A3 Photo printers

[dullbird]

Hi Guys

do any of you have an A3 printer that you use for printing off your photos.

I'm considering again about getting one...Im not interested in taking photo's to a lab for printing I dont have the time. I just want the ability to print of good colour photos if I want them.

I dont have a lot of money so not looking at buying a printer that is 1000bux new but if I can get some good recommendations I might be able to pick one up second hand perhaps.

I think from memory the Epsons had a good photo printer in the A3 range..

is there anything in particular I should be looking out for in a printer things it should and shouldnt have to be a good photo printer.

what ever I get I ultimately would llike to be able to have the modification donw to run endless ink rather than cartridges but thats much further down the line

[s7000]

I used to have an epson 4800. It was a nice piece of kit! I got it second hand for $1500.

In the way of specs, it could print up to A2, 8 colour injet, and could be fed buy roll or paper feed.

The one main issue with printers like these is a set of inks cost around $800.

I can't really recommend anything else as I haven't used anything else.

Just remember, good ink and good paper is a must.

[WhiteD3]

I am thinking about a Canon PIXMA Pro-1. Rave reviews but @ ~$1400 more than your budget.

Canon Pixma Pro-1: Digital Photography Review

I'm also not sure if there are ramification with ink sitting in the lines week in, week out for someone like me who would be a low volume printer.

[s7000]

I am thinking about a Canon PIXMA Pro-1. Rave reviews but @ ~$1400 more than your budget.

Canon Pixma Pro-1: Digital Photography Review

I'm also not sure if there are ramification with ink sitting in the lines week in, week out for someone like me who would be a low volume printer.

There's not. Something like that will have a cleaning function, when you fire it up after a while it will go through that first then print fine. My Epson sat for almost 18 months between prints before I sold it. I printed one last print which is now frame and is still holding colour.

[dmdigital]

There's not. Something like that will have a cleaning function, when you fire it up after a while it go through that first then print fine. My Epson sat for almost 18 months between prints before I sold it. I printed one last print which is now frame and is still holding colour.

True but some inks can go "off" over time, though now days it's not as big an issue.

Lou, the best thing is to just use one of the online printers. By the time you buy a good quality printer, papers and inks it's cheaper to just use the online. I've gone through asking myself this same question several times and I keep coming back to it not being worthwhile.

[dullbird]

*Sigh*

[s7000]

*Sigh*

You're better off knowing this before you take the plunge... I found out the hardway.

Unless you're making money to fund the costs, it's barely worth it.

[dmdigital]

COnsider this Lou:
What size, finish papers do you need to have at hand?
How many of each kind are you likely to print in a week/month/year?
How do you have to store the paper stock? (some require better storage or the coatings deteriorate)
How many pages do I get out of a cartridge/reservoir/bottle of each ink colour?
Do I need to print from continuos roll? (pano's)
Do I need a guillotine to trim to other than stock sizes?
What do I do for calibration?
...and the list goes on.

It's far better to let the professionals handle it unless you make it your own business.

[dullbird]

calibration is on its way....

I just wanted to be able to print when I wanted to print not have to order and wait etc etc etc because I will less likely get anything printed at all having to go through this process...

i'm not looking for a printer that will do professional shop window photos for the Pro was just looking for a good printer im sure there out there and don't cost the earth and need hundreds spent on ink...but Im guess I'm wrong and will just likely carry on the way I'am which is not having printed a single thing in years.

I like to print photos so I can draw them.. the current printer I have is a shocker it prints like a business jet as it is one of those all in one jobies I cant draw from these photos because the printing is so washed out....the printer I had before that was way way better. and was only a cheap one

[Chucaro]

Some of the Epson printers used to have a bit of problem with the red tones.
Have a look the Canon PIXMA Pro 9500 Mark II A3. It is a bit slow but the quality of the prints is very nice.
I do not have a printer, I send my images to a small lab were they adjust my images to my taste and the profile of the paper that I select specifically for the image to be print.
For me it is the cheaper option because ink it is very expensive.