measekite said:
I read this review and it is a nice review. However, this is not a
comparative review. PC Mag /PCWorld is. I never said the IP5000 was
not a good printer. I wanted one until I read the reviews and then it
was my second choice.
Interesting. You wanted a 5000 originally. I wanted a 4000. Costco's
lack of them forced my hand into buying an iP5000. I had not read any
reviews on the 5000 as I wasn't planning on getting one. Reading the
specifications in the store - that it used the same cartridges I already
owned ... 9600 dpi ... only $40 more.... I said, "Where do I pay?"
These two articles compare the two printers:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1651975,00.asp IP4000
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1725827,00.asp IP5000
Here is a short summary:
Begin PC Mag Summary
The Canon Pixma iP5000 is the next step up in Canon's Pixma line from
the iP4000 <
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1651974,00.asp>, our
current Editors' Choice among personal ink jet printers. Although Canon
bills both as photo printers, they're also good choices for all-purpose
printing. Significantly, the iP5000 offers even better-quality text and
graphics than the iP4000. Unfortunately, it's one step lower for photo
quality, and it's slower for photos as well.
End PC Mag Summary
I don't take the quality comment too seriously as I have an i860 (same
engine used for the 4000). The 5000 produces significantly better photos
than the i860.
Speed slower? I am printing higher resolution, no? Graphics better on
the iP5000? Great reason for me to have the iP5000 then. I do graphics
and photos on about an even split.
Taliesyn, I wonder if you think so much of Photo-i, why don't you use
genuine Canon inks and media,in particular photo paper pro?
Can't afford the luxury of genuine items is the prime reason. Second
reason is that Canon Photo Paper Pro DID NOT produce a better side by
side photo than paper I had bought at the Dollar Store - 20 4x6 for
$1.00. Canon paper looks better, feels better, and dries immediately.
But once dry and safe behind glass, dollar store paper was identical to
Canon's own. And no exaggeration here. I'm not too concerned how this
"cheappy" paper will look 5, 10 years from now. I can reprint any time
if necessary.
My preferred photo paper is Costco's Kirkland brand. And for graphics
work - CD liners, inserts, greeting cards, etc - Epson Glossy Photo
Paper. Fantastic.
I do a lot of different kind of printing. I'd go bankrupt using Canon
inks. I have to refill with bulk or use 3rd party supplies. I plan to
run the iP5000 with prefilled Formulabs ink cartridges (or bulk if I
can find anyone who ships to Canada) and use bulk inks for the older
i860.
-Taliesyn