goodies ink. no client complaints yet!
Can you say "E.", "P.", "S.", "O." & "N." ....good boy!! Now all in one loud
sound "EPSON!!!" Ok, lets move on the magic numbers... Two, One, Zero and
Zero that is it, since you nicely located down under ;-) or rather since I
know you are down under, just around the corner! (some referes to this as
the 2200!)
Just to recap: EPSON 2100....you can skip all the crap in-between like
stylus and colour
Now that is it, just bring out the plastic and place the order with the nice
lady behind the counter :-)
Happy New Year Mic!
Henrik
[snips]
> Mic!!!
Well, look who's back from holidays :-)
> Can you say "E.", "P.", "S.", "O." & "N." ....good boy!! Now all in one loud
> sound "EPSON!!!" Ok, lets move on the magic numbers... Two, One, Zero and
> Zero that is it, since you nicely located down under ;-) or rather since I
> know you are down under, just around the corner! (some referes to this as
> the 2200!)
Ah yes, the 2100. That EXPENSIVE Epson 2100.
> Just to recap: EPSON 2100....you can skip all the crap in-between like
> stylus and colour
Indeed - if I was buying an Epson, the 2100 would be it.
> Now that is it, just bring out the plastic and place the order with the nice
> lady behind the counter :-)
Actually, I'd rather buy yours when you buy the R4000, but you only
reply to email sporadically :-)
> Happy New Year Mic!
And to everyone here, of course.
--
cheers, Mic (Reply address works...)
"Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking."
-- Clement Atlee
I've been using an Epson Photo 890 now for 18 months and am very happy with
the results indeed. I have prints on my wall (behind glass of course) that
have been hanging for over 12 months now - I can't see any colour shift.
Also used it to produce custom 8x12 prints for a photo exhibition.
I can't plug Epson highly enough!!!
"M i c C u l l e n" <nos...@cross.com.au> wrote in message
news:i7uavv8c1l99999i4...@4ax.com...
"David Hurwitz" <dav...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:hn8fvvsd21p3v19ft...@4ax.com...