Printers

[Carrie]

I know I've asked about printers before, but now am in the process of
getting a business loan to buy new/better stuff.

I'm looking at printers, around $100-150 range (or maybe more, but a few
years old used?) injet. Something I can refill the cartridges which I thik
Epson puts a chip in to prevent. (I know, refilled isn't good for printing
but I do a LOT of practice printing and it works for that)

I was thinking maybe there are printers that work better with Publisher
(2000) than others?

I now have a Lexmark 5150 All in One (which I know is cheap, but all I
could get at the time, and I do find the photocopy- on it's own very useful
and also the fax. The scanner is a bit small, though). Maybe it's not true,
but I went though a lot of trying to set up the printer to work with
Publisher settings, so they wouldn't clash. Right now I have figured out how
to print notecards, using Publisher settings, and just leaving the Lexmark
settings default (which is 8X11- whatever paper) and it works, 2 cards per
page.

I've got a few printers written down that have been recommended or I've
read about, but now thinking maybe some work better with Publisiher (the
program) than others? Or, some that are hard to use with it.

Any ideas?

~ Carrie

 

[Mary Sauer]

A good place to start
http://reviews.cnet.com/Printers/2001-3155_7-0.html

 

[Ed Bennett]

I now have a Lexmark 5150 All in One (which I know is cheap, but
all I could get at the time, and I do find the photocopy- on it's own
very useful and also the fax. The scanner is a bit small, though).

Suggestion: use your current printer for refills and test prints, and get a
quality printer for finished documents.

If the Lexmark has an A4 scanner, that's the largest you're going to get
without buying a $5000 monstrosity.

 

[drc023]

Carrie,
From personal experience with doing a lot of printing - both offset at my
print shops and now that I'm retired from using inkjets at home for color
output. From a cost and ease of use standpoint there is no way you can beat
the Canon Pixma series of printers. Very fast and affordable with excellent
print quality. They are quite inexpensive to purchase and very low cost to
use if you refill the individual ink tanks - a process that's not so easy on
some brands, but which in the case of Canon printers is so simple and easy
that anyone can do it. Check out www.nifty-stuff.com for any help or advise
you may need regarding printing or refilling. You won't be sorry.

 

[Ed Bennett]

The HP Scanjet 8200 will scan 8½"x14" and starts at $500.

Cool. Still, for A3/Tabloid or larger, you're looking at the high-end laser
MFPs.

 

[Carrie]

I'm not sure what size 4A is, I just measured it's 11 1/2 by 8 3/4 (the
Lexmark)

The one I had before (I gave away when I got this) was longer. maybe 11"
wise by 17" long. though I think the inside was more like 14" (I'm going by
the space it took up on my computer table, since I no longer have it) Arco
brand, Not expensieve and I had it for several years.

I know,.bigger pictures can be scanned in two parts and put together.

I think that's what I meant by something bigger. Longer.

There's a lot to find out and figure out with cameras, scanners, printers
and computers... and there are new ones coming out all the time. I think out
of what I would use it for (amount of use) the scanner would be 4th on the
list of importance right now. And I do have one.

~ Carrie

 

[Ed Bennett]

I'm not sure what size 4A is, I just measured it's 11 1/2 by 8 3/4
(the Lexmark)

A4 (not 4A) is a universal standard size, 297 x 210mm (8.27 x 11.61"). It's
roughly equivalent to the antiquated Letter size so popular in the States.

The one I had before (I gave away when I got this) was longer. maybe
11" wise by 17" long. though I think the inside was more like 14"
(I'm going by the space it took up on my computer table, since I no
longer have it) Arco brand, Not expensieve and I had it for several
years.

Perhaps "Legal" sized - 8.5 x 14"?

The only scanner I've been able to find (at least the last time I bothered
to search) that scans up to A3 (~11 x 17", tabloid) is a Mustek, and Mustek
scanners in my experience are the biggest piles of faeces I've ever seen.

I know,.bigger pictures can be scanned in two parts and put together.

Not as easily as it sounds, in my limited experience. Perhaps it gets
easier with practise.

 

[Carrie]

Thanks, Ron

That's what I'm looking for actual names and people who have had experience
using them.

