A fresh look at the Canon Pro-200 as requested by viewers - Fotospeed | Fine Art & Photography

Summary

In this review, Tim Jones provides an in-depth look at the Canon Pro 200 printer, which offers a balance between affordability and print quality. Using dye inks, the Pro 200 produces vibrant color prints with impressive detail, making it a great choice for artists. While it doesn’t have the archival durability of pigment inks, Canon’s ChromaLife 100+ inks provide a decent lifespan. The Pro 200 is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to the Pro 300, delivering excellent color vibrancy and solid black-and-white performance, but with fewer inks. Overall, it's a great option for those seeking high-quality prints on a budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Canon Pro 200 is a dye-based printer positioned between the IP8750 and Pro 300 in Canon's product lineup.
• 😀 The Pro 200 uses 8 dye inks, offering vibrant colors but lacking the archival longevity of pigment-based inks.
• 😀 Dye inks, while less permanent than pigment inks, have improved significantly and can now last over 100 years with Canon's Chromalife 100+ technology.
• 😀 Compared to the Pro 300, the Pro 200 offers similar color performance but lacks a dedicated matte black or photo black ink.
• 😀 The Pro 200 is more affordable than the Pro 300, with similar running costs, making it a great option for artists and hobbyists on a budget.
• 😀 Black-and-white prints from the Pro 200 are impressive, with two gray inks enhancing tonal depth and sharpness.
• 😀 The Pro 200 is capable of printing sharp, detailed color prints, especially on glossy and semi-gloss papers, thanks to its vibrant dye inks.
• 😀 Despite its lack of a matte black ink, the Pro 200 performs well in black-and-white prints, with less risk of color cast compared to previous dye printers.
• 😀 The Pro 200 has a strong color gamut, producing vibrant, punchy prints with better results on glossy papers.
• 😀 While the Pro 200’s prints are impressive, the Pro 300 offers slightly more detail, especially in darker areas, due to its 10 pigment-based inks.
• 😀 Overall, the Pro 200 delivers excellent print quality for its price and is a strong choice for those looking for a professional printer without the higher costs of premium models.

Q & A

What is the Canon Pro 200, and where does it fit in the Canon printer lineup?

The Canon Pro 200 is a dye ink printer positioned between the Canon ip8750 and Pro 300. It offers a more affordable alternative to the Pro 300, with a slightly lower price point and fewer ink cartridges, but still delivers high-quality prints.

How does the Canon Pro 200 compare to the Pro 300 in terms of ink technology?

The Pro 200 uses 8 dye inks, while the Pro 300 uses 10 pigment inks. Dye inks produce more vibrant colors but are less archival compared to pigment inks, which provide better longevity and more detailed color reproduction.

What is the difference between dye ink and pigment ink in printers?

Dye ink sits on top of the paper and offers vibrant, punchy colors, while pigment ink absorbs into the paper and provides longer-lasting prints, with better archival quality. Dye ink is generally considered less durable than pigment ink.

What kind of prints does the Pro 200 produce for color and black and white?

The Pro 200 produces vibrant, punchy color prints thanks to its dye inks, and its black-and-white prints are comparable to higher-end models like the Pro 300. The Pro 200 performs well on both matte and glossy papers, with excellent sharpness and detail.

How does the cost of ink for the Pro 200 compare to other Canon printers?

The Pro 200's ink is relatively inexpensive, with running costs lower than the Pro 300. The price difference between their inks is minimal, with the Pro 200 costing about 120p per milliliter of ink, while the Pro 300 costs about 135p per milliliter.

Why do some people avoid dye ink printers like the Pro 200?

Many people avoid dye ink printers due to concerns over their longevity. In the past, dye ink prints would fade quickly, but modern dye inks like those in the Pro 200 (ChromaLife 100+) are now rated to last over 100 years under normal conditions.

What is the downside of using the Pro 200?

The main downside of the Pro 200 is its use of dye inks, which means prints cannot officially be considered fine art due to their shorter lifespan compared to pigment inks. Additionally, dye ink prints may not last as long as those produced by pigment ink printers.

Can the Pro 200 handle both color and black-and-white prints well?

Yes, the Pro 200 performs excellently for both color and black-and-white prints. Its dye inks make color prints vibrant, and its two gray inks help it produce excellent black-and-white prints, rivaling higher-end printers like the Pro 300.

What makes the Pro 200 a good choice for artists and photographers?

The Pro 200 is an affordable option for artists and photographers who want vibrant prints without the higher cost of pigment ink printers. It offers great color reproduction, impressive sharpness, and beautiful black-and-white prints at a more budget-friendly price.

How does the Pro 200 compare to the Pro 300 in terms of print quality?

While both printers produce high-quality prints, the Pro 200's color prints are a bit punchier and brighter, especially on glossy papers, due to its dye inks. The Pro 300 has more detailed shadows and highlights due to its additional ink cartridges, but the Pro 200 offers excellent value for money with comparable quality.