9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Cheap Workhorse
Date of Review: Aug 18, 2006
The Bottom Line: It is what it is - cheap and replaceable. Can't say that about a $600 printer. And it does a decent job to boot!
I'm a bit of a photographer (not yet a pro, but working on it rather seriously), and I have come to the realization that photo printers are not what they are cracked up to be. Even at todays oil prices, inkjet ink continues to be the most expensive fluid on the planet, ounce for ounce. Printing up a single photograph (assuming it comes out right the first time) can cost over $2.00 when you factor in ink and quality photo paper. So . . . why am I writing this as part of a printer review? Simple - find a reputable on-line photo printer to make your photographs and use an inexpensive inkjet printer to make proofs and do all your other computer printing chores.
Some notes about the Canon:
1. the print heads are built into the cartridges. New ink means new print head. Epson, a very reputable printer, keeps the same print heads cartridge after cartridge. Clogged heads can become a problem, whereas if the Canon's heads get clogged, merely buy a new cartridge.
2. the printer is so cheap that it only costs about $5 more to buy another printer rather than replacing the cartridges. New cartridges come with the printer, so it's like buying new cartridges and getting a new printer for $5. Talk about disposable! Who cares if it gets beat up or used to death at that price.
3. it works really well. In addition to speed, it's color rendition is really very good. Sure, a 6 or 8 ink printer will blow it away, but you can buy 5 of these for the price of a lower end "good" printer. I just can't see the point.
4. On-line photo printers are so cheap. MPix and Adorama are under $.20 for a 4X6. Factor in the cost of ink when you print out 20 vacation pictures, and you've saved yourself some money by having someone else do the work. Bonus: the prints are actual photographs, not inkjet prints and have greater longevity.
