Which photo printer less than £80(ish)

feenster · 25-10-2005, 19:10

Hi all,
I'm after a photo printer - yep, after not having any form of printer for over 4 years, i've decided I need to get one. I'll be mainly printing out photos at A4 or below, but would like to the do the usual letters, envelopes, stickers, CD's etc. As I am from Yorkshire, I would also like the cheapest inks possible (therefore compatibles).

The Epson R300 looks like a good bet - any comments or suggestions to other models? Any weblinks for cheapo printers and ink?

Cheers,
Matt

CT · 25-10-2005, 19:20

I'm an Epson man anyway, but I'd highly recommend the R300. I have one and it out -performs far more expensive printers I've bought in the past, in fact I can't believe the price of it. I've just started using a really cheapo set of compatible inks for the R300 and they perform really well so I wont be going back to paying Epson prices. :icon_eek:

RobertP · 25-10-2005, 19:25

I'm using the ridisc compatibles from SVP in my R200 with no problems at all. Noticed the price has gone up a little £7.71 for two sets of 6 carts - was that price for two sets of 7 (extra black cart). The printer accepts them same as the epson ones and the driver displays ink levels etc.

The 300 is a 200 with a display panel and/or card slot I believe - an extra I did not need. I think the 200 and 300 are discontinued now. The 200 is not a fast printer but that does not matter for home use.

I print only the occaisional picture - too much hassle +cost for my taste. I uploaded 112 pictures to Bonusprint Sunday evening. The 7x5's arrived in this mornings post for £15. Couldn't buy the paper for that.

Steep · 25-10-2005, 19:38

I think the new models R220 and R320 are pretty easily within your budget. You will not be unhappy with either.

I have the R200 which is the same as the R300 except for the built in card reader/lcd thingybob and I reckon it's just brilliant.

feenster · 25-10-2005, 19:50

Ah. I don't need the card reader or screen anyway - in that case, is there no difference between the R200 and R300 (or the new 220/320)?

Matt

**stepheno** · 25-10-2005, 19:50

I've had Epsons and Canons and will always go for Canon for reliability. At the moment I'm using the Pixma 4000 - excellent printer.

regards

Matty · 25-10-2005, 20:49

ive got an Epson CX6600, its not a dedicated photoprinter, but it does a fab job!

***Steve*** · 25-10-2005, 20:59

Another Canon user here, I didn't like the way Epson printers seemed to block if not used almost daily.

dod · 25-10-2005, 21:01

I eventually went for the R300 over the Canon 4000. Reason? Quality from both seemed to be extremely high, price difference in the shop decided it.

Matty · 25-10-2005, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Another Canon user here, I didn't like the way Epson printers seemed to block if not used almost daily.

ssssoooooooooooooooooooooooo true.

***Steve*** · 25-10-2005, 21:08

Yeah its a shame because the quality is almost identical but the price of the Canon range seem to be more expansive overall. Thats no good to me though if the Epson keep blocking.

feenster · 25-10-2005, 21:10

Do they block in general, or have you just had bad luck? I've not come across that before. Why would Canon be any different?

Matt

RobertP · 25-10-2005, 21:14

Might have to eat my words here if this one blocks up... but I have had problems with Canon heads blocking up in the past. Ahh memories of rinsing the print head under the hot tap trying to resurrect it...

That experience was the reason I bought a HP printer previous to this Epson - disposable print heads. But for the cost of the carts I would still be using it. A black and colour cart pair for the 990cxi cost as much as the R200 printer!

***Steve*** · 25-10-2005, 21:15

Dunno why Canon would be different but I have had this happen to many people that I know with Epsons and if you do a general internet search you will read many reports of the same thing. I don't know if Epson have improved this in the R200/300 range or later though as its been a while since I looked into buying/quality of printers, hopefully its a problem of the past?

RobertP · 25-10-2005, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by feenster

Do they block in general, or have you just had bad luck? I've not come across that before. Why would Canon be any different?

Matt

I'm not convinced the problem is as bad as it used to be. Designs must have improved by now.

The problem is air getting to the face of the print head and drying the ink which seals the microscopic nozzles. The parked position for the head has a rubber seal to keep the heads from drying..... as long as it works properly.

**stepheno** · 25-10-2005, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Another Canon user here, I didn't like the way Epson printers seemed to block if not used almost daily.

As Steve said - that's my reason for staying off Epsons.

regards

feenster · 25-10-2005, 21:47

Well, i've had a good search, and found a few reports of print heads blocking on R200/R300's. Hopefully, this will have been sorted for the R220/320 models, as I can't see any other obvious changes between the models.