My first printer (I got "free" with my first computer set up in 1998)
was a Canon BJC-240. I used it to death (LOL) and it kept on going. I
refilled it (all I did was the black ones then, and you had to take one out
and put the other in to switch to color, as you probably know).

The printer worked and kept on working till around late last winter,
when all of a sudden it just didn't work (power) I took it apart and tried
putting the plug wire in directly (thinking the plug end might have broken
inside) and nothing. That's when I got the Lexmark All in One 5150.

People used to tell me the Canon BJC-250 (and series) was cheap junk.
Maybe if I had believed that it would have been, but it lasted 7 years for
me.

I started an Excel spreadsheep for printers (and cameras) but got
sidetracked when I realized I don't know how to set up/use Excel
spreadsheets (did some tutorials, learned some, but now think writing it
down on a piece of paper might be the same idea?)

Copy/pasted from the spread sheet, what I have so far (and only prices of a
few I looked for on Amazon, which might not be the best place to buy) some I
hadn't even gotten to prices yet. Ones someone had mentioned I'd jotted
down.

With cameras, up till now, I've thought buying a good (expensive a few
years back) camera for less, used on ebay was the way to go. At least with
the ones I've bought (last 2 Epson- a 650 and 750Z(zoom) it was all I could
afford. They were 5-6 years old at the time. I suppose buying new is
probably better, for guarantees, etc.
----------------------------------------------

HP 32-C

HP deskjet 1220TX 1

Canon Pixma ip6600D phopto printer Amazon 179.00 like new
Canon Pixma ip6600D phopto printer Amazon 164.48 new
Canon Pixma ip6600D phopto printer Amazon 199.99 list

Fuji 660d

Fuji frontier

Canon 1560
----------------
I have a pixma down 3 times (even before I read you recommedning it)
With the Lexmark printer, I learned there is much variation in price (new)
Someone who had recommended it said they bought it at Best Buy for $129 on
sale. I found it on Amazon at many different prices (new and used) and ended
up buying it NEW (from an Amazon seller) for $68 which included the
shipping. And the seller said if you needed the USB cord for it ($8
elsewhere) he'd throw one in. I had a few of them, but wasn't sure the ends
were the same (for a printer) so asked for one, and it was different than
the ones I had.

Oh, while I have EXCEL open (I just discovered I can copy/paste from
it)these are teh cameras I have down. No reason other than someone has
mentioned them (sometimes more than once) or I saw the name somewhere. the
numbers (1) after them is number that recommended them (this was in the
spreadsheet) I've been told Canon and Nikon have the best lenses. The Nikon
CoolPix 8800 I saw several places with pictures that seemed big and clear. I
haven't even checked the prices on most.

Canon PowershotS215 1
Canon EOS5D
Canon 200
Canon 300D
Nikon Coolpix8800
Panosonic Lumix DMC-F25 1 $460 with extras on ebay (someone said this)
Panosonic FZ30(230) 1
Panosonic 540 1
Sony DSC-F707 1
Sony 7828 1

Maybe there's a place online that has good prices where I could get the
printer and camera (at the same time, not together like a deal)

Thanks for all the help!

~ Carrie



I

 

[Terje M]

Canon Pixma is the best value for money, and also the ink tanks are among
the cheapest on the market and lasts for a long time.
I have had HP, Epson, Lexmark and Canon. Canon forever hereafter!
My current one is a Pixma IP4000, print borderless and nice photos as well.

Regards Terje

 

[Carrie]

A4 (not 4A) is a universal standard size, 297 x 210mm (8.27 x 11.61"). It's
roughly equivalent to the antiquated Letter size so popular in the States.


Perhaps "Legal" sized - 8.5 x 14"?

The only scanner I've been able to find (at least the last time I bothered
to search) that scans up to A3 (~11 x 17", tabloid) is a Mustek, and Mustek
scanners in my experience are the biggest piles of faeces I've ever seen.


Not as easily as it sounds, in my limited experience. Perhaps it gets
easier with practise.

