Looking for a photo printer....any suggestions or advice?

[IanW505]

Like the title says, i'm looking to buy a nice photo printer for my mom. Reasonably priced (under a few hundred dollars) would be nice, but most of all i'm just looking for quality, while still being easy to operate. She's not the most electronically-gifted person. Anyone have suggestions or experiences with some they can toss my way? Unfortunately i'm at school, and can't go out to browse. Many thanks!

-Ian

[84porsche]

I would recommend taking a look at Epson products for photo printing. I have an older model and when I do print pictures they are awesome. I am sure the newer products are much faster and more efficient.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001FDPZ6/ref=pd_ts_e_7/102-7471107-7521747?v=glance&s=electronics&n=229182

[Alan Cottrill]

I really like my hp photosmart 7350. it has a built in media reader and prints proof sheets then you can pick the pictures you want to print and print directly from the printer...don't even need to load the pictures in the computer unless you want to edit the photos. got it at costco for around $150. for about $50 more you can get the same model but it includes a LCD display that lets you preview the pics before printing eliminating the need to print a proof sheet. prints are better that kodak prints from 35mm film.

[Moneyguy1]

HP7960

Reliable, excellent quality prints 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10s

[VINMAN]

I'd go with the Epsons

[osidak]

While I would love to have a photo printer. However everytime I think I may buy one I get stuck on printing costs.

Places like Ofoto and Wolf Camera ect. charge $0.27 for a 4x6 photo
A photo printer will run you about $1.15+ a page. A page will hold two 4x6 photos

You are already $0.61 in the whole after two pictures printer cost's

So lets say you print 24 4x6 pictures
Ofoto = $6.48

Home Printing = $13.80

So I can not justify dropping $150+ so I can pay more to print my own photos. That being said I believe Epson is the lowest cost per photo of the photo printers.

[trj911]

I have 3 various HP photosmart models that will print photos or regular paper printing needs and they all do a nice job but I have to agree with Osidak, from a financial point, use Ofoto or Walmart or Target. But it is nice to be able to quickly print out a pic for someone when necessary but for volume pics, I use Walmart.

[Overpaid Slacker]

My Canon i960 produces prints better than many labs. It self-cleans and calibrates and is a snap to use. $.02

JP

[RickM]

I have an older Fargo Dye-Sub(limation) printer that basically spits out professional quality pics. It is very slow, however.

You may want to investigate and consider the latest offerings using this technology.

[LeeH]

Yep... photo printing at home is expensive. These things are like razors... sold cheap so you'll have to buy the overpriced ink.

That being said, we've been very happy with our Epson CX5200. It's a multifunction that we got for under $100 after rebate. I never knew how much we needed a copier until we got this the Epson. It's big and makes a horrendous noise when loading paper, but we love it.

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Epson_Stylus_CX5200/4852-3181_16-20584412.html

[campbellcj]

We've got the Canon i960 (or it may be a 950...very similar regardless) and the quality is awesome. Bundled drivers and print software are not bad either. Of course the evil part of all these printers is the supply costs -- not only ink but paper as well. For whatever reason, this printer does not work well on anything but Canon paper! I have tried HP and Kodak paper that I got on sale or as a gift...no dice.

Now they even have a Kodak print kiosk at my local Albertsons (supermarket); if you don't need instant gratification then the home printers are an expensive luxury.