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Author Topic: Printer, Paper  (Read 4331 times)

Zeitz

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Printer, Paper
« on: January 05, 2008, 04:11:22 pm »

Over the holidays I had the chance to try out a new Canon 5100 printer.  I am relatively new to digital printing.  All my prior experience has been with Canon dye-based printers.  My personal preference is for sharp, saturated, glossy prints.  I would like to share my findings.  I tried both B&W and color images.  Perhaps I’m not getting the most out of the papers or the printer.  So your comments would be appreciated.

First I tried Canon’s Premium Matte Paper that comes packaged with the printer.  I found it to be unsaturated and appeared dull, so I set it aside.  I decided to try a variety of 8 ½ x 11 cut sheet papers, almost all feed using the manual sheet feeder of the 5100.  I bought a sample package of Hahnemuhle Fine Art paper.  I tried a few of these, and also found them to be unsaturated, but substantially better in appearance.  I read with interest the Luminous Landscape article on Baryta papers.  I bought two of them, Hahnamuhle Baryta 325 and Harman Glossy FB Al.  The Baryta 325 has excellent saturation with no gloss differential, but I would hardly call it glossy.  It is really a weird finish in my opinion.  The Harman paper gives nice glossy prints, saturated, and exhibits no gloss differential.  Unfortunately the paper is not flat as is mentioned on Luminous Landscape; it is slightly dish shaped.  The print heads of the 5100 rub against the paper in each print I’ve tried, leaving partial streaks.  Every glossy paper I’ve tried, including Canon’s Premium Bright Photo Gloss Paper and Pictorico’s Hi-Gloss White Film, lose their glossiness in the printed area and show gloss differential.  The same glossy papers in Canon dye printers do not behave this way; they retain excellent glossiness with no gloss differential.

So I’m now going to order a roll of paper, to be my main supply.  Right now I believe it will be Hahnamuhle Baryta 325.  It gives the best combination of results on the 5100.  I assume that no printer manufacturer makes a dye-based, large format printer.  So I have to use pigment inks for large format.  Again your comments would be appreciated.  I also need to download the Luminous Landscape printing course.
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John Hollenberg

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« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2008, 04:41:55 pm »

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The Harman paper gives nice glossy prints, saturated, and exhibits no gloss differential.  Unfortunately the paper is not flat as is mentioned on Luminous Landscape; it is slightly dish shaped.  The print heads of the 5100 rub against the paper in each print I’ve tried, leaving partial streaks.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Did you try increasing the vacuum strength to strong or setting the head height to a higher level (or both)?  This has solved the problem for some users as reported on the Canon iPF Printer Wiki:

[a href=\"http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/message/view/FAQ/1151533]http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/message/view/FAQ/1151533[/url]

--John
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Zeitz

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« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2008, 04:44:35 pm »

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Did you try increasing the vacuum strength to strong or setting the head height to a higher level (or both)?  This has solved the problem for some users as reported on the Canon iPF Printer Wiki:

http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/message/view/FAQ/1151533

--John
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=165275\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thank you very much.  I would have not found this on my own.
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Geoff Wittig

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« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2008, 05:19:53 pm »

I had some of the same difficulty using 13x19" Crane silver rag on an HP Z3100; the paper takes such a pronounced curl that head strikes are tough to avoid, and this printer doesn't have vacuum to hold the paper flat.

My half-assed solution: I de-curl the page before loading it by wrapping and pulling it around a pole in my studio. Two or three passes for each edge and it lays perfectly flat. Sort of like a poor-man's D-roller.
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jerryrock

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« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2008, 07:29:50 pm »

Please try a roll of the Canon Premium Bright Photo Satin (260gsm). It has become my favorite paper, great saturation and detail with a nice non reflective surface.
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Gerald J Skrocki

John Hollenberg

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« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2008, 07:57:08 pm »

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Please try a roll of the Canon Premium Bright Photo Satin (260gsm). It has become my favorite paper, great saturation and detail with a nice non reflective surface.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=165308\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Jerry,

How does this paper compare to something like Epson Premium Luster re: surface, etc.