Yes, it probably is legal size. My pevious (arco) scanner. The Lexmark
All in one is more square. I just photocopied some legal papers for someone,
a few were "legal size" and had do each one twice, top and bottom (didn't
put them together)
easier with practise.

Someone showed me how to do this when I was just starting out with scanners
(and Paint Shop Pro). Using canvas size (making it bigger) and adding the
2nd part to it (zoomed in as much as possible to show where it would line
up) We were scanning comic book art pages on drawing board that wouldn't fit
on all at once. The 2nd part can be moved around till it lines up exactly.
One can overlap the other.

I'm glad I didn't know it wasn't easy when I learned it (LOL)

Not sure, an actual photo might be different, but most photos aren't that
big so I've not (yet) had to do it.

~ Carrie

 

[Carrie]

You'll see in another post from Terje that he highly recommends the Canon
Pixma ip4000. I also have that same printer and as he says, it is a fabulous
printer. The only drawback is that it's been replaced by the ip4200/ip5200
series which uses a chipped tank which doesn't restrict refilling, but does
note that you have done so (big deal = not). The ip6600 you mentioned is a
six tank model CMYK PC PM. The ip4000/4200/5200 are 5 tank models which have
CMYK and a larger pigmented black tank for plain paper printing. While it
might seem that the lack of the PC & PM tanks would take its toll on print
quality, I haven't found that to be the case. I've also owned several of the
6 tank models and I really prefer the ip4000 which I now use over any of my
other Canon printers. You can get ip4200's for less than $100 if you shop
around. You also mentioned digital cameras. I've purchased five Olympus
models so far from various sources (three were for gifts, none have broken).
Once again if you shop carefully you can get some great prices on them. Just
like my printers they've come from eBay, Amazon and a few online stores. I
currently use an Olympus c-765 Ultra Zoom which is a great camera and not
very expensive, but if I was willing to spend a few hundred more dollars I'd
get a DSLR Olympus Evolt E-300. It's getting some great reviews. I'm partial
to Olympus, but you won't go wrong with Canon (anyone want to donate a
Digital Rebel to me???) or Nikon models either. They just cost a little
more. If you want some really good printer and camera reviews go to
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

I've been looking on steves-digicams. Came back to check in (takes a long
time to look over all the models, even just Canon in one series!)

One thing I noticed about the Nikons I looked at, I don't like the
looks (LOL) I mean, overall, they are weird looking. I know, just a personal
quirk!

Right now I have down (but haven't looked around for lower prices) for
cameras,

Canon Power Shot G6

Canon PS S70

Found another similar one but it uses 4 AA batteries and even
rechargeable, I do NOT want anymore of these! I want a lithium in the
camera rechangeable. Have been using my daughters's Sony Mavica which does
this, and once charged it works for 2 hours. I've had it with AA batteries,
even good ones, sometimes not working, and running out.

Have to do more research on cameras, and look around at prices. On
Steve's it gives some places and prices but not all.. Some of the reviews
say 04 oe 05 so maybe they would be on ebay, Amazon, etc by now for less.
Not to be cheap, but when I looked for my Lexmark All in One, someone told
me they got it on sale at BestBuy for $129 and I found it (new- with free
USB cord) from an Amazon seller, for $68 (with the shipping)

As to printers... would you believe I had narrowed it down to the Canon
IP4000? And came on here and you were recommending it. I was going to ask if
4800X1200 dpi is good enough (for printing notecards, and such) I haven't
yet gotten to learning much about resolution and printing. It sounds like a
lot to me.

But, what is it about it being replace by another model? If I find the
IP4000 I will then have a problem getting replacement tanks or ink, or
something for it? Should I get the newer model? (It says the ink has been
refilled- I assume it doesn't say this on what you print (LOL)

Was talking to my daughter and she said a few years ago she bought a
Canon printer (doesn't remember which) and when it ran out of ink found it
had been discontinued and she couldn't get cartridges for it.

