HP 8450 V Canon IP5000 V Epson R800

dod · 29-08-2005, 10:47

It's time to consign my old HP printer to the back of the cupboard. Whilst it hasn't been a bad printer it's showing it's limitations nowadays and costs a small fortune to run.

So, it's time for a change and my favoured options are those in the title. They all seem to provide great results, the Epson appears to produce prints with longer life due to the ink used although the Canon does have the smaller ink drop size and looks like it may have slightly lower runnning costs, and it's cheaper to buy.

Does anyone use one of these and have any views/opinions, good and bad? I've seen alleged print examples in the shops and can't really tell the difference between them.

OR.... given the rave reviews of the R200/R300 should I just save myself some cash and go for one of them?

Steep · 29-08-2005, 11:02

Can't say anything about your first three choices but my R200 produces amazing quality prints using cheap compatible inks.

dod · 29-08-2005, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steep

Can't say anything about your first three choices but my R200 produces amazing quality prints using cheap compatible inks.

That's what's in the back of my mind Steep, everyone says the 200 has amazing quality. I don't see the point of the extras on the R300 personally, but thats just the way I see it. Two quick questions if you don't mind; Does it do borderless A4 and have you had any problems with nozzles clogging?

CT · 29-08-2005, 11:37

Epson is ultimately the best where printers are concerned.

I use an R300 and never have, and probably bever will, use the extra facilities, so I'd be just as well served by the R200. I've never had the jets clog at all on this printer and it does do borderless prints.

The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink.

IanC_UK · 29-08-2005, 11:53

Brother has a Canon IP 5000, produces excellent prints, borderless etc. Have never used an Epson printer, as they used to be crap, they have improved a very great deal recently though !

My old HP A3 printer is showing its age ! i rarely print A3 on it, but its nice to have when i do actually take a pic worthy of it ! (And yeah it is flippin expensive LOL)

dod · 29-08-2005, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

Epson is ultimately the best where printers are concerned.

I use an R300 and never have, and probably bever will, use the extra facilities, so I'd be just as well served by the R200. I've never had the jets clog at all on this printer and it does do borderless prints.

The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink.

Thanks CT, I have thought about A3 but being realistic the price you would have to charge for an A3 would mean most of the potential customers probably wouldn't pay it. On the odd occasion an A3 is needed I'll just use Photobox or something.

Am I right in thinking you probably use your printer most days? By all accounts most clogging is occurring with the epsons if you're only using it once a week or less.

Edit: thanks Ian, this is part of the problem in my mind, I can't decide if canon is really almost £100 better than the R200/300 or if you're in part paying for the name.

IanC_UK · 29-08-2005, 12:14

Just did a quick peruse on pcworld and grabbed these !

Specs wise the Canon is better ! But whether that meets your needs or not is another thing ! also the prices make a huge difference too !

Specs for Epson R300
Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution
Up to 15 Pages per minute in black
Up to 15 Pages per minute in colour
5 Integrated Digital Camera Card Readers
Edge to Edge Printing
Up to 6 colour printing
Print direct onto CD facility
Edge to edge printing
USB1.1 & USB2.0 High Speed Connectivity
Windows and Mac compatible

Canon IP5000
Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution
Up to 25 pages per minute in black
Up to 17 pages per minute in colour
Print photos direct via PictBridge
Automatic double sided printing
Four separate ink tanks
Micro-fine 1pl inkjet nozzles
Edge to edge printing
Print direct to DVD and CD discs
Windows and Mac compatible

HP 8450
Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution
Up to 20 pages per minute in black
Up to 20 pages per minute in colour
Built in digital camera card readers
Built in colour LCD preview screen
8 ink photo printing for superb photos
Edge to edge printing
Automatic paper type sensor
USB Interface
Windows and Mac compatible

CT · 29-08-2005, 12:33

I do use my printer pretty frequently, but I've gone over 2 weeks without using it with no jet clogging. My old Epson used to clog after not being used for a while but the self cleaning function always cleared it.

