Photo printers have become a bit of a niche market, with all of the great online solutions out there. However, if you're like me, you love doing it at home and playing with various papers and that sort of thing.
Canon was scheduled to release a replacement for the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 in late 2020, but it has obviously been delayed due to the pandemic. I have been told that there is a specific part inside a photo printer that is nearly impossible to source at this time, and there's no timeline on when that issue will be resolved.
The imagePROGRAF Pro-1000 has been around for 6 years, so it's definitely ready for a refresh. If you can hold out for another 6 months or so, I would wait on buying one.
The replacement for the imagePROGRAF will add two new cartridges, along with a new chroma optimizer tank. The printer will also have the ability to use rolls of paper, which has been a much asked for feature.
I have also been told that there will be another imagePROGRAF printer to slot between the imagePROGRAF Pro-300 and the imagePROGRAF Pro-1000 replacement. I don't have any more information on what that printer will be.
More to come…
I'm about to push buy button on epson ecotank et-8550
On Canon's Pro Luster paper, prints using the Pro 100 are spectacular...'feel great'...and in our family room last for years.
Most importantly for, I think, most of those who read this forum...printing at home is fun!
Printing one's own images is, I think, an underrated part of modern photography.
The 5100 never went through the expected 5300 / 5400 / PRO-x000 / PRO-x100 sequence - I always liked it as a printer.
The PRO-1000 came in using the head technology of the PRO-x000 series and surprised many with it's lack of roll paper support
Canon in the iPF5100 had a 17" printer that was (with its roll support and big paper cassette) a match for the bigger Epson 17" SP4000 -> P5000 series
My feeling is that the Epson P5000 (and whatever succeeds it - also 'pending') needs something from Canon to go up against it.
Moving the PRO-1000 successor 'upmarket' definitely leaves a space for a 17" competitor to the Epson P900
That's all at 17"
For smaller printers - I'm curious to see just how far Canon and Epson go with the ink tank idea.
I've currently still got quite a few printers here from my reviews over the last year, and have just finished a look at Canon's G550 (OK, only A4 - much smaller than I normally test). Nothing bigger yet from Canon. The 13" tank based Epson ET-8550 is a very interesting development with its hybrid ink system.
No, I don't expect to see higher end 'tank' printers soon...
BTW If it's of interest, reviews (and now videos as well) of almost all the printers mentioned above are at:
Printing and paper reviews and articles - Northlight Images
The G550 one will be added this weekend.
Your 'regular business' in England, Keith...is COVID etc. still leaving its impression on your work?
The photo business is picking up again but still not at a level I'm happy with :-( I always enjoy the bespoke photography training I do with businesses round the country, but that's really been hit, since it's 1-to-1 stuff on location.
A big thanks actually to both Epson and Canon UK for keeping me busy with printers to look at during the quiet time - that and someone at Canon for finally persuading me to do YT videos ;-)
I also have the pro 1000. I bought it about 7 months ago at a nice discount. I wish I could tell you I’ve enjoyed using it but it is still in the box waiting for my basement studio to be complete. Getting my basement finished in a timely manner is a topic in itself. Regardless I’m glad to see that some have enjoyed their experience with the pro 1000.
It used to be that roll paper was significantly cheaper than cut sheet but for many papers now that simply isn't the case.
And once you are using almost exclusively roll paper you need other tools to finish the job, cutting tables and mats etc. I'd highly recommend a Rotatrim as long as you can afford too.
Almost a year since the last update...
I guess there is a new one coming soon. The same print-resolution as the pro-300 would be nice. But especially a better printhead-maintenance-management.