[scollins]

I've wanted a nicer photo printer for awhile (my other one is a cheapy Epson R280), and I noticed a bunch of Canon PIXMA Pro9000MkII's were popping up on Craigslist recently. This is because Canon is running a rebate for $400 back when someone buys a higher end body plus the Pro9000MkII. Works out that someone ends up paying about $60 for the printer after rebates.

So guys order the combo, then turn around and sell the printer, netting out $150 to $200 on the plus side. I got mine, new in unopened box for $210. It was a deal I couldn't pass up! Naturally, I had to buy some paper, and as luck would have it, Glazer's was running a "Nikon Days" Sale, and one of the other featured suppliers was Moab Paper at 10% off. Bought a sample pack of 8.5x10 plus a small box of 4x6 Lasal Photo Luster 270 to try out.

Initial impressions (haven't printed anything yet, just got it setup tonight):
This thing is HUGE!
This thing is HEAVY!
Setup and installation were a snap (other than having to prep 8 ink cartridges.)

So now I get to play around with making prints. I need to download the ICC profiles from Moab's website once I decide what prints I want to test out. The wife is excited about trying the canvas and making a "museum wrap."

Costco will still get the bulk of the "snapshot prints", but I like the idea of playing around and making my own.

Anybody else doing their own printing, or just mostly doing web-based galleries or having a 3rd party do the printing?

[JayKay335i]

I used to do my own printing. But all those ink cartridges add up and in the end I decided it wasn't worth it.

[M_Six]

I usually only have to print stuff out for my Mom. I use Shutterfly or Kodak.

[bosstones]

I sometimes print my own stuff. Other times, I just go to CostCo.

[kamek]

This is a GREAT printer! I've printed up to 13x19 sized prints on this thing, though I don't have much printing experience. Hope you enjoy it!

[radiantm3]

I have the original pixma pro 9000 and love it. Make sure you get the expensive Canon art papers. You can get a sample pack to test them all out. They truly transform your photos. I only use my printer for special occasion large format prints.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I have the original pixma pro 9000 and love it. Make sure you get the expensive Canon art papers. You can get a sample pack to test them all out. They truly transform your photos. I only use my printer for special occasion large format prints.

So far I'm really impressed with the Moab papers (got some test prints done at Glazer's). Moab has all the ICC profiles listed on their website too. But I'll try some of the better Canon papers as well, since they are cheaper than Moab and Ilford. I'm guessing that Canon doesn't actually make the paper, but someone like Legion, Ilford, Hahnemuhle, etc. makes it for them to their specs.