I've had a few printers over the years and the R300 is the first genuine photo quality printer I've seen. Best results are obtained on Epson Premium Glossy Paper which has a nice weight similar to what you'd expect from a photo of the same size. The 6 colour cartridges makes a big difference to the overall print quality. It's super quiet in operation too.

dod · 29-08-2005, 12:48

Thanks guys, I think in reality the difference in quality is not really going to be discernible to most people. That leaves things like price, running costs, aesthetics and build quality. I'm going to nip back up to the shop and get a closer look.

Steep · 29-08-2005, 12:55

dod I've had my R200 since January and not had any nozzle clogging at all and yes it does borderless A4. I've even printed a couple of DVDs and they look great.

stewart · 29-08-2005, 13:30

hi ct, i have the epson r300 which i run on bluetooth in another room from my pc, i sometimes have a problem with my photo,s coming out dark which i know is a setting i have wrong, i dont know if you have had this happen on yours ?.

dod · 29-08-2005, 13:58

right, the HP is out, it's just too bulky.

really impressed with the whole Epson line up, nice build quality, compact, reasonably priced genuine inks and a good choice of compatibles

The canon looks great, but feels less solid than the r200 at more than twice the cost.

An interesting experience though, the assistant immediately recommended the canon because of the resolution. His opinion was that you would easily be able to tell the difference on an A4 but I'm not convinced.

IanC_UK · 29-08-2005, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by dod

right, the HP is out, it's just too bulky.

really impressed with the whole Epson line up, nice build quality, compact, reasonably priced genuine inks and a good choice of compatibles

The canon looks great, but feels less solid than the r200 at more than twice the cost.

An interesting experience though, the assistant immediately recommended the canon because of the resolution. His opinion was that you would easily be able to tell the difference on an A4 but I'm not convinced.

Simple way to prove that mate ! make him do a print out from both on full A4 !

CT · 29-08-2005, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewart

hi ct, i have the epson r300 which i run on bluetooth in another room from my pc, i sometimes have a problem with my photo,s coming out dark which i know is a setting i have wrong, i dont know if you have had this happen on yours ?.

My R300 has printed just what I see on my screen since it came out of the box, so I've never had the problem, although I have had problems setting up previous printers and I know how frustrating it can be. I don't print via Bluetooth, so I've no idea if this is causing your problem, but I'd think not.

The only thing I can suggest is to make sure first of all that you have the default settings and haven't altered any. Check the Epson web site for the latest drivers too. Obviously, what you want to see printed is pretty well what you see displayed on your screen so it's essential that your monitor is properly calibrated.

Make sure that your settings are correct in the printer set up for what you're printing, e.g. Colour Photo, and the print material e.g. Glossy Photo Paper. It depends hpw far you want to go with this, you can install profiles for your monitor and printer from the manufacturers web site.(If they provide them)

If your pics are OK apart from being just dark, then I'd click the 'Advanced' tab in printer set up and increase the gamma setting gradually until you get a result you're happy with and matches what you see on your screen.

I hope that helps mate, but it could be loads of things causing your problems. Good luck with it.

dazzajl · 29-08-2005, 14:39

Quote:

The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink.

Lyson photonic inks used with the continous ink system are not only better than the Epson versions but about a tenth of the cost.

CT · 29-08-2005, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzajl

Lyson photonic inks used with the continous ink system are not only better than the Epson versions but about a tenth of the cost.

Are they Epson compatible?

29-08-2005, 10:47	#1 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	HP 8450 V Canon IP5000 V Epson R800 It's time to consign my old HP printer to the back of the cupboard. Whilst it hasn't been a bad printer it's showing it's limitations nowadays and costs a small fortune to run. So, it's time for a change and my favoured options are those in the title. They all seem to provide great results, the Epson appears to produce prints with longer life due to the ink used although the Canon does have the smaller ink drop size and looks like it may have slightly lower runnning costs, and it's cheaper to buy. Does anyone use one of these and have any views/opinions, good and bad? I've seen alleged print examples in the shops and can't really tell the difference between them. OR.... given the rave reviews of the R200/R300 should I just save myself some cash and go for one of them?

