Which printer are you using to print from M8?

[jsrockit]

I need to buy a printer and there seems to be a huge range of prices. What is the cheapest I should even consider for quality prints... something that would give me the equivalent of c-prints and B&W that I'm used to from a wet darkroom. Other tips and tricks would be appreciated.

I'm using a Macbook Pro, Aperture 2, and a Leica M8 as my basic set-up.

 

[Rob-F]

I don't have an M8, but I've been happy with the color prints I make on my Canon S9000. I shoot with a D-lux 3, D-Lux 4, and Nikon D200. My black and white prints are OK, but not as good as I can make in the darkroom. I understand there are better printers for black and white, such as ones made by Epson or HP; or perhaps Canon units more recent than mine. Recently I read that some printers use both a black ink and a gray one in an effort to improve B&W gradation.

Be sure and tell us what you find out as you research this!

 

[Red Rock Bill]

Hi I use both an Epson Stylus Photo 14oo and an Epson Stylus Pro 3800....I have no tricks to pass on other then I use Epson Inks and Epson Paper I finally figured out what works for me and I've stuck to it....not to say there aren't better choices....regards,Bill

 

[jsrockit]

Hi I use both an Epson Stylus Photo 14oo and an Epson Stylus Pro 3800....I have no tricks to pass on other then I use Epson Inks and Epson Paper I finally figured out what works for me and I've stuck to it....not to say there aren't better choices....regards,Bill

Can the 1400 even come close in quality to the 3800?

 

[eleskin]

Epson 3800

Epson 3800

I use the Epson 3800. I have been a darkroom printer since 1987, and believe me, for the price, this thing is as good as it gets! I am used to 16"x20" fiber base glossy. With the Epson Exhibition Fiber 17"x22", you cannot go wrong. As a matter of fact, I bought some of this paper HALF PRICE from Epson recently. The 3800 is last years model, so there is a newer one out. I bought mine at J&R Music World for $899 USD (instant discount and rebates). Ink usage is very frugal as well!

 

[ulrikft]

I use the Epson 3800, and i Love it!

I love fibre based paper.. 🙂 great results!

 

[Richard Marks]

I actually have the Epsom 2880 and can not fault the quality. The only klundge is if you change from mat to glossy paper you have to change the matt black to photo black and that is irritating. I dont change media type often so not a problem but on the 3800 this is not an issue. The 3800 also works out cheaper on ink usage and if you can run to that Id say go for it, if not quite happy with the 2880. The cheaper pigment ink Epsoms are absolutely fine for colour but for monochrome the 2880 or 3800 are better.

Richard

 

[kully]

R2880 for me too. As Richard said, the ink costs are a little eye-watering, although I don't waste as much paper with test strips/prints.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I doubt that a different class, or quality of printer would be required for your M8 results - to any other digital camera!, but unless your 'wet darkroom' standards are low - it will need something special to equal them in black and white!.
Dave.

 

[jsrockit]

I doubt that a different class, or quality of printer would be required for your M8 results - to any other digital camera!, but unless your 'wet darkroom' standards are low - it will need something special to equal them in black and white!.
Dave.

That's not the point... it has nothing to do with the M8. I want a printer that can do B&W and Color really well... so I don't have to wrestle with inferior equipment (cheap printers do not excel at B&W as you know). However, I also have a budget. It looks like the R2880 is the bare minimum I should consider at the price I'm willing to pay.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

That's not the point... it has nothing to do with the M8. I want a printer that can do B&W and Color really well... so I don't have to wrestle with inferior equipment (cheap printers do not excel at B&W as you know). However, I also have a budget. It looks like the R2880 is the bare minimum I should consider at the price I'm willing to pay.

Sorry I thought you had made a special point of mentioning the M8!.....and did not state a budget!
Dave.

 

[Richard Marks]

I doubt that a different class, or quality of printer would be required for your M8 results - to any other digital camera!, but unless your 'wet darkroom' standards are low - it will need something special to equal them in black and white!.
Dave.

Have you tried one of the latest generation of printers dave? Believe me these printers are "something special" and whilst different to a conventional print they can certainly equal it. Depressing but true. If you think differently it suggest you have low 'dry room' standards.

Richard

 

[Burkey]

HP Pro B9100. Very Snow Leopard friendly and wonderful results.
. . . David

 

[jsrockit]

HP Pro B9100. Very Snow Leopard friendly and wonderful results.
. . . David

How are the B&W results? It seems most use Epson... how do HP printers compare?

 

[peripatetic]

Go for the 3880 if you can.

Once you load up the 2880 with the same amount of ink it costs a lot more.

The 3880 is the entry level pro model - which means factory calibrated and the profiles "just work". With the range of papers now available the prints are stunning and many looks are possible.

 

[jsrockit]

I'm not sure if I can bring myself to buy a 3880... as it is, the 2880 is steep for me. Not because I cannot afford it, but because I just got back into Photography and I'm new to digital printing.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I'm not sure if I can bring myself to buy a 3880... as it is, the 2880 is steep for me. Not because I cannot afford it, but because I just got back into Photography and I'm new to digital printing.

All the 17 inch plus pigment photo printers are very very good.

You can buy Canon, Epson or HP (no 17 inch HP) and they are capable of quality that you would only have dreamed about a few years ago. All have 'black' ink only modes or if they are well profiled can give excellent black and white prints in colour mode. The prints do look a bit different to a wet print, but different is not necessarily worse.

Below 17 inch I think you need to be a bit more careful. There are more printers that won't do as good a job and ink costs are (much) much higher. HPs B9180 or replacement is reputedly good for black and white and the epson 2880 is likely excellent too. Not sure what canon offers, but there will be something.

Mike (refugee of epson 2100, canon ipf5000 and now running hp z3100. that is still working...)

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Have you tried one of the latest generation of printers dave? Believe me these printers are "something special" and whilst different to a conventional print they can certainly equal it. Depressing but true. If you think differently it suggest you have low 'dry room' standards.

Richard

I did not say that equal quality was impossible - but that it needs 'something special' - if that is what you have.....fine!, and no I don't find technological progress "depressing".....far from it! 🙂
Dave.

 

[abumac]

The Prof-Photo-Lab in my city.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

The Prof-Photo-Lab in my city.

Bah! - that's cheating! 😀