Photo printer recommendations needed

[soundweasel]

I'm interested in getting back into printing my own photography/photo artwork and, since it has been a few years since I've owned a color printer, I'd like to hear what's working for people in this forum. I've owned several Epson inkjet printers and the biggest issue I have with them is the cost of ink and the fact that it doesn't last long when creating hi-res or highly saturated colors. I create digitally manipulated images of landscapes and abandoned industrial site made to look like paintings. Kind of like "Ash Can School" paintings.

 

[Roving Sign]

Look into CISS - "Continuous Ink Supply Systems" if you go inkjet

 

[Bogframe]

I have a Canon MX722 and I like what I'm getting from it. I stopped using Canon ink when I found out that third party ink works just as well at less than half the cost.

 

[4-2-7]

I bought a Epson Stylus Pro 3880 quiet a few years ago, it's an awesome printer and sets up easy.

Introducing the Epson Stylus Pro 3880

How to print with Epson 3880 and Epson Hot Press, Fine Art paper

Panoramic from an Epson 3880

 

[ConradH]

I'm also looking for a decent photo printer as my Canon i9900 has died. The Canon Pixma Pro-100 looks interesting, as does the Epson Eco-Tank line.

 

[No Money]

What do you want from a printer? How big will you print? What is the final destination for your prints? ( are they for your pleasure or do you want to sell them) These questions would help in making a recommendation. I sell prints and I use Epson printers and Epson Ultrachrome inks. I have tried third party inks but they are close but not perfect. I have an older Epson 2400 running Marrutt inks for quick proofing and printing documents. Wouldn't want to use it for finished work. If you aren't prepared to compromise then something like the Epson P800 would be a good one to look at. Moving up from that the 4900 is great. After that they get bigger and expensive.

If you do buy a good printer then, if you don't already have one, get a good monitor calibration tool. If your monitor is out of calibration then your prints will be off.

 

[sanford12]

I've owned two Canon Pixma's and the printer heads went out on both plus the fact that there is a class action against them. Went to a Epson XP-610 and it's better at pictures than the Canons are and it's reliable. Inks are pricey for the Epsons but I'll take better quality photo printing and reliability any day.