Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
Reading mode:
Install the app
How to install the app on iOS
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Opinions on the best..
- Thread starter Allandra
- Start date
J
JTGraphics
Guest
What you really need to check into is the Nozzle Configuration of the printers. You'll notice that the Nozzle Configuration is really whats important.
If you start to compare this you'll see that as the price goes up so does the Nozzle Configuration example the 870 has only Monochrome head - 48 nozzles
Color head - 48 nozzles x 5 the 1270 has only Monochrome head - 48 nozzles
Color head - 48 nozzles x 5, Umm... whats the real diffrence here paper size. Now and 860 has Monochrome head: 144 nozzles Color head: 48 nozzles x 3 (CMY) now the Monochrome head: 144 nozzles better black print but the color same so not much better on color prints photos etc.. But now lets look at a 900 has Monochrome head: 192 nozzles Color head: 96 nozzles x 3 (CMY) better on both, the 1520 same nozzles paper size diffrent again like the 870 & 1270.
Are we getting the picture here? I'll take more nozzles on the color head than on the monocrome head but will always look for the most I can get all the way around. Just because the model number is higher or it has 4,5 or 6 colors dosn't make it a better printer. I want the finest spray I can get.If you want a 81/2x11 printer check out the 900 epson if your looking for a larger format printer check out 1520 for the reasons above more is better.
If you start to compare this you'll see that as the price goes up so does the Nozzle Configuration example the 870 has only Monochrome head - 48 nozzles
Color head - 48 nozzles x 5 the 1270 has only Monochrome head - 48 nozzles
Color head - 48 nozzles x 5, Umm... whats the real diffrence here paper size. Now and 860 has Monochrome head: 144 nozzles Color head: 48 nozzles x 3 (CMY) now the Monochrome head: 144 nozzles better black print but the color same so not much better on color prints photos etc.. But now lets look at a 900 has Monochrome head: 192 nozzles Color head: 96 nozzles x 3 (CMY) better on both, the 1520 same nozzles paper size diffrent again like the 870 & 1270.
Are we getting the picture here? I'll take more nozzles on the color head than on the monocrome head but will always look for the most I can get all the way around. Just because the model number is higher or it has 4,5 or 6 colors dosn't make it a better printer. I want the finest spray I can get.If you want a 81/2x11 printer check out the 900 epson if your looking for a larger format printer check out 1520 for the reasons above more is better.
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
J
Jorge
Guest
That said, what is your printer of choice?
Thx
Jorge
Thx
Jorge
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
J
JTGraphics
Guest
If I wer going to buy a printer at this time depending on the paper size you want I's go for a Epson 900 81/2x44" for a larger size paper the 1520 17x22" or the 3000 if you need full bleed printing.
900
1520
3000
Other brands are good don't get me wrong but I've always used epson's, have had only 1 HP inkjet (ink went fast) and an Apple Laser I still use.
After the printer you need to think about ink cost!!! I only use Original Epson Inks and have found them to be larger than other brands, last longer and priced better compared to others by size.
900
1520
3000
Other brands are good don't get me wrong but I've always used epson's, have had only 1 HP inkjet (ink went fast) and an Apple Laser I still use.
After the printer you need to think about ink cost!!! I only use Original Epson Inks and have found them to be larger than other brands, last longer and priced better compared to others by size.
Thx
Jorge
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
J
Jim
Guest
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
Arnold Edmondson
Well-known member
- Messages
- 159
- Reaction score
- 0
Tried both of these printers the 1270 lasted 3 days after about 10prints it started smudging the prints and sticking. Next tried the 870 lasted 2 weeks then started sticking and misaligning the prints. The second 870 seemed to be ok until the 5th week when it started smudging glossy prints.Then it refused to print at all after I reloaded the drivers. I got my money back and will never touch Epson again (yes the prints are good but the build quality is garbage).
Fortunately I still have my HP 840, low resolution only 600dpi but it has never let me down. Prints a good image on glossy photo paper and very well on high quality A4 plain paper.
Arni
Fortunately I still have my HP 840, low resolution only 600dpi but it has never let me down. Prints a good image on glossy photo paper and very well on high quality A4 plain paper.
Arni
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
Quincy K. Tran
Member
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 0
Hello, jtgraphics was right about the nozzles. However, I would like to add some thing here. Six color printers are designed to give you better skin tones since they can make more hues than 4 color printer so 6-color printers tend to give more shades of color which is better in photography.
The Epson Stylus 1520/3000 are sturdy printers, especially the 3000 with individual ink tanks so it is a good candidate for large volumes of prints. However, the Epson 1520/3000 use Epson's old print engine (about 3-4 years) in which the inkdrop is 12 picoliter.
The Epson 900 or the Photo 870/1270 uses print heads with 4 picoliter so their printouts are smoother and dots are almost invisible (you can see dots when you print photographs with the epson 3000, especially skin tones).