On this same topic, I've been told I shouldn't refill cartridges to do
printing (like my plan to print notecards and flyers) I refill my Lexmark
(get ink from Atlantic ink co, in bottles, and it says on it for this
printer) it doesn't seem any different. Are there different qualities of ink
one can get (for the Canon, for example) that might be better for printing
cards, etc? Like some better for photos, on glossy paper. When I had the
Canon BJC-250 (I had for so long) they sold color cartridges and also ones
for photos. I had each kind at times and didn't seem much difference, but I
didn't do a real study on it. I never refilled the color ones on that, just
the black.

Sometime next week I will have the money for this, do you have some
good names to buy from? (Camera and printer)? Amazon usually has sellers
(selling new, for lower prices) The past few times I've tried to buy
something from Amazon (overall) they say my debit card is rejected. I wrote
to ask why they say they don't know ask the bank, I ask the bank they say
they have no idea (LOL) Last time I cancelled my account (set up) with them,
and bought it (for less) from overstock.com. My debit card is fine
everywhere else and used to work for Amazon. (Margoolotta will be telling me
I'm off topic (LOL) But, I think cameras and printers (and paper, and ink)
aren't that far off topic with Publisher. It all works together.

Thanks for all the help, someone who has experience is the one who
knows.

~ Carrie

 

[Ed Bennett]

I'm glad I didn't know it wasn't easy when I learned it (LOL)

I tend to have trouble lining it up - normally because one scan is at a
slightly different angle to the other, causing misalignment.

 

[Ed Bennett]

Found another similar one but it uses 4 AA batteries and even
rechargeable, I do NOT want anymore of these! I want a lithium in the
camera rechangeable. Have been using my daughters's Sony Mavica which
does this, and once charged it works for 2 hours. I've had it with AA
batteries, even good ones, sometimes not working, and running out.

Note that with batteries, if your camera battery runs out and it's not AA,
you're pretty stuck, unless you have two, with one perpetually on charge.

My Kodak takes AA size batteries, but also has an Li-ion rechargeable
battery available that takes up the same space.

 

[drc023]

I've been looking on steves-digicams. Came back to check in (takes a long
time to look over all the models, even just Canon in one series!)

One thing I noticed about the Nikons I looked at, I don't like the
looks (LOL) I mean, overall, they are weird looking. I know, just a
personal
quirk!

Right now I have down (but haven't looked around for lower prices) for
cameras,

Canon Power Shot G6

Canon PS S70

Found another similar one but it uses 4 AA batteries and even
rechargeable, I do NOT want anymore of these! I want a lithium in the
camera rechangeable. Have been using my daughters's Sony Mavica which does
this, and once charged it works for 2 hours. I've had it with AA
batteries,
even good ones, sometimes not working, and running out.

Have to do more research on cameras, and look around at prices. On
Steve's it gives some places and prices but not all.. Some of the reviews
say 04 oe 05 so maybe they would be on ebay, Amazon, etc by now for less.
Not to be cheap, but when I looked for my Lexmark All in One, someone told
me they got it on sale at BestBuy for $129 and I found it (new- with free
USB cord) from an Amazon seller, for $68 (with the shipping)

As to printers... would you believe I had narrowed it down to the Canon
IP4000? And came on here and you were recommending it. I was going to ask
if
4800X1200 dpi is good enough (for printing notecards, and such) I haven't
yet gotten to learning much about resolution and printing. It sounds like
a
lot to me.

But, what is it about it being replace by another model? If I find the
IP4000 I will then have a problem getting replacement tanks or ink, or
something for it? Should I get the newer model? (It says the ink has been
refilled- I assume it doesn't say this on what you print (LOL)

Was talking to my daughter and she said a few years ago she bought a
Canon printer (doesn't remember which) and when it ran out of ink found it
had been discontinued and she couldn't get cartridges for it.

On this same topic, I've been told I shouldn't refill cartridges to do
printing (like my plan to print notecards and flyers) I refill my Lexmark
(get ink from Atlantic ink co, in bottles, and it says on it for this
printer) it doesn't seem any different. Are there different qualities of
ink
one can get (for the Canon, for example) that might be better for printing
cards, etc? Like some better for photos, on glossy paper. When I had the
Canon BJC-250 (I had for so long) they sold color cartridges and also ones
for photos. I had each kind at times and didn't seem much difference, but
I
didn't do a real study on it. I never refilled the color ones on that,
just
the black.

