John Rountree
Nothing is what I want
I am looking to buy my first quality printer. I shoot Black and White exclusively so obviously a good monochrome print is what I am looking for. Given the price and reviews, I am tempted by the new Hewlett- Packard 8850. Has anyone used this printer yet? If so, your impressions on B&W print quality would be greatly appreciated. Or, should I spend about $75.00 more and get the HP 9180? I think the Canon 9500 is over priced, and Epson does not interest me because of the amount of ink they waste. I will be happy to be corrected if my impressions of those printers are skewed.
plummerl
Well-known
I can only speak to the 9180 and can attest to it's output quality (color and B&W). The primary difference appears to be the network interface (nice to have in my setup), the LCD display and thickness of paper allowed. Not sure what price you have seen for the 8850, but buydig.com has the 9180 for $552 (with free shipping). This is the site that I got mine from and I was very satisfied.
Photo-i just finished his review of the 8850: http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/HPB8850/page-1.html.
Photo-i just finished his review of the 8850: http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/HPB8850/page-1.html.
Artorius
Caribbean Traveler
Can't say anything about the 8850, but the 9180 has really impressed me. B&W AND Color are both very impressive in final printed output. Files from my varied cameras, Oly E20, Nikon D2 x/h, D1 h/x, Leica D-Lux 3, M8, and scanned film(B&W, Color, Slides) from M3/4P/6, have really been producing outstanding prints at the minimum matching lab equivalent prints.
Supposedly, calibration is better with the 9180, but time will tell. Also, thicker media is important more me, so the 9180 is it for me. Just wish they had a 17" version.
Supposedly, calibration is better with the 9180, but time will tell. Also, thicker media is important more me, so the 9180 is it for me. Just wish they had a 17" version.