Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mk ii?

[VSS]

I'm looking for an A3+ printer to replace an aging iP5300 and while some say an A3 printer is an extravagance - it's cheaper to send out for A3 prints, I think I'm decided upon the Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mk ii.

You can pick this up at around £350 and Canon are currently doing a £100 cashback, so it compares favourably in monetary terms to the alternatives.

Any views? Is it a worthwhile investment? Are there better alternatives that aren't likely to break the bank?

Just one concern over the printer. It doesn't have a roll feeder. Can you do custom sizes that are longer than standard A3? The printer driver apparently does handle custom sizes but I've read conflicting views and I've not been able to find a definite answer to this question.

Thanks.

[cosmicma]

250 quid can get a lot of professional quality prints done
how many prints do you plan on doing ?

ok not the answer you were looking for but i had this dilema a while ago
over 7 years ago i purchased a canon s9000 pro A3+ printer and at the time it was cheaper to print at home than using a print lab but times have changed and prices have come down a lot
when you take into consideration the cost of the printer the cost of inks and paper it starts mounting up and if you stick to original inks ( as i have ) it works out cheaper to send your prints off and have em printed by a 3rd party and these will be subliminal dye prints not ink jet

i ended up just keeping what iv'e got for the time being

[VSS]

I agree about the cost but it's not just about the money. It's cheaper for almost anyone to cycle to work but they prefer their cars, which cost much, much more before you even get in!

A decent replacement for my iP5300 is about £100 so it's 'only' an extra £150. There is always the need for that instant print, where you just can't/wont wait.

But, the custom sizes might just make the final choice.

[GeoffWessex]

Ah... 'custom sizes'.... then you'll be wanting them in mattes, so you'll be needing a matte cutter, then your own framing kit, then space to do that work in/on.... then, because you're churning out lovely framed photographs you'll want to hang them, so you'll be running out of wall space.... so you'll need a bigger house. Which means a bigger mortgage, insurance etc etc etc. So then you'll think of selling your framed prints 'on the side' to keep up with the mortgage, and of course, you'll need a van to take all the pictures around the country to sell..... need I go on?

[VSS]

that's OK, I'll just 'sell' my wife. Or divorce her, it might be cheaper.

[djSupport]

Canon 9000 vs outside printer company?
well if you print at home YOU get to choose the quality and style of how you want things done rather than let someone else do it for you!

I have the Canon Pixma Pro 9500 MKII I ordered the 9500 but eventually got told there out of stock so it was 3 more days to pay day so I said keep the cash then I'll pay the difference now I have the 9500

[VSS]

Thanks for that. It's not always about 'how cheap' is it?

Pay day fast approaches. I think an order is inevitable.

[cosmicma]

if price isn't important you should be looking at dye sublimation printers something like this

http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...d=0CD0Q8wIwBA#

mitsubishi do a good range too if you care to look them up