Familiar with the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6100?

[waple]

I had a couple Canon reps in my studio today and I'm considering getting this.

I just read a review that said the starter inks weren't full. These guys were going on about how they are 130ml tanks, but how full are the starter tanks? I'd be really disappointed if I spent $2300 on a printer only to have to spend another $800 on ink after only 20 prints.

Also, how do I figure out how many medium coverage 24x36 prints I can make before running out? Or does anyone have an experience with this so I know what I'm getting into?

Thanks

[Viper97]

I just read a review that said the starter inks weren't full. These guys were going on about how they are 130ml tanks, but how full are the starter tanks? I'd be really disappointed if I spent $2300 on a printer only to have to spend another $800 on ink after only 20 prints.

When my 6100 arrived the ink tanks were about 80% full. They lasted approx. one year and I've run about 4 rolls of paper (averaging 50' rolls) through the printer before I needed to start replacing them. With my style of work, I seem to find that yellow, mbk and red went out first. I generally order two ink carts a month just to stay ahead of the usage, it seems less painful that way.


Also, how do I figure out how many medium coverage 24x36 prints I can make before running out? Or does anyone have an experience with this so I know what I'm getting into.

Just as a rough guess, I'd say my experience says about 60 prints of that size before you need to buy cartridges. Different papers require different amounts of ink so this should be taken as a rough guesstimate and not as gospel.

One thing I've noticed on my 6100 is that sometimes the magenta cart reads lower ink levels than are actually present. I simply pull the ink cart out and reset it and it continues printing. I've never really worried about coverage of inks and costs since I'm still in the experimental stages with my prints and papers. (I find I generally print on three paper types the same photo and select the paper finish that looks best before I even worry about costs. Eh, I'm backwards that way.)

canonipf home

In the link above there are some spreadsheets that one kind person (or others) have added that cover ink and paper usage. Great resource for any Canon big rig owner.

[Viper97]

Hmmm.... now maybe the Camel will stop telling me I should post something since I haven't posted in quite a while.

[Viper97]

canonipf Ink Usage

Ah! Found the actual page on the wiki that describes ink usage. I'm sure you are going to love the printer!

[waple]

Thanks much for that info! I was worried that the initial ink would give me like 10 prints before I had to spend a ton of money in new carts. I'm glad to hear that you were able to get as many prints as you did.

Have you tried canvas prints? How do they compare to other print services?

[Viper97]

If you mean using the Canon Matte Canvas or the Fine Art Canvas, then yes, I am familiar with them. Currently I'm having a mad passionate affair with the Matte Canvas for some of my work. I find that once sprayed with Premiere Art Shield, that stretching the canvas onto a frame is relatively easy. I picked up a pair of canvas pliers at Michael's for about $30 which is about twice as much as I would have paid from Dick Blicks but I needed it right away.

The blacks are solid as are the lighter areas, the canvas itself has a nice texture to it. Remember this is personal opinion but to me the texture is not overwhelming but subtle enough to suggest a painting without being overwhelming.

I'm not one for the gallery wrap look although I sell them, I prefer the traditional painting look for some of my works. The pictures take on more of a painterly feel to me when the border is white, wrapped and stapled on the edges of the canvas stretcher frames.

[Viper97]

I forgot to mention that I let the print dry for a few days before spraying and then allow it to dry another day. I have yet to see any ink smearing that occurred with my Epson R1800 and inks that I once had when I switched over to the 6100 and Canon inks.

[waple]

Originally Posted by Viper97

I forgot to mention that I let the print dry for a few days before spraying and then allow it to dry another day. I have yet to see any ink smearing that occurred with my Epson R1800 and inks that I once had when I switched over to the 6100 and Canon inks.

Glad you mentioned that. I wouldn't have thought to let it dry for that long.

I used to be a gallery wrap fan but after putting a few of my pieces in nice frames, wow what a difference. I get comments on the pieces in the frames much more than those not in.

[Viper97]

I agree. Framed works seem to draw more of the ooohhhh and aahhhh's than does the standard gallery wrap on the wall. Hence why I tend to show my works in the frames that suit them and not just standard white matted black framed works. Unless of course I have to because it is a gallery showing.