Is my S600 even good for photo printing?

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos, even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look the same if not better than real photos?

I have wondered a similar thing myself. In stores, you always see print demonstrations from the s630. They never have a sample print button connected to the s800. The sample from the s630 is not at all impressive, especially when compared to the HP print samples. The s800 has 6 colours versus s630's four colours. Anyone have any ideas on how to see a print sample from the s800?

Regarding HP "photo printers": HP printers are all the same print quality. The only thing that makes them "photo printers" is the added memory card readers built-in, and bundled software. Otherwise, there is no difference between their "photo printers" and their "office printers". Marketing gobbledygook meant to confuse customers into spending more money for things they don't need. If you need a card reader, buy a $50 Dazzle* 6-in-1 reader and then buy a nice inexpensive HP without card reading. The combo will be cheaper.

Bobby

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

[email protected]

The S800 is being discontinued and soon to be replaced with the 2x faster 820D? but retaining the same 6 ink superb engine.

I bought a $199 S800 two weeks ago and I am extremely pleased with the true photo quality. The magic is in the size of the dots (4 pico) AND the recommended Glossy Paper from Canon. Other papers don't work well.

The 6 inks make a big diference too. It brings out the photo realistic rendering. Wished you can see my 8x10 prints!

Chris

Bobby Kansara said:

Regarding HP "photo printers": HP printers are all the same print
quality. The only thing that makes them "photo printers" is the
added memory card readers built-in, and bundled software.
Otherwise, there is no difference between their "photo printers"
and their "office printers". Marketing gobbledygook meant to
confuse customers into spending more money for things they don't
need. If you need a card reader, buy a $50 Dazzle* 6-in-1 reader
and then buy a nice inexpensive HP without card reading. The combo
will be cheaper.

Bobby

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

--
Bobby
[email protected]

Click to expand...

I just got a S600 and I can't complain at all. I don't have an expert camera eye, but what's coming off my printer looks pretty good. I purposely ordered the S600 instead of the s630/s800 because I wanted the good text capability also. Not disappointed.

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

jimtnc said:

I just got a S600 and I can't complain at all. I don't have an
expert camera eye, but what's coming off my printer looks pretty
good. I purposely ordered the S600 instead of the s630/s800 because
I wanted the good text capability also. Not disappointed.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah, as an all purpose printer, I can't complain with my S600. I'm just disappointed that my printouts do not look anything like a photograph, and I was wondering, for those that want real true PHOTO-like pictures, if I need to start using a better Photo printer than my S600

hi, new to this board, hope i am replying correctly. anyway, i was pleased with my old epson printer which is 4 years old, until i started shopping for an updated printer, and saw what they offered. there was no comparison, i to saw dots in the pict. but not anymore!! everyone is right to, at all the stores i went to no one had a sample of the s800 for me to see. request information from canon, and they will include a sample, that was what sold me, and i am still amazed, even printing on there high resolution paper, the prints are excellent, let alone what comes from the photo paper pro, i would whole heartedly recommend it.i was even thinking of bringing a print to comp usa near me, i swear it would sell itself.
lisa

I know my eye isn't that bad and my 8 x10 glossys look great. You say you use photo paper pro. I guess you're making that setting also (I think it's "high-gloss photo") before you print, because I noticed on mine it will revert back to standard paper settings default. The only reason I mentioned it is because it fooled me a time or two...forgetting that is flipped back to defaults. But, I'm sure you're aware of all that, and I can't think of anything else it might be. Have you talked to the Canon techs?

James said:

jimtnc said:

I just got a S600 and I can't complain at all. I don't have an
expert camera eye, but what's coming off my printer looks pretty
good. I purposely ordered the S600 instead of the s630/s800 because
I wanted the good text capability also. Not disappointed.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah, as an all purpose printer, I can't complain with my S600.
I'm just disappointed that my printouts do not look anything like a
photograph, and I was wondering, for those that want real true
PHOTO-like pictures, if I need to start using a better Photo
printer than my S600

Click to expand...

Hi James...

I am happy with the photo quality of my s600, (make sure you have it all on the highest quality/photo settings), but the colors aren't very close compared to the photo on my screen. I also check the "image optimizer" and that really improves the quality. Any suggestions with the color matching?
Thanks,
Judy

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

In my humble opinion it IS the printer that's at fault here. I too have an S600 among other printers. Considering the price, it is amazing what that thing can do, but you can't expect perfect quality from a $139.- "toy" (otherwise there'd be no $10,000.- printers

They pictures is prints look great at first glance, but they don't stand up to close inspection, especially when you are trying to sell them. You might want to look at the S900/S9000 when they hit the US - lots of excitement about them. Or the Epson 2000P if you're willing to pay a little more.

Anyway, relax: It's not you ) Go get a new printer...

Boris

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

I had an s630.

It was d-mn LESS picky on paper than the s800! Using OD paper, the pics came out more pinker.

