Printer for B/W?

[Simone]

Hi all, a printer question. Would like to know what printer folks are using that do alot of black and white, that you feel is giving excellent results?

I have a Canon i9900 and love it for color. I knew when I bought it that it is not designed for outstanding b/w, but at the time I wasn't willing to go up models and $ to get printer for awesome b/w. So I'm not saying I wish the Canon did better b/w, I expected the b/w would just be 'ok'.

So, for those that do b/w printing at home and feel they get fantastic results, what printer(s) do ya have? Maybe the Epson R2400 which is touted by Epson to deliver stunning b/w? Thanks much! :)

[jfh]

I've just gotten serious about photo printing, and I've treated myself to new gear.

I have a lot of old black and white to print, so I decided to build a

1. a cheap dedicated black and white printer using pigment inks.

This is an Epson R340, and I'm using an aftermarket black ink set--the MIS UT-R2N set. After a basic setup, I am printing b&w pictures I've converted in PSE 5.02 (see Help/"to precisely convert to black and white") that are as good as any b&W print I did twenty years ago with an enlarger--and it can only get better. If I install a CIS (continuous ink supply) setup and buy the ink in bottles, I can probably print B&W 8x10s of archival quality for under $.35.

This is a "hobbyist" approach, and it really requires some study--but for less than $350.00--which would include the equivalent of about 60+ sets of Epson cartridges--I can do a lot of printing. The printer is $100.00 (NIB) and the basic MIS B&W cartridges will run about $77.00. A set of 4-oz MIS replacement ink bottles runs about $133.00. A good CIS for the bottled ink will be about $90.00.


Approach number two is to buy an HP B9180 printer for about $500.00.

It produces beautiful black and white or color (with pigmented ink) and its costs have been guesstimated at about $1.35 per page. I got one of these, and I am still learning to set it up with custom paper profiles--and it will also print up to 13x19.

This is a new model printer that has had some teething problems, but the one I just received works flawlessly. It has some real advantages over the more-expensive Epson R2400, but it doesn't have a proven track record yet.


Approach number three is to buy an Epson R2400.

One of the proponents of B&W printing in the Yahoo forums (Clayton Jones) has VERY strongly recommended this package for B&W. The trouble is that the cartridges are expensive--I understand 8x10 B&W prints on this one can be as high as $2.00 / page. It also does beautiful color.

This weighs in at about $700.00 plus--or you can consider the Epson 3800, which is $1300, but it includes about $500.00 worth of cartridges, and the cartridges are twice as big / somewhat cheaper than the R2400 cartridges.

In general, the higher-end Epson Inkjet printers (R800, R1800, R2400) produce the best B&W without unusual fuss, but Epson has a bad reputation for costing a lot to run. The HP B9180 may be a real alternative to them, but we really don't know yet.

Although I'm experienced with digital cameras, I didn't get serious about my photography again until good DSLRs were under $1000.00 for the body. Now I'm going whole hog and getting up to speed, as it were.

Check the DPReview's "Printers and Printing" forum for more information.

Jim H.

[Simone]

Jim, thanks so much for this great info. Appreciate your taking the time to write up the details on these options. You really are 'getting serious' about printing- from option 1, you must have alot of expertise in this area!

Because of the reputation for ink waste and high-maintenence (as you too mentioned), the Epson probably isn't an option for me but I'm now seriously considering the HP B9180 after reading your info and doing alot of research this morning. It's on sale at a local Best Buy for around $600 (couldn't find it for under that after preliminary search and I like to buy from brick/mortar store for ease of return/svc if necessary)... so I may just have to splurge on it. I would just love to have superb looking b/w images. Thanks for the info and the steer in this direction! :)

If anyone else does alot of b/w printing, please feel free to add on .... :) Thanks...

[jfh]

You're welcome, Simone.

About the B9180:

1. For online Buying, try Beach Camera (where I got mine for $500.00+) and check Amazon frequently. Buying through either of these online operations is totally reliable; I especially recommend Beach / Buydig, then Cametacamera.

Wherever you get it, it appears that you could get one with "problems" right now--but my unit was an early one, not updated, and it's perfect. I don't think the buying source has anything to do with this--e.g., I ordered mine Feb.1 from Beach (a high-volume operation), and the mfg. date was August 2006.

2. Once you get the printer, buy the HP extended warranty, not the Best Buy one--provides for overnight replacement, etc., etc.--about $45.00, IIRC for a three-year extension (total, four years.) HP is, IMO, the preferred way to go for service on other than anything but 30-day / customer satisfaction stuff.

3. I am still concerned about long-term operating costs on this unit--but the enthusiast types are taking to it with great enthusiasm. I'll even bet there will be a CIS and aftermarket ink available in the not-too-distant future.

4. Papers for this unit are still getting sorted out--i.e., HP paper is expensive. One I am curious about is InkjetArt's micro ceramic lustre; it's gotten wonderful comments in forums. Red River has some micro ceramic papers, but in November they did NOT recommend their papers for the 9180. I tried a couple yesterday, and they worked fine--but I don't know about longevity and durability.

Google Yahoo groups for a group dedicated to the B9180 for more info. There's an associated link at "Shadowbrush Wiki" that is a collection point. There's good info on B9180 papers on dpreview, too--just do that search.

Have fun, and tell us how it works for you.

Jim H.

[Simone]

Jim, again THANKS so much for the excellent info and for sharing your recommendations. I read everything you wrote I detail. I didn't run out today yet .. mulling things over and doing more web research ... Thanks once again, really good considerations! :)

[Cmcburnett]

Simone, good luck with whatever printer you choose.