Thanks.

--John
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Eldor

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« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2008, 08:20:52 pm »

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Jerry,

How does this paper compare to something like Epson Premium Luster re: surface, etc.

Thanks.

--John
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=165312\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi John,

The paper is quite similar but the surface is less textured on the Canon than that Epson paper.  And I too am finding I really like it.  I'm probably going to settle on using that and the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 188.  And maybe a canvas.

Cheers!

Eldor
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haefnerphoto

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« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2008, 08:32:41 pm »

Zeitz,  This topic is of great interest to me.  I too have been printing for years with first the Canon 9900, then it's successor the Pixma Pro 9000.  Both printers have produced alot of great prints for me.  Now I'd like to make larger prints that will offer greater image permanence, as well as, utilize larger ink cartridges.  Also, the monochromic (B/W) capabilities of the dye based systems leaves alot to be desired.  So far, I haven't read that any of the 17" printers on the market would satisfy my desire for no gloss differential, speedy printing and great color saturation.  The 5100 I thought might work but you seem to be on the fence about it's capabilities, is the printer as fast as the 9000?  If HP would make a 17" version of the 3100 that might be the ticket.  Unfortunately, no one in the Detroit area has units I could print with before I buy.  Any input would be very helpful.  Many thanks, Jim Haefner
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jdoyle1713

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« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2008, 12:36:01 am »

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Zeitz,  This topic is of great interest to me.  I too have been printing for years with first the Canon 9900, then it's successor the Pixma Pro 9000.  Both printers have produced alot of great prints for me.  Now I'd like to make larger prints that will offer greater image permanence, as well as, utilize larger ink cartridges.  Also, the monochromic (B/W) capabilities of the dye based systems leaves alot to be desired.  So far, I haven't read that any of the 17" printers on the market would satisfy my desire for no gloss differential, speedy printing and great color saturation.  The 5100 I thought might work but you seem to be on the fence about it's capabilities, is the printer as fast as the 9000?  If HP would make a 17" version of the 3100 that might be the ticket.  Unfortunately, no one in the Detroit area has units I could print with before I buy.  Any input would be very helpful.  Many thanks, Jim Haefner
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Jim

The 5100 is as fast as the 9000..and Yes Jerry I agree the Canon Premium Bright Photo Satin Is a great paper..

Cheers
Jim Doyle
[a href=\"http://www.shadesofpaper.com]http://www.shadesofpaper.com[/url]
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Jim Doyle
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TylerB

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« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2008, 01:26:07 am »

Hey J, how's it look with Epson UCK3s?
Tyler
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jdoyle1713

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« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2008, 01:38:17 am »

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Hey J, how's it look with Epson UCK3s?
Tyler
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Hey TB

Happy New Year Buddy.. I havent Tried it but I will this week OK!!

I get Back On Wednesday!

Cheers
Jim Doyle
[a href=\"http://www.shadesofpaper.com]http://www.shadesofpaper.com[/url]
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Jim Doyle
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Zeitz

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« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2008, 06:54:57 am »

Thanks for all the replies.  I will try the Canon Luster at the next opportunity.  But the Luster sample in the sample book is not as glossy as Harman Glossy FB Al, even without a print on it.  I have not tried any Epson papers on either Canon dye-ink or pigment-ink printers.

The 5100 prints very fast in my opinion, but I have not tried any other large format printers.  I don't think there are any printer dealers that are large enough to have test printers for all three major printing systems.  In fact other than Samy's in Los Angeles, I don't know of any dealers with any of the large format printers set up to run sample prints before buying.  I have not been to New York.

I've decided to buy a roll of Harman Glossy FB Al and manually adjust the print height if necessay.  I don't know if 17 in width roll will make the problem worse or better compared to 8 /12 x 11 cut paper.  I'm betting $ 150 I can get Harman rolls to work.
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