I think its going to just come down to price. Amazon prices:
Epson R220 = £63
Canon IP4200 = £86

I can't think the extra resolution of the IP4200 will make that much difference to me.

Matt

25-10-2005, 19:10	#1 (permalink)
feenster Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Huddersfield(ish) Posts: 151	Which photo printer less than £80(ish) Hi all, I'm after a photo printer - yep, after not having any form of printer for over 4 years, i've decided I need to get one. I'll be mainly printing out photos at A4 or below, but would like to the do the usual letters, envelopes, stickers, CD's etc. As I am from Yorkshire, I would also like the cheapest inks possible (therefore compatibles). The Epson R300 looks like a good bet - any comments or suggestions to other models? Any weblinks for cheapo printers and ink? Cheers, Matt

25-10-2005, 19:25	#3 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	I'm using the ridisc compatibles from SVP in my R200 with no problems at all. Noticed the price has gone up a little £7.71 for two sets of 6 carts - was that price for two sets of 7 (extra black cart). The printer accepts them same as the epson ones and the driver displays ink levels etc. The 300 is a 200 with a display panel and/or card slot I believe - an extra I did not need. I think the 200 and 300 are discontinued now. The 200 is not a fast printer but that does not matter for home use. I print only the occaisional picture - too much hassle +cost for my taste. I uploaded 112 pictures to Bonusprint Sunday evening. The 7x5's arrived in this mornings post for £15. Couldn't buy the paper for that. __________________ 20D. Kit lens. Canon 50mm 1.4. Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro. Tamron 28-75 XR Di. Canon 70-200 f4L . Canon 100-400L. 580EX.

25-10-2005, 19:20	#2 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	I'm an Epson man anyway, but I'd highly recommend the R300. I have one and it out -performs far more expensive printers I've bought in the past, in fact I can't believe the price of it. I've just started using a really cheapo set of compatible inks for the R300 and they perform really well so I wont be going back to paying Epson prices. :icon_eek:

25-10-2005, 19:38	#4 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964	I think the new models R220 and R320 are pretty easily within your budget. You will not be unhappy with either. I have the R200 which is the same as the R300 except for the built in card reader/lcd thingybob and I reckon it's just brilliant.

25-10-2005, 19:50	#5 (permalink)
feenster Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Huddersfield(ish) Posts: 151	Ah. I don't need the card reader or screen anyway - in that case, is there no difference between the R200 and R300 (or the new 220/320)? Matt

25-10-2005, 19:50	#6 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	I've had Epsons and Canons and will always go for Canon for reliability. At the moment I'm using the Pixma 4000 - excellent printer. regards

25-10-2005, 20:49	#7 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	ive got an Epson CX6600, its not a dedicated photoprinter, but it does a fab job!

25-10-2005, 20:59	#8 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Another Canon user here, I didn't like the way Epson printers seemed to block if not used almost daily.

25-10-2005, 21:01	#9 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	I eventually went for the R300 over the Canon 4000. Reason? Quality from both seemed to be extremely high, price difference in the shop decided it.

25-10-2005, 21:08	#11 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Yeah its a shame because the quality is almost identical but the price of the Canon range seem to be more expansive overall. Thats no good to me though if the Epson keep blocking.

25-10-2005, 21:10	#12 (permalink)
feenster Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Huddersfield(ish) Posts: 151	Do they block in general, or have you just had bad luck? I've not come across that before. Why would Canon be any different? Matt

25-10-2005, 21:14	#13 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	Might have to eat my words here if this one blocks up... but I have had problems with Canon heads blocking up in the past. Ahh memories of rinsing the print head under the hot tap trying to resurrect it... That experience was the reason I bought a HP printer previous to this Epson - disposable print heads. But for the cost of the carts I would still be using it. A black and colour cart pair for the 990cxi cost as much as the R200 printer!

25-10-2005, 21:15	#14 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Dunno why Canon would be different but I have had this happen to many people that I know with Epsons and if you do a general internet search you will read many reports of the same thing. I don't know if Epson have improved this in the R200/300 range or later though as its been a while since I looked into buying/quality of printers, hopefully its a problem of the past?

25-10-2005, 21:47	#17 (permalink)
feenster Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Huddersfield(ish) Posts: 151	Well, i've had a good search, and found a few reports of print heads blocking on R200/R300's. Hopefully, this will have been sorted for the R220/320 models, as I can't see any other obvious changes between the models. I think its going to just come down to price. Amazon prices: Epson R220 = £63 Canon IP4200 = £86 I can't think the extra resolution of the IP4200 will make that much difference to me. Matt

25-10-2005, 21:55	#18 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964