The Epson 900 is an excellent candidate for all-around printing but for photo-only printing then the Epson Photo 870/1270 printers are better.
The Epson Stylus 1520/3000 are sturdy printers, especially the 3000 with individual ink tanks so it is a good candidate for large volumes of prints. However, the Epson 1520/3000 use Epson's old print engine (about 3-4 years) in which the inkdrop is 12 picoliter.
The Epson 900 or the Photo 870/1270 uses print heads with 4 picoliter so their printouts are smoother and dots are almost invisible (you can see dots when you print photographs with the epson 3000, especially skin tones).
The Epson 900 is an excellent candidate for all-around printing but for photo-only printing then the Epson Photo 870/1270 printers are better.
900
1520
3000
Other brands are good don't get me wrong but I've always used epson's,
have had only 1 HP inkjet (ink went fast) and an Apple Laser I still use.
After the printer you need to think about ink cost!!! I only use Original
Epson Inks and have found them to be larger than other brands, last
longer and priced better compared to others by size.
Thx
Jorge
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
J
Jim
Guest
There are a few facts:jim wrote:
" The best lies in the eye of the beholder..."
What is the best in your opinion? I am open to suggestions. I am not sold
on any brand or type I want the best I can get for my Canon S20 camera.
Fact 1: There are 2 printers that qualify for a decent photo printing. HP and
Epson.
Fact 2: None of them is producing as good prints as a photo lab.
Fact 3: Home developing is a very expensive hobby at the present stage,
considering cost of printer, inks, paper, wasted photos etc.
Fact 4: The printers companies have us dancing in their rythm by having us devoting much time and spending a lot of money for a dubious result.
So what is best in the eye of the beholder? Picking up selectively the best of my pictures editing them with a good editor and sending them to an online developer, until the printing companies put their act together and make some decent printers. They have the ability but they do not want to do that for their own reasons. They just prefer to give it to us little by little. If you still want me to choose one, I' ll go with the HP considering the many technical flaws of the Epson that I have experienced and have been cited in this forum extensively.
Have a nice day.
M
Matt in FL
Guest
Always wondered about the epson 900.... and why no onementioned it...seems like it drop size would make it the best printer??? mattjim wrote:
" The best lies in the eye of the beholder..."
What is the best in your opinion? I am open to suggestions. I am not sold
on any brand or type I want the best I can get for my Canon S20 camera.
Tony S.22862
Active member
- Messages
- 71
- Reaction score
- 0
Arnold,You never stated what kind and brand of paper that you used on the 1270 and 870 printer,this doesn't seem right if you are having these problems with only this brand of printers.There must be something else...Tony S.
Arni
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
E
Eric
Guest
I know a professional printer who uses FOUR 900's - he says they are NOT designed specifically for PHOTO printing but you should see HIS results. They are an excellent machine and made to a standard above many so-called whizzos. My view is - if a pro uses a piece of equipment there's GOT to be a lot of good in it. Nothing is perfect but it can still be excellent.Always wondered about the epson 900.... and why no onementionedjim wrote:
" The best lies in the eye of the beholder..."
What is the best in your opinion? I am open to suggestions. I am not sold
on any brand or type I want the best I can get for my Canon S20 camera.
it...seems like it drop size would make it the best printer??? matt
Eric
D
Darrell Spreen
Guest
Actually the Epson 900 has 3 picoliter drops (what's a picoliter among friends?)Hello, jtgraphics was right about the nozzles. However, I would like to
add some thing here. Six color printers are designed to give you better
skin tones since they can make more hues than 4 color printer so 6-color
printers tend to give more shades of color which is better in photography.
The Epson Stylus 1520/3000 are sturdy printers, especially the 3000 with
individual ink tanks so it is a good candidate for large volumes of
prints. However, the Epson 1520/3000 use Epson's old print engine (about
3-4 years) in which the inkdrop is 12 picoliter.
The Epson 900 or the Photo 870/1270 uses print heads with 4 picoliter so
their printouts are smoother and dots are almost invisible (you can see
dots when you print photographs with the epson 3000, especially skin
tones).
The Epson 900 is an excellent candidate for all-around printing but for
photo-only printing then the Epson Photo 870/1270 printers are better.
and I'd choose it for several reasons - 4-color inksets show generally better
stability than the 6-color inksets (the light magenta and light cyan still change
rather rapidly after printing), you can buy many 3rd-party inksets including
archival inks and quad-tone inks, and I think the 900 has better highlight detail
than the 6-color printers. Just another opinion - I bought the 900.
900
1520
3000
Other brands are good don't get me wrong but I've always used epson's,
have had only 1 HP inkjet (ink went fast) and an Apple Laser I still use.
