Canon 5100

[KevinA]

The Canon range of printers does not get mentioned here much, the 5100 looks to be on paper a good machine, are there catches you all know about I don't?
Also do HP make a A2 quality machine, there web site is so badly organised I'm clueless as to what each does, i can find A2 printers but their spec looks less than 24inch upwards. They list so many printers I might be missing one.

Kevin.

[jdoyle1713]

kevin

the Canon is a Nice Machine Here is a Link to the Best Canon Info ..

http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/message/list/FAQ

This Month Canon Has a Super deal On The 8100 44 inch Machine ( Excellent price and Free Media)

HP Doesnt have a 17 inch model and Epson Has The 3800 or 4880 All The Machines today print well It just depends on the person and what they want to print!

Hope this Helps

Cheers
jim Doyle
http://www.shadesofpaper.com

[hsmeets]

The Canon range of printers does not get mentioned here much, the 5100 looks to be on paper a good machine, are there catches you all know about I don't?
Also do HP make a A2 quality machine, there web site is so badly organised I'm clueless as to what each does, i can find A2 printers but their spec looks less than 24inch upwards. They list so many printers I might be missing one.

Kevin.

Hi Kevin,

I own a 5100, for 17" the 'only' choices are more or less: epson 3800, epson 4880 (or any of the bigger machines from any brand).

5100: The two things you should be aware of are 1) the costs of the printingheads (two of them) if you would need to replace them. With current rebates/promotion here in the Netherlands a complete 5100 is as cheap/costly as 2 new heads....(1400 Euro's) and 2) the mediasettings cannot be altered (vacuum, platen gap, ink laydown etc etc) and are limited to the one's canon has defined for their own range of media. That is not a big issue as many, if not all, 3rd party paper suppliers give advice which media settings to use for epson/hp/canon printers.

The reason why they arent mentioned here much? i only can guess: less marketshare, less troublesome, less hyped, who knows...

[abiggs]

I have had a 5100 for a while now, and I print somewhere around 3,000 prints a year on the machine. It has been a great printer for me, even though I have had some support issues related to a squeaky gear. The printer has some unique issues related to paper handling and the use of specific media types, but once you learn how to properly use the printer with 3rd party papers you are good to go. I love the ability to switch black inks on the fly, without an expensive swap. I also have an iPF 8100, and between the two of them they have been great for me. I don't notice any quality differences between them, and one can easily be used as a proofing printer for the other.

I would have considered a 4880, but I would need two units to prevent having to switch black inks. And the 3800 doesn't meet my needs from a paper handling standpoint. Both of the Epsons are great printers, but as I have learned so are the Canons.

[Zeitz]

The print head gap and vacuum are set view the menu on the printer.

[KevinA]

Has anyone had to buy new printheads for a Canon printer yet, if so after what time/quantity ?

Thanks,

Kevin.

[Mike_Dougan]

The reason why they arent mentioned here much? i only can guess: less marketshare, less troublesome, less hyped, who knows...

I have assumed the reason the iPF printers don't get mentioned here much is because they just work and work and that the owners are happy and have few if any issues! Maybe a bit tongue in cheek as I'm a very happy iPF5100 owner.




Mike

[Wayne Fox]

I have assumed the reason the iPF printers don't get mentioned here much is because they just work and work and that the owners are happy and have few if any issues! Maybe a bit tongue in cheek as I'm a very happy iPF5100 owner.




Mike

I think there is something to that, and I also believe most don't come here when they do need answers .. the wiki is an amazing resource and most of the answers are already there..

  There aren't as many users as well, and for some reason some dealers are reluctant to carry or sell them. I know 3 dealers here in my market that just don't want to carry them - they say they just don't sell.  I've had good success with an iPF 6100 and am very pleased with the output, though the learning curve is a little more complex than an Epson.  The wiki helps tremendously with that problem.  I still prefer my Epson 11880, and am replacing the Canon with an Epson 7900 as soon as it arrives, but that isn't a knock on the Canon, just a desire to stay more consistent and my preference for the completely straight paper path the Epson offers for stiff sheet papers.  The 7900 solution for MK/PK ink switching is completely acceptable to me, so I decided to get the 7900.

[Pete Berry]

Has anyone had to buy new printheads for a Canon printer yet, if so after what time/quantity ?

Thanks,

Kevin.

Both printheads on my 5000 were replaced under warranty after nearly a year of moderate usage (about 1200 sq ft), failing within a couple of weeks of each other. Canon service was exemplary - with a single phone call for each, a $600 new generation PF-3 head was overnighted, with a pre-paid mailer for return of the old one.

I took this opportunity to upgrade to the four new grayscale inks of the x100 series.

There've been a few other failures of the old PF-1 heads mentioned in the Wiki, and I believe one or two under warranty in x100 machines. There have been reports of huge printing volumns of over 24,000 sq ft without problems. The new heads, which have a teflon coating in the nozzles, should be even more clog-resistant.

Pete

[Mark F]

, but once you learn how to properly use the printer with 3rd party papers you are good to go.

