Posted by Richard Hahn on September 26, 2011 at 11:04 PM
I am looking for feedback on the Cannon Pixma Pro 9000 II Printer, which I am considering buying. I have to decide by tomm. since the $ 200.00 rebates ends. ANY comments will be greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on September 26, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Richard, the 9000 series (especially for the price) is outstanding. The prints I get off of this thing never cease to amaze me. For brilliant colorful scenes with detail, the Canon Platinum Pro paper is unmatched when you want a glossy finish. The 13x19 pack (10 sheets) drops to $18 every once in a while on Amazon, cheapest place to buy it. I use Moab Somerset Velvet for non-gloss images that are softer in detail. Wedding portraits and soft scenery on that paper are outrageous. But there are tons of others to pick and choose from, such as Canon's Premium Matte which is non-gloss but holds great detail. There's something special when you get a print up to the 12x18 size, it seems to come alive.
FYI, the big difference between the 9000 and 9500 series (besides $500!) are the inks: the 9000 uses dye-based inks, 9500 uses pigment-based. Both have pros and cons. Pigment ink (9500) is supposed to last 100-200 years where dye-based (9000) is 40-60. Not bad considering real photos go yellow in a decade. Pigment-based inks tend to have a more luscious color on matte papers, but they don't print as good as dye-printers on glossy (note: I used to scoff at glossy papers. Then I printed on the Canon Platinum Pro and it blew my socks into the neighbor's yard, so now I stock both with equally happy clients). The other winner for the 9000's dye ink are blacks in a color image on glossy... nothing is richer. Pigment ink on matte paper gives you more of a charcoal look at times, but still quite nice. Also, the 9000's dye inks are a bit cheaper than pigment inks, kinda sorta.
One thing to note about the 9000: if you print on 13x19, you'll need a good 14"-16" behind the printer because the paper lays flat and travels back into the printer, so you can't have it mashed up against a wall. I bought a 15"x31" shelf piece at Ikea and screwed in four 6" legs to make an elevated stand (I store my paper flat underneath it, very convenient) and keep the printer on it, on my desk, back against the wall. Then when I print, I just slide it forward a foot or so.
Great printer, you won't regret it. Make sure you download the XPS drivers from Canon's site, they give you some sort of a faux 16-bit printing, and I do notice a difference. Enjoy!
Posted by Richard Hahn on September 27, 2011 at 12:12 AM
Paul,
Thanks alot for the info.
Posted by Lynn Jones on October 5, 2011 at 3:50 PM
I've used 'Epsons since 1992 or so but a year and a half ago I bought 13" Canon Pixma because of the price and have found it to be among the best. I still have a 13" Epson and a 17" Epson which are truly excellent but the Canons, especially with Canon GlossyII are terrific.
Discussion
3 repliesTHANK YOU.
FYI, the big difference between the 9000 and 9500 series (besides $500!) are the inks: the 9000 uses dye-based inks, 9500 uses pigment-based. Both have pros and cons. Pigment ink (9500) is supposed to last 100-200 years where dye-based (9000) is 40-60. Not bad considering real photos go yellow in a decade. Pigment-based inks tend to have a more luscious color on matte papers, but they don't print as good as dye-printers on glossy (note: I used to scoff at glossy papers. Then I printed on the Canon Platinum Pro and it blew my socks into the neighbor's yard, so now I stock both with equally happy clients). The other winner for the 9000's dye ink are blacks in a color image on glossy... nothing is richer. Pigment ink on matte paper gives you more of a charcoal look at times, but still quite nice. Also, the 9000's dye inks are a bit cheaper than pigment inks, kinda sorta.
One thing to note about the 9000: if you print on 13x19, you'll need a good 14"-16" behind the printer because the paper lays flat and travels back into the printer, so you can't have it mashed up against a wall. I bought a 15"x31" shelf piece at Ikea and screwed in four 6" legs to make an elevated stand (I store my paper flat underneath it, very convenient) and keep the printer on it, on my desk, back against the wall. Then when I print, I just slide it forward a foot or so.
Great printer, you won't regret it. Make sure you download the XPS drivers from Canon's site, they give you some sort of a faux 16-bit printing, and I do notice a difference. Enjoy!
Thanks alot for the info.
Lynn