29-08-2005, 12:14	#7 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	Just did a quick peruse on pcworld and grabbed these ! Specs wise the Canon is better ! But whether that meets your needs or not is another thing ! also the prices make a huge difference too ! Specs for Epson R300 Up to 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution Up to 15 Pages per minute in black Up to 15 Pages per minute in colour 5 Integrated Digital Camera Card Readers Edge to Edge Printing Up to 6 colour printing Print direct onto CD facility Edge to edge printing USB1.1 & USB2.0 High Speed Connectivity Windows and Mac compatible Canon IP5000 Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution Up to 25 pages per minute in black Up to 17 pages per minute in colour Print photos direct via PictBridge Automatic double sided printing Four separate ink tanks Micro-fine 1pl inkjet nozzles Edge to edge printing Print direct to DVD and CD discs Windows and Mac compatible HP 8450 Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution Up to 20 pages per minute in black Up to 20 pages per minute in colour Built in digital camera card readers Built in colour LCD preview screen 8 ink photo printing for superb photos Edge to edge printing Automatic paper type sensor USB Interface Windows and Mac compatible __________________ Some of my pictures. Last edited by IanC_UK : 29-08-2005 at 12:17.

29-08-2005, 11:02	#2 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964	Can't say anything about your first three choices but my R200 produces amazing quality prints using cheap compatible inks.

29-08-2005, 11:37	#4 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	Epson is ultimately the best where printers are concerned. I use an R300 and never have, and probably bever will, use the extra facilities, so I'd be just as well served by the R200. I've never had the jets clog at all on this printer and it does do borderless prints. The only think I'd say with you going unashamedly commercial, is think about whether you might need an A3 printer, but printers at that size have expensive appetites in paper and ink.

29-08-2005, 11:53	#5 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	Brother has a Canon IP 5000, produces excellent prints, borderless etc. Have never used an Epson printer, as they used to be crap, they have improved a very great deal recently though ! My old HP A3 printer is showing its age ! i rarely print A3 on it, but its nice to have when i do actually take a pic worthy of it ! (And yeah it is flippin expensive LOL)

29-08-2005, 12:33	#8 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	I do use my printer pretty frequently, but I've gone over 2 weeks without using it with no jet clogging. My old Epson used to clog after not being used for a while but the self cleaning function always cleared it. I've had a few printers over the years and the R300 is the first genuine photo quality printer I've seen. Best results are obtained on Epson Premium Glossy Paper which has a nice weight similar to what you'd expect from a photo of the same size. The 6 colour cartridges makes a big difference to the overall print quality. It's super quiet in operation too.

29-08-2005, 12:48	#9 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	Thanks guys, I think in reality the difference in quality is not really going to be discernible to most people. That leaves things like price, running costs, aesthetics and build quality. I'm going to nip back up to the shop and get a closer look.

29-08-2005, 12:55	#10 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964	dod I've had my R200 since January and not had any nozzle clogging at all and yes it does borderless A4. I've even printed a couple of DVDs and they look great.

29-08-2005, 13:30	#11 (permalink)
stewart Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: manchester Posts: 65	hi ct, i have the epson r300 which i run on bluetooth in another room from my pc, i sometimes have a problem with my photo,s coming out dark which i know is a setting i have wrong, i dont know if you have had this happen on yours ?.

29-08-2005, 13:58	#12 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	right, the HP is out, it's just too bulky. really impressed with the whole Epson line up, nice build quality, compact, reasonably priced genuine inks and a good choice of compatibles The canon looks great, but feels less solid than the r200 at more than twice the cost. An interesting experience though, the assistant immediately recommended the canon because of the resolution. His opinion was that you would easily be able to tell the difference on an A4 but I'm not convinced.