OT -- Need advice on purchasing a photo printer

My little HP Deskjet 845c is just wonderful for printing medium-size archival prints but can't handle 8 x 10 display prints very well (big surprise!) I want to step up to a printer that will give me seamless color and B&W prints (no scan tracks) on both matte and glossy stock, and will also provide good quality on water-transfer decal stock.

Any direction and suggestions (with relative purchase prices) will be much appreciated.

TIA

Mike Bishop

 

EPSON
I use a 1270 (now obsolete) its a 1280 now I think.
I can print up to 13 x 19 and it has a adapter tat holds roll paper if you want to do multiple prints. every photog/ designer I know uses a epson. That printer runs in the lower 400's and uses archival inks and papers. they also have a 8 x 10 version that is around 100 somthing. I have used epson printers for years I have yet to see a comprable brand.
FS

 

I will second the epson 1280! they also make a 1280photo version that has I think 6 seperate colors. Looks really sharp. I have used both alot! One is where I teach at UMKC and the other is at the design firm that aI work for. I have nothing bad to say about either.

 

I've been looking into this as well. I have a Sony 5.0 megapixel camera and want to take full advantage of it.
I found the Epson used on Ebay, they go quick and usually $350.
I found a new one at Office Depot. Not sure of the model number, but it is the large format and is under $400. That is probably the one I will get.
Unless someone posts a better solution.
I got 5.0.... I wanna get 5.0 quality/size prints!!!!

 

Epson 1280 - prints borderless, roll paper, etc... Not exactly 'plug-n-play', but once you get it dialed in it's pretty amazing.

 

I just got a Canon i960, and am VERY pleased with the quality on a 4 x 6, unknown as to larger sizes yet.
Cost was $200. And it IS plug and play. I use a 4 megapixel Kodak DX6490, and Photoshop 7.0.

Cosmo

 

HP PhotoSmart P1000, very, very good......The quality of your cam also makes a hue difference.

 

I've had an Epson 1270 and an Epson 1280, both were great printers but I don't have either one any longer. I now have an Epson 2200 and it blows the doors off the 1270/1280! It's not cheap, but the colors are awesome and the ink is true archival quality...no fading. It even has an attachment that catches the snapshots that you can print from roll paper. 7 seperate ink catridges means that you only replace the color that has run out...

 

Thanks for the input. Looks like Epson is the way to go.

 

[ QUOTE ]
I've had an Epson 1270 and an Epson 1280, both were great printers but I don't have either one any longer. I now have an Epson 2200 and it blows the doors off the 1270/1280! It's not cheap, but the colors are awesome and the ink is true archival quality...no fading.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to go with Charlie on this one. I do IT support and the last job I had I did support for a couple big print shops and studios. Installed a few 2200's and they absolutely kick everyhting elses ass. They're not cheap at around $600-$700. But damn they rock. They're even better than a bunch of the big money proof machines. Highly recommended.... ******