Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Color printer suggestions for photos

Jan 16, 2005 10:09AM PST

My father is in the market for a color printer to print high quality pictures from a Canon S60. I would like to hear from people in this forum, what they would suggest. Right now we are looking at Minolta Magicolor 2430DL, Canon i960, Epson Stylus Photo R800 and there are so many HP that I do not even know where to start (though I will look at the Photosmart 7960). Am I missing anything? As for price, it is not a big concern, he just wants quality prints.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Define the quality?
Jan 16, 2005 10:56AM PST

I have pictures from Epson C42's and up on the walls at the office and home. Would that be good enough?

Bob

- Collapse -
Defining quality
Jan 16, 2005 9:55PM PST

Quality, looks like it came from your local photo shop (walmart, drug store, etc) and you would not be able to tell the difference. Is that enough of a definition?

- Collapse -
Same response plus...
Jan 17, 2005 12:39AM PST

I'd have to use the glossy paper. I don't use the glossy paper since it's under glass or acrylic.

In closing it does not look like what comes from walmart since its a slightly differenct technology. But I will not go to said walmart since its great stuff. If you want exactly what walmart would look like, then you can not use an ink jet. You'll look at dye sublimation printers.

If that's what you want?

Bob

- Collapse -
be careful
Apr 5, 2005 7:44AM PDT

My understanding, although I don't claim to be an expert, is that while many "home" printers do a very nice job printing photos on glossy or matte photo paper... the ink isn't the same as photo processing ink and eventually your home printed photos will fade. Which is to say the pictures will fade faster than if you had them professionally processed. Having said that, back up your home photos on CDs, make your glossy prints, and if you have to print them again in 5 or 10 years, so be it. In my humble opinion the ability to crop and adjust the photos is such a big plus it outweighs any issue of permanence. My HP Officejet 5510 all-in-one does terrific photos. I wish the cost of ink cartridges were lower, but such is life.