After the printer you need to think about ink cost!!! I only use Original
Epson Inks and have found them to be larger than other brands, last
longer and priced better compared to others by size.
Thx
Jorge
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
Quincy K. Tran
Member
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 0
As a matter of fact, I agree with Darrell that the Epson 900 is an excellent printer with its small inkdrops and sturdier nozzleheads (is it because it has more nozzles than the photo printers?). I have never seen a printout from the Epson 900 but I have heard that the result is also terrific. I would think that if you need to print large amounts of prints then this printer is suitable.
Actually the Epson 900 has 3 picoliter drops (what's a picoliter amongHello, jtgraphics was right about the nozzles. However, I would like to
add some thing here. Six color printers are designed to give you better
skin tones since they can make more hues than 4 color printer so 6-color
printers tend to give more shades of color which is better in photography.
The Epson Stylus 1520/3000 are sturdy printers, especially the 3000 with
individual ink tanks so it is a good candidate for large volumes of
prints. However, the Epson 1520/3000 use Epson's old print engine (about
3-4 years) in which the inkdrop is 12 picoliter.
The Epson 900 or the Photo 870/1270 uses print heads with 4 picoliter so
their printouts are smoother and dots are almost invisible (you can see
dots when you print photographs with the epson 3000, especially skin
tones).
The Epson 900 is an excellent candidate for all-around printing but for
photo-only printing then the Epson Photo 870/1270 printers are better.
friends?)
and I'd choose it for several reasons - 4-color inksets show generally
better
stability than the 6-color inksets (the light magenta and light cyan
still change
rather rapidly after printing), you can buy many 3rd-party inksets including
archival inks and quad-tone inks, and I think the 900 has better
highlight detail
than the 6-color printers. Just another opinion - I bought the 900.
900
1520
3000
Other brands are good don't get me wrong but I've always used epson's,
have had only 1 HP inkjet (ink went fast) and an Apple Laser I still use.
After the printer you need to think about ink cost!!! I only use Original
Epson Inks and have found them to be larger than other brands, last
longer and priced better compared to others by size.
Thx
Jorge
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
ld,Thanks Quincey!
i cant deny the 900 is a great overall printer. it is actually a picoliter less than the 870/1270 and 2 picoliters less than the hp's. stay away from hp for photo quality prints. i had 2 hp photo ret 3 printers and was able to see dithering within a foot. the 900 is extremely fast with text and does fairly well with photos. the 870/1270 is fast, but not compared to the 900. if you plan on printing over 60% photos, get the 870/1270. if just once in a while, the 900 is a great choice too.
greg
This may have no real bearing on this discussion but here it is anyway.
I am printing photo's with a Canon BJC-6000. It is the second Canon printer I have owned and never realy had a mechanical or software problem with either. The BJC-6000 uses a 6 colour system with 48 nozels per colour. After 5 months I have not even begun to suspect fading in my prints with no special drying proceedure.
Not sure how many picolitres per dot it uses but in very lite shades I can see the dots. Most casual observers will not see it but everyone reading this forum would see it in a second.
Sounds like the competing Epsons may have the quality down - though I have never done a direct comparison - but Canon seems to have decent durability.
I guess you only get what you pay for. Perhaps, as mentioned earlier on this thread, it is better to get online prints for the best photos. For now consumer printers don't compete with the commercial printers.
I am printing photo's with a Canon BJC-6000. It is the second Canon printer I have owned and never realy had a mechanical or software problem with either. The BJC-6000 uses a 6 colour system with 48 nozels per colour. After 5 months I have not even begun to suspect fading in my prints with no special drying proceedure.
Not sure how many picolitres per dot it uses but in very lite shades I can see the dots. Most casual observers will not see it but everyone reading this forum would see it in a second.
Sounds like the competing Epsons may have the quality down - though I have never done a direct comparison - but Canon seems to have decent durability.
I guess you only get what you pay for. Perhaps, as mentioned earlier on this thread, it is better to get online prints for the best photos. For now consumer printers don't compete with the commercial printers.
J
JTGraphics
Guest
Flash Back from the past.
Glad I never recommended these printers 870/1270
JTgraphics
http://www.jtgraphics.net
Glad I never recommended these printers 870/1270
JTgraphics
http://www.jtgraphics.net
900
1520
3000
Other brands are good don't get me wrong but I've always used epson's,
have had only 1 HP inkjet (ink went fast) and an Apple Laser I still use.
After the printer you need to think about ink cost!!! I only use
Original Epson Inks and have found them to be larger than other brands,
last longer and priced better compared to others by size.
Thx
Jorge
Ok. I went today and looked at printers. I think I have narrowed it down
to the Epson 870 photo printer, the 1270 photo printer. Or the HP
photosmart. I would like everyones educated opinion on this as I don't
buy printers often and I want one that will make excellent photos. That
is my main focus. SO please any opinions are appreciated!
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.