I've used Epson's since the very first "Stylus" color model about 8 years ago. For photo images you can't beat the six-color approach. Gradients are band-free and the color-space is wider than any of the others. That said, the ink is damn expensive since you toss a cartridge when just one of five colors runs out and you do need to use expensive (coated) paper for best results. I also agree the Epsons are tempermental with frequent clogging and other mechanical failures.

I still won't use anything else.

The current state-of-the-art beats the typical 1-hour-photo enlargements (using either Kodak PhotoCD 35 mm negative scans or my Nikon 990) for quality. Nobody believes my images are 'digital.' Lyson makes a clear-coat spray ("print guard") designed for ink jet prints and I recommend it if you care about 10+ year print life.

I recommend a cheap laser printer for resumes and such though. None of the ink jets I've seen look as good in text as a 600 DPI HP Laserjet. Maybe I'm just fussy but a resume is to get you a job so don't short-change that.

 

I must confess when I think of printers I think of Epson in the same way I think of Nikon when I think of cameras or Purdey when I think of shotguns!

Penforhire: Have you seen the new Nikon Coolpix 5000 due to be launched anytime now?

 

Yea, I should leave my resume printing jobs to kinko's...but it's nice to know that photo printers can at least shoot out something in black just to get a hard copy in hand.

As for archival quality - I thought the 1280 had that going for it too - well, that's what the guy at Comp USA said...maybe it's just not as long as the 2000?

Thanks again for the responses, I admit I know little about this stuff - it's cool that this board has an OT that is actually useful sometimes

 

The 1280's images can last longer than other ink jet prints if printed on certain Epson papers which are then stored under proper conditions. Duration is on the scale of 10 years or so, but it is not "archival" by any accepted definition.

Epson had a bit of a problem on their hands when the "x80" series first came out because a defect in their glossy paper caused the images to deteriorate rather quickly due to contact with the air, but this has since been fixed.

 

Now I'm confused as hell...lol. I've been in the market for a printer myself (PC compatible if that makes a difference???) and I am utterly clueless about what to get. I know a guy that works for Dell in their service department and he says that HP is the best, Epson has the name, Cannon has the bang for the buck...omg...I'm getting a headache.

I purchased a Dell computer because all said and done they are the best, Compaq is the best bang for the buck , but not nearly made as well...same with Gateway. The point is, I want my printer to be just as reliable. No one's mentioned Lexmark...

 

S2Kguy - go to the link cdelena gave, it really helped me out:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/consum...1212/index.html

I also read that HP is really good but for regualar inkjet printers...their photo printers are still a little bit behind Epson, but still very good. I am a visual artist so I have been asking opinions on a larger format, high quality printer - so people might suggest something else for your needs (if they are different).

As for archival - thanks for the info between the 1280 and 2000....I might have to get the 1280 even though that too is 100 bucks out of my range - the 2000 would just be to expensive...

Going to do some more research at Helix a professional photo store today...i'll let you know what i come up with

 

Thanks tmkarab & Chris.

 

I just bought a 1280! Ya' gotta love the whole concept of the credit card

Everyone I asked, including people at Helix, Best Buy, CompUSA, and the Apple Store all agreed that the 1280 was the shit, so who am I to be so picky about clogged heads. I did get a 2 year warranty from CompUSA just in case though....I'll install tomorrow and let everybody know how it goes...

Thanks for the help - I love this board

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AgS2K
[B]Well, the best I know of that meets your size needs is a little outside of the price range you listed. It's the Epson 1280 and is $499.

Here's a link with info.

 

Good result! When you've installed your printer, double check with their web site and make sure you've got the latest drivers. Printers aren't always shipped with the latest ones.