Sometime next week I will have the money for this, do you have some
good names to buy from? (Camera and printer)? Amazon usually has sellers
(selling new, for lower prices) The past few times I've tried to buy
something from Amazon (overall) they say my debit card is rejected. I
wrote
to ask why they say they don't know ask the bank, I ask the bank they say
they have no idea (LOL) Last time I cancelled my account (set up) with
them,
and bought it (for less) from overstock.com. My debit card is fine
everywhere else and used to work for Amazon. (Margoolotta will be telling
me
I'm off topic (LOL) But, I think cameras and printers (and paper, and ink)
aren't that far off topic with Publisher. It all works together.

Thanks for all the help, someone who has experience is the one who
knows.

~ Carrie

The Canon PS G6 looks like a great camera. A little pricey, but worth it. Be
sure to also check out the Olympus Evolt and the C-8080. These are great
cameras and there's some really good deals online (even eBay). When it comes
to batteries, don't be put off by AA's. Rechargeable AA NiMH's are very
inexpensive and have a lot of power. I have cameras which use AA's and ones
that use Li-Ion and I prefer the AA's. While AA's may be heavier and
increase the camera bulk, they have the advantage of being readily available
in case you run out of rechargeable and need to get some alkaline to finish
the photo session. Unless you can get extra Li-Ions at a steep discount on
eBay, they can be pretty expensive.

The Canon ip4000 has been discontinued and is replaced by the ip4200 and
ip5200 series. The ip4000 uses BCI-6 ink tanks which are the easiest thing
in the world to refill. The newer printers use CLI-8 tanks which have an ink
monitoring chip built in. It does not restrict refilling, but does make note
of the fact that refilling has been done (big deal - so what?). I don't
really understand why your daughter would have encountered a problem getting
ink tanks for her older Canon inkjet. One of the advantages with Canon
printers is that they don't have a wide variety of ink cartridges based on
machine model. Rather, the same ink tanks work in quite a few different
printers. Note that the cartridges for the ip4000 and ip4200/5200 models
a.k.a. Pixma are nothing more than plastic ink holders. This is one of the
reasons the tanks are so easy to refill. Buy a quality refill ink and inject
it into the reservoir - see www.nifty-stuff.com for complete discussions on
Canon ink and refilling. The print head is a completely separate and
replaceable part. I noticed that you get your Lexmark ink from Atlantic Ink.
I believe they are one of the known suppliers of Sensient-Formulabs ink.
www.alotofthings.com is the other. Formulabs is a very high quality ink. I
use it along with ink from www.hobbicolors.com. The results with either ink
are outstanding and I can't tell any difference between oem ink and either
one of these - except for the massive cost savings. Once you've done two
complete refills, you've saved more than the cost of a new printer. By the
third refill the savings are really mounting up. If you are comfortable
refilling your Lexmark cartridges, then you can do the Canon tanks with your
eyes closed and one hand tied behind your back (almost). Be sure to look at
the printer reviews on Steve's Digicams. There is a complete explanation of
the Canon Think-Tank System in the reviews for each printer.

As to online outlets, I've had good luck with Amazon, eBay individual
sellers, the Olympus eBay store and some other vendor sites. It's really
hard to recommend any particular one because prices fluctuate rapidly and
what is a good buy this week at one store may not exist in a few days. The
main thing to do is find a good price and then do your research to make sure
the seller is reputable.

 

[Carrie]

Thanks this is a big help

I'm narrowing it down. I have been using rechargeable AA NiMH batteries in
my (old) Epson Camera, and I think the problems with it is because of the
camera. Maybe getting old and tired or the door that holds the batteries
down getting loose with age. I even get 2300 power batteries.

One Canon I like but got turned off by the AA batteries is Canono S215
PowerShot.

I have in my rough notes 12X zoom and shutter 1/32000 sec (the fastest
35 mm SLR I remember having was 1/1000) I guess this would be manual
settings and also have auto, too.

That's a good point about the lithium batteries running out and not being
able to just grab AAs to keep going. The Mavica I was using has one but in
camera charging. Once charged it lasted 2 hours, though.

