Digital BW, The Print

Hi folks,


I am a black and white enthusiast photographer and I would like to buy a printer that produces very good B&W prints. For the start I must say that I am not a professional photographer, I don`t live from photography, its just a hobby. So the idea is that I would use the printer monthly or weekly, it depends of the photos I take. I would like to print A3 format, so for me, the choices are Canon PIXMA 9500 MARK 2, or the Epson R2880. Or HP?

I read several tests and in the most of them, the Canon is considered a better printer. What is your opinion? Also, the Epson is a bit more expensive. 

My questions are the following:

1. Taking in consideration that they work with pigment based ink, will clogging be a real problem? Please note that I tend to use the printers for my best pictures, lets say few times a month (inks is expensive).I found out that the Canon has a clog preventing mechanism, a sort of prin thead cleaning. Is it effective? Does the Epson have something similar? Taking in consideration the worst scenario, how much expensive is the change of the print head for Canon and Epson?

2. The Canon has 10 inks, the Epson has 8. While I am not very interested in the color inks, I discovered that the Canon has 3 black cartriges, while the Epson has 2. (which must be changed manually in the detriment of precious ink. Do you consider that the Epson produces better B&W photo quality?

3. Running costs. I heard that the Epson consumes the the ink more quickly. Is this true? Which of them is more economical. Because I don`t intend to pay for a small fortune, this is a big issue for me. For how much A3 B&W prints shall last the cartridges for the Epson? And for the Canon?

4. I intend to use them with the better quality photo papers, like photo rag. What kind of photo papers do you recommend for them?

Thank you for you for your answers!

István




 



  






      

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