OD Paper Settings
Photo Paper Pro or High Gloss Film, I forget.
Brightness: LIGHT (optional)

I had an s630.

It was d-mn LESS picky on paper than the s800! Using OD paper, the pics came out more pinker.

OD Paper Settings
Photo Paper Pro or High Gloss Film, I forget.
Brightness: LIGHT (optional)

The S800 has several advantages over the new series of printers. User changeable print head and straight through paper feed.

Papers: Canon Pro Photo Paper is the ONLY paper that does NOT work well for me. Not sure why, but it's the only paper that I have that you can see very noticeable banding on. Color is great, texture and feel, but the banding is visible. I use MANY different kinds of paper with my S800 with great success (the Epson 820 that I returned prior to getting my S800 was much more difficult to adjust to other mediums). Papers I use with much success (Framed, albums, family portraits, etc.):

Epson Photo Paper (Panoramic, 4x6)
Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper
Epson Heavyweight Matte
HP Premium Photo Matte
OD PPP
OD SHWPP

The last one, Office Depot Super Heavy Weight Photo Paper is my current favorite. At 80lbs it has a nice feel in your hand. Great color reproduction (slight magenta cast, but easily solved).

The S800 works GREAT with third party papers. I certainly will not buy any Canon papers as there doesn't seem to be any virtue that can justify the cost.

Just my two cents.

chris c said:

The S800 is being discontinued and soon to be replaced with the 2x
faster 820D? but retaining the same 6 ink superb engine.

I bought a $199 S800 two weeks ago and I am extremely pleased with
the true photo quality. The magic is in the size of the dots (4
pico) AND the recommended Glossy Paper from Canon. Other papers
don't work well.

The 6 inks make a big diference too. It brings out the photo
realistic rendering. Wished you can see my 8x10 prints!

Chris

Click to expand...

James,

The same thing is happening with my printer. I use Canon s400. As it should do 1440dpi, i was thinking that will be enough... Just wondering... maybe i should use photo cardridge (not color cardridge) with my printer.

I remember a few years ago i had Canon BJC-2100. It was able to print only 720dpix360dpi. Interesting to note, that quality from those prints was almost the same, as quality from my S400 (it can do 1440x720dpi) with highest settings on Epson photo paper.
I think i will try to contact Canon about this issue.--Cheers,Linas

I fully expect a LOT of feedback on this comment, but the prints that I get from my S600 are as good (and sometimes better) than my friend's Epson 1280 even when we shoot with the same camera (C3040Z). When I replaced my very outdated Canon printer with the S600, a Canon rep was onhand and even he admitted that he couldn't see the print difference between it and the S800. I would be willing to put my prints up to 8"x10" against anyone elses (PSP7 using standard high gloss photo paper setting) .... especially at the price difference. And .... let's not even get into debating the archival ink topic. The standard S600 inks are theoretically good for 25 years and long before that time, I'm sure the industry will come up with something even better. Yes -- I know that I am limited to a maximum photo paper size and I can't print border to border, but all-in-all I am extremely satisfied with my S600. Hope this helps .... don't beat me up too much for my opinion. LOL
--Sue

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

LOL! Sue, I'm not sure what they're seeing off their S600's, but I'm in agreement with you...mine looks pretty dadgum good. Of course, I don't have those pro photog eyes, but all I have to do is please me anyway.

Sue Carlson said:

James said:

For the longest time, I thought that the quality of my photos were
due to 1) my camera (I now have a 5 MP F707)
2)software (I have now switched to PS elements and QImage.

But even after switching to better cameras and software, my photos,
even 4*6, are grainy and dotty. No where close to a real Photo, or
samples I saw at the store. Printer settings are at the highest
resolution, paper is photo paper pro.

So, now the whole issue begs to ask....is it my PRINTER? I notice
that not many of you use S600, and even Canon does not refer to it
as a photo printer but an all-purpose printer.

If I switch to a real Photo printer such as HP photo printers or
Canon S800 or 900, will it be then I will get printouts that look
the same if not better than real photos?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

jimtnc and Sue,

What settings do you use on your printers?
What about paper? It's Canon brand paper or what?
What dpi you set on your pictures before printing?
Do you use specific inks/cardridges?

--Cheers,Linas

I'm still experimenting, but for the most part I just use photo/high quality settings with no other special checks. Paper: so far I've gotten good results with Epson heavyweight matte and Office Depot's PPP. I'd like to hear from others and what their settings/paper might be.

Linas said:

jimtnc and Sue,

What settings do you use on your printers?
What about paper? It's Canon brand paper or what?
What dpi you set on your pictures before printing?
Do you use specific inks/cardridges?

--
Cheers,
Linas

Click to expand...

jimtnc,

I use Epson photo paper with highest settings on my S400. Results are nearly satisfactory so far. I'm experimenting with different settings. It looks that high resolution paper setting with epson photo paper should give the best results.

--Cheers,Linas