Right now on my notes I have:

Canon
Power shot G6
Canon PS S70
Canon S215 (AA batteries) This says it has 12X Zoom, don't know how much
I'd use that, but might be good to have. I think too much zoom (built in)
doesn't come out clear.

I have mountain views out back that were hardly noticable with my first
camera Epson photoPC 650. I wanted a zoom! So, I finally got the 750Z
(again, used on ebay, maybe 5 years old and the one I currently have) and
realized that zooming in on the mountains, took away from the overall look
of the scene.
The answer would probably be to get closer to mountains.(LOL)

Cameras on my list are from $400-600 (and I got the prices from reviews,
think from 04 and 05 and haven't done any looking for deals yet)
Also have the name Canon 300D and PRO 1

I had down Nikon Coolpix 8800 I saw some great pictures taken with it,
but just don't like the looks of the camera. The actual LOOK of it is
strange.

I think right now it's a matter of process of elimination (with cameras)
and checking out prices. I like the Pixma printers from what I've heard and
seen. (I finally did get so I could refill the Lexmark, I think I was
overfilling them when I first started). Using Atlantic Ink Co from an online
recommend. I have the syringes and ink in small bottles, at this point. Not
the "kits" to refill with, never could get them to work good.

Once I was refilling the black ink on the Canon BJC-250 with a kit and the
needle flew off the syringe (from the pressure) spraying black ink all over
the computer, walls, and ME (my face and arms) It was almost funny, and DID
wash off before I went to my daughters big, formal wedding the week after. I
still have ink spots on the wall, though.

I love technology!

Oh, as to the printers with the separate print heads (not part of the
cartridge) seems like this would be the way to go, anyway. It makes sense!
But, I think a lot of printers sell them cheap and then make money on people
buying the cartridges.

~ Carrie

 

[Carrie]

Canon Pixma is the best value for money, and also the ink tanks are among
the cheapest on the market and lasts for a long time.
I have had HP, Epson, Lexmark and Canon. Canon forever hereafter!
My current one is a Pixma IP4000, print borderless and nice photos as well.

Regards Terje

Thanks Terje

This is the one I had picked but it says it's discontinued. Though I don;t
know why that would matter, if I was getting ink and refilling it?

Maybe find a lower price because of this?

The ones I saw online (without specifically looking for deals) were around
$149

When I bought my Lexmark last year, someone told me they bought one for $129
on sale FROM $149. I ended up getting a new one (with USB cord included) for
$68 total (with shipping) from an Amazon Seller.

So, it pays to look around.

If you don't get a low price then $30 or something shipping (LOL)

~ Carrie

 

[Carrie]

My Kodak takes AA size batteries, but also has an Li-ion rechargeable
battery available that takes up the same space.

This actually sounds like the best bet.

With the Mavica I was using, with the lithium battery, it was rechanged in
the camera, so I don't know if there was an option to have an extra one.
Though it could be changed in the camera, taken out and another one put in.

That is a good point, though.

Maybe it's been my camera that have turned me off AA batteries. Both my
Epsons seemed to have problems, like they'd stop working (even when I
thought the batteries were fully charged) or take a few shots and quit. I
carry a bag of charged batteries around and sometimes have to keep changing
them

I'm thinking something is worn, like the contacts inside the battery
holder (one side is on the door that closes)

~ Carrie

 

[Ed Bennett]

I'm thinking something is worn, like the contacts inside the battery
holder (one side is on the door that closes)

On my parents' Kodak, the battery door has broken (something's snapped off
or something) that means that it doesn't quite hold the batteries in place
enough to draw power (but enough to discharge them whilst they're being
stored in the camera). Most irritating.

 

[DavidF]

I found a source for the Canon pixma IP4000. Tigerdirect.com has them at
$109.99 while quantities last. Yes, they are last year's model, but there
are some advantages from what I have read.

FWIW, do not buy a Lexmark or a Dell printer, which is made by Lexmark.

DavidF

 

[Terje M]

Yes, there is a new model called 4200, but they are pretty much alike.
Do not worry about ink cartridges, Canon uses the same for a lot of
different models!

Regards Terje