Canon i560 or i960?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dennis Gordon
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Dennis Gordon

Hi everyone...

I need a new printer to replace a Lexmark Z52 that's dying. Having just
purchased a Canon S50 digicam, which is PictBridge capable with the firmware
update, I'm leaning towards either the Canon i560 or i960. Seeing that the
i560 is going for about half of the i960, and the i960 is a week or two away
from the stores, is there any reason I should hold out for the more
expensive 6-ink model over the 4-ink i560? I'd just as soon save the $100,
but I'd like to hear any opinions on this. Thanks much...

Dennis
 
Dennis Gordon said:
I need a new printer to replace a Lexmark Z52 that's dying. Having just
purchased a Canon S50 digicam, which is PictBridge capable with the firmware
update, I'm leaning towards either the Canon i560 or i960. Seeing that the
i560 is going for about half of the i960, and the i960 is a week or two away
from the stores, is there any reason I should hold out for the more
expensive 6-ink model over the 4-ink i560? I'd just as soon save the $100,
Click to expand...

See below my earlier "progression " from the i550 to the i5960.

If you want to do general printing and a few photos, get the i550 or i560.
I order the 3e cartrdges for about US$ 4 each.. My cost for printing
documents is way down compared to my earlier HP printer.

However, you have invested in a camera capable of doing some quality images.
(But does it support an external flash unit? Or are your indoor flash shots
going to be limited by the wimpy built-in flash?)

PictBridge may be meant for you. Or not. If you want to print directly
without cropping or any other editing, get a compatible printer. I would
prefer to spend the money on good image managment and editing software.

Here's the bottom line: If you want good photo color with good fade
resistance, get the i950 or i960. You'll still save in the long run.

If you're outside North America, I suspect you can get the i965 (?) with the
CD-printing feature. I do some audio recording and I do make audio CD's, but
I'm happy with printing CD labels.


The progession is like this:

i550: 4 series 3e cartridges,
i850: 4 series 3e cartridges
i560: 3 series 6 cartridges, 1 series 3e (black) cartridge,
i860: 4 series 6 cartridges, 1 series 3e (black cartridge)
i950: 6 series 6 cartridges, including photo cyan and photo magenta
i960: 6 series 6 cartridges, including photo cyan and photo magenta

Series 3e cartridges from China are good at only $4 each. Use the 550/560 if
you want least cost of general printing.

Series 6 non-Canon cartridges appear to cost $6-$10.

The photo inks typically achieve the best color balance and resistance to
fading.

The i550 prints slower than the other models.

The i860 and the i960 have an extra tray for 4x6 photo paper.

Even the Canon inks are still more economical than HP.
 
I bought an I860 about a week and a half ago, and I am thrilled by the
quality of photos printed on Canon's top grade glossy photo paper. The
I860 is in between the I560 and I960, with 5 cartridges. The prints are
from a 2.2 MP Kodak DX3600. Speed is a little over two minutes for
borderless letter size paper. The I860 is PictBridge capable, although
my camera isn't. The retail price of Canon cartridges is about $11.00
US, but many posters on this NG say that Canon cartridges are easily
refilled, and substitute cartridges, filled and empty, are cheap and
good.

Bob


| Hi everyone...
|
| I need a new printer to replace a Lexmark Z52 that's dying. Having
just
| purchased a Canon S50 digicam, which is PictBridge capable with the
firmware
| update, I'm leaning towards either the Canon i560 or i960. Seeing that
the
| i560 is going for about half of the i960, and the i960 is a week or
two away
| from the stores, is there any reason I should hold out for the more
| expensive 6-ink model over the 4-ink i560? I'd just as soon save the
$100,
| but I'd like to hear any opinions on this. Thanks much...
|
| Dennis
|
|
 
Thanks for the details. More than anything I need something reliable. The
Lexmarks have been mechanically difficult and inconsistent in output
quality.

I'm a graphic designer and work in Quark/Photoshop/Acrobat etc. I'm more
interested in the PictBridge capabilities of the Canons so that my wife can
more easily print out snaps. It seems that the current i560/i860/i960 crop
of printers have all been well received so it's a matter of do I want 4, 5
or 6 inks, I guess. If I were a professional photographer it would be an
easier decision. OTOH. my wife, in a rare mood of non-frugality, said to me
last night "...Oh what's another $100..." when I told her that the 960 was a
bit more than the other models. An opportunity like that doesn't happen too
often, so maybe I should take her advice and go the the best one...;-)
 
'Dennis',

Do you know whether or not the Canon i860/i865 develops negatives?

Thanks,
Emrys Davies.
 
Have you seen a HiTi digital photo printer?

http://www.hi-ti.com/english/default.asp

It's $179 US and about $20 for 50 4x6 sheets (including dye sub ribbon so
very low per print cost).

I'm getting one for my wife and kids. It's the easiest and most cost
effective way to print 4x6 images. I have the i950 for my 8x10 stuff and
avoid the wear and tear on 4x6's.
 
Nice device. I don't know if I'm ready for it yet, because I'm not sure how
much photo printing we're going to do right now, and if we wait a while
there will always be that new improved model. Thanks for the link...
 
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