I'm looking at either the Epson 3800 or the Canon 5100 also, and will be using 3rd party papers.  Could you explain what is involved in learning to use them properly? Thanks.

[abiggs]

I'm looking at either the Epson 3800 or the Canon 5100 also, and will be using 3rd party papers.  Could you explain what is involved in learning to use them properly? Thanks.

Here is a link that will save your life:

http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/Media+Type+Paper+Paths

The biggest challenge with the printer is learning which media type works with which media paths. If you are going to create your own profiles, you have to experiment a little bit. A good rule of thumb is to use Premium Matte Paper for all matte papers and the Heavyweight Semi Gloss Photo Paper for all glossy type papers. Once you get setup the printer really is fairly easy to use.

[Wayne Fox]

I'm looking at either the Epson 3800 or the Canon 5100 also, and will be using 3rd party papers.  Could you explain what is involved in learning to use them properly? Thanks.

With the Epson, most manufacturers tell you the Epson paper equivalent settings to use.  The 3800 is a very good printer.  The 5100 is physically quite large compared to the 3800.  I have my 3800 sitting on my desk.  That may or may not be a factor.

One of the complaints I have about my Canon is there are just so many paper choices ... very confusing.  As mentioned, the wiki is a must if you are setting up a Canon.  It's not terrible ... just seems it should be easier - that applies to a lot of things when it comes to the Canon.

Both have great output.  If you need roll paper, or switch between MK and PK a lot, the Canon makes more sense.  I think the Epson is overall easier to use.

[jdoyle1713]

Heck At The price Of The Machine Today.. Its almost worth buying a New one instead Of buying a Printhead after the warranty is up.. You get a full set of Starter Inks and two new Print heads.. About the same cost..

Heads a under warranty for one year!

Cheers
Jim Doyle
http://www.shadesofpaper.com

[Scott Martin]

With the Epson, most manufacturers tell you the Epson paper equivalent settings to use.  The 3800 is a very good printer.  The 5100 is physically quite large compared to the 3800.  I have my 3800 sitting on my desk.  That may or may not be a factor.

The 3800 has the advantage of a smaller footprint. The 5100, while large, has the advantage of printing from rolls, larger ink cartridges, simultaneous dual black ink support and speed.

One of the complaints I have about my Canon is there are just so many paper choices ... very confusing.

The grass is always greener right? We complain about their not being enough choices. We complain about there being too many choices. At least Canon let's you turn off the media selections you don't want to see. If you just use "Premium Matte" and "Matte Canvas" you can turn off the rest so all you see is those two. Plus, I think it's cool that Canon is the only one that helps us use 3rd party papers by providing the Special 1-10 settings.

Lots of differences to discuss between the brands...

[hsmeets]

The 3800 has the advantage of a smaller footprint. The 5100, while large, has the advantage of printing from rolls, larger ink cartridges, simultaneous dual black ink support and speed.


The grass is always greener right? We complain about their not being enough choices. We complain about there being too many choices. At least Canon let's you turn off the media selections you don't want to see. If you just use "Premium Matte" and "Matte Canvas" you can turn off the rest so all you see is those two. Plus, I think it's cool that Canon is the only one that helps us use 3rd party papers by providing the Special 1-10 settings.

Lots of differences to discuss between the brands...

Scott,

thanks for reminding me of the media config utility....I completely forgot that one to limit the media choices!

[Rob Reiter]

I've had Epson printers-now, the 9800-for 6 years and the Canon 8100 for two months. Going back to the Epson, with its head clogs and slowness, is painful. Both produce excellent prints. I'd give the nod to the Canon for it's blues and slightly denser blacks on matte paper and of course, its dual black in cartridges. The 16 bit plug-in makes printing easy-much easier than the Epson driver, although I use ImagePrint on the Epson and it's the easiest of all.

As a commercial studio, I will certainly look at the new Epsons when they become available, but if you need the printer now, I would have no problem suggesting the Canon x100 line. I'm very happy with my 8100.

The Canon range of printers does not get mentioned here much, the 5100 looks to be on paper a good machine, are there catches you all know about I don't?
Also do HP make a A2 quality machine, there web site is so badly organised I'm clueless as to what each does, i can find A2 printers but their spec looks less than 24inch upwards. They list so many printers I might be missing one.

Kevin.

[Gerryb]

I am now considering purchasing a canon 5100 rather than a HP Zseries. Can anyone advise on the best place/price in the UK/Ireland to purchase from, please.

[AlanG]

I have a Canon 6100 on order and hope I'll be happy with it. I've had an Epson 7600 since they first come out and it has made plenty of nice prints. (Within the limitations of its ink technology.) What I don't like about it is the head clogging. If I don't print for a while, I'll have to clean the heads many times before all nozzles work.  It gets pretty frustrating.  

I have owned 4 Epson desktop printers over the years and every one has had issues with head clogging.  On the other hand, I have had several desktop Canon printers and none has had a problem with clogging. I can't think of anything that would convince me to buy another Epson at this point.