Mark: Just wanted to pipe in that I've continued to ponder this over the past month. I think I'm coming to the conclusion that my original intention of upgrading from a dye-based Canon Pixma Pro 100 to Canon's new 17-inch Pro-1000 will not happen. Instead, I'm increasingly inclined to give the Epson P800 a shot. The P600 is essentially the same size I already have, so there's not enough "oomph" to make that appealing for the $ spent. On the other hand, moving from a 13-inch to a 17-inch adds a bit. Where the Epson appeals is in the footprint, weight, and roll feed option. Basically, I can have a smaller, lighter printer that can produce bigger prints and panoramas. That's appealing. Add the fact that the head clogs seem less problem-some than in the past together with some of the early month problems that folks report here with Canon... and I think the two are likely more even on service and reliability than perhaps I'd judged as favoring Canon in the past. I've checked with others who suggest there is a difference between these two in how they formulate their inks and this has an impact on glossies. Some suggest this favors Canon; others that Canon has caught up to Epson. For the most part, I'm considering the two reasonably close in quality and ahead of my current solution so that it's important to pay attention to the other details. In this, I hear the reds and blacks in Epson are well liked. I'd like to make a comparison myself, but I'm not sure where that option's available outside of Chicago or New York.
I've also tried to make some sense of why Epson's seemed to have 3rd party software for printing (but Canon did not until more recently), and wondered whether that was due to problems/needs with the Epson, larger installed base, or what have you, but contacted Imageprint and heard that in some respect the availability depends on whether the manufacturer publishes the machine's protocols so that there's an openness to 3rd party drivers. Way into the weeds for me on much of this, but Kevin's made a case that some of the software offers a stability in workflow and ease of use that will outlast the particular printer, and I find that compelling. Imageprint also will drive the new Canon, but seems the forte' is Epsons. With my current Canon, I've gotten used to having it in the closet on wireless. An Epson would fit, but it may be better from a humidity perspective to have it down in the basement - especially if you add the roll feature accessories. I agree with those who post that it's not just the technical aspects of photography that are important, but the enjoyment of the process counts, too. That's a principle that guided me to recently replace all my lenses in moving to almost exclusive shooting fully manual. It ain't quick, but it's control and has a feel to the process I like... making the whole more fun. On the other hand, anything that can take the headaches out of printing... where I'm not looking to get into the weeds, but let software or someone else's genius let me see my work with as little fuss as possible. Plenty of folks will no doubt respond there's nothing added in Imageprint that LR or PS can't do... or perhaps even my favorite, Capture One. Paper profiling for the specific printer is also something Imageprint does... and though we're supposed to be able to load the manufacturer's profiles into software like Capture One, I've not figured that out yet, nor have I been certain that real whether it's Capture One or Canon that's controlling my output. This fuzziness doesn't become me. So I'm going to give Imageprint a try - even if I'd agree with others on the pricing as a bit steep. Truth be told, it's probably more reasonable than it seems if you were to consider 1) it's a small company, 2) they're doing service bureau-type work in some respects in profiling, and 3) the results and/or ease of generating them... are SUPPOSED to be worth the cost. Mileage may vary? Sure. I'll have to check mine, too!
But first things first. Don't know when I'm gonna pull this trigger, but there are discounts out there. Yes, the last ones just expired only to be replaced with new ones. Funny, huh? Any way, Thank you for your posts on printing, your articles and your interest in helping others. You're a real credit to the field, the profession, and even to those of us back-of-the-curve amateurs. Keep it up!!
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