Last week we went to the launch of the new Canon printer range. We were very impressed with the new range, there are some very fast printers in there. Canon has also introduced in this range the FINE range of inks – FINE stands for Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering – no, we don’t know what it really means but it makes the printers print extremely fast (even photos!) and the prints are crystal clear. Canon is also committed to the ChromaLife100 System which, if you use genuine Canon paper and inks, means prints will last 10 years with no protection (i.e. in the open air in direct light), 30 years behind glass, and 100 years in an archival photo album. Quite a breakthrough. The new range includes:
iP1600 (replaces iP1500) – 2 picolitre droplet size, 19ppm black and 16ppm colour, 4800 x 1200 dpi
iP2200 (replaces iP2000) – 2 picolitre droplet size, 22ppm black and 16ppm colour, 4800 x 1200 dpi
iP4200 (replaces iP4000) – 1 picolitre droplet size, 22ppm black and 16ppm colour, 4800 x 1200 dpi
iP5200 (new model) – 1 picolitre droplet size, 30ppm black and 24ppm colour, CD & DVD printing, inbuilt duplex, FINE ink system, 9600 x 2400 dpi
iP5200r (replaces iP4000r) – 1 picolitre droplet size, 30ppm black and 24ppm colour, CD & DVD printing, inbuilt duplex, inbuilt wireless networking, FINE ink system, 9600 x 2400 dpi
iP6210d (replaces iP6000d) – 2 picolitre droplet size, 10ppm black and 24ppm colour, FINE ink system, optional Bluetooth, 4800 x 1200 dpi
iP6220d (new model) – 2 picolitre droplet size, 10ppm black and 24ppm colour, FINE ink system, optional Bluetooth, infrared, 4800 x 1200 dpi
iP6600 (new model) – 1 picolitre droplet size, 18ppm black and 17ppm colour, CD & DVD printing, inbuilt duplex, optional bluetooth, FINE ink system, 9600 x 2400 dpi
do they make compatible ink for these new ones yet?
As of the 14th of January 2006, there is no word of anyone making compatible Canon PGI-5BK, CLI-8BK, CLI-8C, CLI-8M or CLI-8Y cartridges. Possibly there may be some refill ink available. Because the ink in these cartridges is quite complex (they are designed specifically for these printers) and are designed to last 100 years plus, it is quite difficult to copy.
The first lot of compatibles may be of inferior quality so it is a good idea to steer clear of these. When companies such as Jettec bring out their compatibles it will be time to buy.
As for the cartridges with a printhead, such as the CL-41, CL-51, CL-52, PG-40 and PG-50 cartridges, there will never be compatibles available as the printhead is patented. There will be refill ink available, however once again be very aware of the quality.
It can’t be stressed though that for the best results pay a little extra and use genuine Canon cartridges.