Upgrades Abound: Reviews Soon

[dcsang]

Picked up a couple things over the "after Christmas sales" (aka Boxing Day Deals up here in Canada Eh.. ) 😀

Dell had a deal on their 20" widescreen LCD monitor (Dell 2005FPW) - which uses the same panel (LG) as the Apple 20" Cinema display - I couldn't pass it up being 25% off.

Then I spotted a web special that FutureShop (aka BestBuy for you folks in the Southern part of this continent) had on the HP8450 printer. Normally I'm an Epson man. My 870 lasted me some 5 or more years with lots of time being "idle" before it finally gave up the ghost. The thing is, I couldn't spot a good Epson photo printer that was inexpensive and could do B&W out of the box. I would have to adjust/reconfig the thing to take alternative inks etc. So, when the 8450 was on sale (for a bit LESS than B&H had it priced at) I jumped at it.

I'll eventually do some reviews (hopefully this weekend) but so far, I'll just say that I'm pleased with both of these items that only add to the digital darkroom (there... I knew I'd get on topic sooner or later) 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[FrankS]

When are you going to start with a real darkroom, Dave? 🙂

 

[dcsang]

When are you going to start with a real darkroom, Dave? 🙂

hehe.. as soon as I get a HOUSE 🙂

I don't want to do any major renos just yet in the Condo. It's more "cosmetic" at the current time. I would need to knock down a wall in here and put up another wall in order to attain the darkroom that I would need; and knowing me, I'd knock down a load bearing wall 😀

Dave

 

[FrankS]

I'd knock down a load bearing wall

instant family! (the neighbours upstairs)

 

[dcsang]

I'd knock down a load bearing wall

instant family! (the neighbours upstairs)

Problem is.. I'm on the top floor 😀

Dave

 

[John]

I'm still good with my 19" Dell LCD with Samsung panel.
Curious about your printer now? Can these be dedicated to just B&W photo printing by just using black ink and special paper? 😎

 

[dcsang]

Curious about your printer now? Can these be dedicated to just B&W photo printing by just using black ink and special paper? 😎

Yes 🙂

That's why I looked at it. The HP has two models 8750 and 8450 - the 8750 does 13x19 while the 8450 is the "baby brother" doing only 8.5x11 - I opted for the smaller because of price ($200 CDN after tax vs $600 CDN before tax). There are three ink cartridges "tri color", "photo" and "photo gray" - you can swap in a "black" if need be for printing text.

The photo gray alone, printing in grayscale, does a REALLY good job on Ilford Pearl paper but apparently does an even BETTER job on HP paper. The grays are just that, Gray - no hues per se unless you try and add some via PS after scanning your neg.

Dave

 

[Trius]

Any GTA realtors here? Dave needs a house, er, a darkroom with a house built around it!

Earl

 

[GeneW]

Nice purchase, Dave. Looking forward to your review. I recently picked up an HP 7960 based on reviews here on RFF and I'm very pleased with it for B&W inkjet printing. So much so I haven't even tried it in colour mode yet 😀

Gene