Generic Inks for printers are they suitable?

[TonyH]

I have an Epson R310 printer. Not too bad a printer for what it is.

What I'd like to know is how many members use generic inks instead of the manufacturers inks in their printers and if there is any loss of quality to the print outs.

The Epson consumable are really quite expensive and if the generics are up to scratch I'd use them. I'm just a little reluctant to put them in without asking opinion first.

[Oneputt]

Tony I use Canon inks which are also expensive, but I have heard that quality in generic brands is poor. That may or may not be true, but I am unwilling to take the chance.

[big pix]

This site may give you more information.........

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=8

[gstark]

Tony,

This is really an ugly situation, and not at all helped by the past attitudes of printer manufacturers.

The earlier Epsons, for instance, had/have expensive ink cartridges, and required a full cartridge replacement even though only one colour might have been out.

Clearly not a user friendly situation, but my experience with the cheaper inks - and refilling options as well - has been less than satisfactory.

By way of contrast, the R1800 uses inexpensive individual ink cartridges, and sourcing non-OEM supplies is actually not even worth considering, because the replacement carts are so reasonably priced.

I suspect that there's a lesson there for the marketing dickheads of this world, but I've yet to meet one with an IQ greater than their shoe size, and thus I fear that any lesson which may be evident will float gently above and beyond their pointy little heads.

[MATT]

Tony, try this link..

http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php? ... light=r310


I will rehost the pics ( give me a 10mins or so)so you can see it installed

MATT

(PICS BACK UP)

[MATT]

I'd also like to add,

I think this generic ink stuff seems to be ok for my r310, I print lots on generic papers also.Mainly the prints go on the fridge or to show someone short term.

But when I want to keep a print I print it at a Lab..

Also the r310 was last week at Joyce Mayne near me only $110 as the new models are out, this is close to the price of a set of carts.

MATT

[TonyH]

Matt,

thanks for the info. I do remember you posting the CISS photos once before. I must admit I was a little put off by the catching as the tubes go under the left hand side of the printer. That would drive me nuts....

Is there a massive colour difference between the generic inks and the epson genuine inks. If so can you tell me where the difference occurs.


Regards

Tony

[MATT]

Yes the tubes haging out the side are a little anoying,, but I just leave the top up know.

You could try the generic inks, generally they are very cheap like $3 for a cart. If you dont like the results , turf them out. I got a set of carts for my i850 also they work fine.

As for colours, I followed the epson set up pdf, the prints turned out pretty good. I dont have a clibrated screen or any thing like that so its a bit hit and miss at times.

I can PM you the guy I got mine froms email if you like?

MATT

[mikephotog]

I use generic inks in my Canon (not a top line model) and have had no problems, colour quality is fine.
I do use top quality (Epson) papers.

Getting good images from any combination of ink and photo quality paper also has a lot to do with experimenting with the colour/density settings in your printer driver.

[Nnnnsic]

There's always the option of getting a CIS and filling it with better-than-Epson (which IMHO wouldn't be all that hard) Pantone inks instead.

[meicw]

I have a Canon i9950. I have used generic inks for a while, but I have gone back to the Canon tanks. I have found that they give me consistent colours and the prints do last longer. I have done a bit of a test. The print I did with the cheaper inks has faded after only 6 months, but there is no sign of fading with the ones printed with the Canon inks.
IMHO. it is worth paying the extra for the brand inks.

Regards
meicw

[avkomp]

I encountered some client's printers damaged in the past by poor quality cartridges. something like thicker than recommended pigment particles blocking the jets.

I know quality has improved over the years and have used clone inks in my printers for ages with no problems.

I suspect though that the colour fastness wont be as good as epsons ultrachrome inks though. To that end I dont use clone stuff in my epson r2100.
I figure that if I wish to print an image in the first place, I wish it to be as good as it can be and to last. so I go with the original manufacturer.

I dont find the cost of individual inks to be prohibitively expensive. BTW, I just got an epson dealer bulletin informing me that the price of epson inks is rising due to exchange rate issues. not much though.
even then it wont be an issue considering we have thousands of dollars worth of camera gear and expensive printers and worry about saving a few cents on a printout.

Steve

[Heath Bennett]

Who here has tried the CIS with the R800 or R1800?

No-one?

[big pix]

you will find some info here.....

http://mis.invisionzone.com/index.php?act=idx

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/index.php

[Heath Bennett]

Has anyone tried the CIS with the R800 or R1800?

[TonyH]

Heath

I still have the Epson R310, I've bought a CISS for it and am as happy as a pig in Sh!t with it.....

I can send you a link to the supplier of my unit if you're interested. He does have a large range of units for the different models of printers in the market.


Tony