laser or inkjet

snarloas1982 · 20 Dec 2008 at 21:41

guys quick question, my friend does lots of photograps and i we were wondering would it be better for him to use a injet or laser for quality. hes just a casual user but likes quality. no expensive options please. pro and cons are welcome also. thanks in advance guys... currently using a r300

Craig321 · 20 Dec 2008 at 21:42

I'd say Inkjet, they're a lot cheaper than laser printers, especially when looking at the higher ranged models.

EsaT · 20 Dec 2008 at 22:50

Inkjet can definitely achieve better quality photos...
But only on more expensive special papers while laser can do its best to about any normal paper when inkjet does blurry work to them.
Also when printing more than occasional photos ink costs can mount up very fast so while inkjets themselves are cheap use of them is not. (one photohobbyer neighbour has that problem with Canon Pixma)
So I would keep better choise dependable from both done number of prints and required quality.

Finding comparing tests is just very hard and I don't think it would be easy to get test prints done in some shop.
Some years ago at least one printer maker offered chance to upload photograph and then getting samples from couple printers but can't find such from any maker now.

One neighbour bought couple years ago Epson's cheapest colour laser which does really convincing photos to normal paper so because of that and aforementioned problems of inkjets I'm myself now looking affordable colour laser for hobby use.

Duke · 21 Dec 2008 at 10:53

A good inkjet with photo paper can give amazing results. Expensive to run though, as mentioned above.

Whats wrong with the R300 you friend has now? I remember it being pretty good. They tweaked the model a bit since release but don't think they changed much apart from the design.

Luxor · 21 Dec 2008 at 11:01

Inkjets have come a long way and I'm still using an Epson Stylus Photo 915 to print off some superb quality wedding photographs in A4.

It's all about having good quality paper and the right settings for the printer.

Unless you're really keen I'd go with an inkjet anyday.

PistolPete · 21 Dec 2008 at 12:25

I've yet to see a consumer colour laser that can match the quality of a half decent inkjet.

snarloas1982 · 21 Dec 2008 at 12:35

cheers lads, i will just tell him to stick with the r300 and his ciss, thanks

EffBee · 21 Dec 2008 at 12:50

As has been said - it is the cost of usage you have to consider with printers - not the initial purchase cost. Cost of usage involves a consideration of the volume of printing you are doing, quality required, cost of media like paper, and cost of inks and cartridges.

For sufficiently low volumes it might be worth going to a company offering printing services.

Darg · 21 Dec 2008 at 13:03

Nothing can beat a good laser jet printer but you're looking at over a grand for a professional quality one.

Anything under that and I'd probably just go with a decent inkjet or stick with the one he's got.

And as Effbee said, there are lots of places around that do professional quality prints without charging a fortune.