Thanks CardiffGarreth, the canon pro 1000 is an an amazing printer with its 12 inks including the chroma optimiser to achieve uniform glossiness with enhanced black density.

The epson SC P900 is, the direct competition to the canon pro 1000 for the pigment based fine art material that they can produce in A2 size format, all be it on the skill of the operator.
Ink costs on both are up for debate, hence my, on mature reflection choice of the ET8550 it will be more than than up to the job for an enthusiast by a long shot and will print outstanding results especially in colour and is pretty close in B@W
Do not worry, about the fact that the et8550 only has six inks, it will do an amazing job for minimal cost, despite the initial purchase price.
Happy Days lay ahead

Absolutely and totally agree with you RobL , that it is, the completion of the journey and to be able to have that control will so rewarding even if ones photos end up in folders, one has immediate access to view their prints and that tactile experience cannot be equaled on a monitor.
Thanks for the tip on the dust or fibres that some paper choices will deposit but I'm trying to prepare the box room for my tiny studio currently and will not be up and running until Christmas holidays even though i have the printer and test packs.
Not to worry RobL, I'm aware of pigment based printers being of archival and fine art quality for selling purposes, a journey i won't be taking.
The prints from this thing et8550 if kept out of direct sunlight will last 30 plus years apparently

Thanks Rodcy and the ink cost is the reason i chose the epson ET8550, it is a modern inkjet printer (out about a year or so) and the 70ml OEM bottles of dye ink to fill the cartridges are less than 20 quids a pop even if initial purchase of the printer is expensive. they seemed to have over engineered it in that the quality it produces is top notch by all accounts and not have to worry about ink usage as they last a huge amount of time compared to chip based 14ml cartridge printers at exorbitant prices.
Yes I will run nozzle checks regularly if not in use

" Time has come " Ricoh" Pentax

The gentle clasp that holds my hand
Must loosen and let go
Please help me through the door
Though instinct tells you no

Thank you so much Pentaxian for the detailed information in your reply, a lot more learning required on my behalf but thats part of the fun and yes money is always an object

Thanks PRY, in that any useful tips are appreciated.

Thanks PRYorkshire, i am aware of icc profiles and paper choice to match but i do not have a designated calibrated screen but hopefully i can get around this hurdle as i learn with the test sheets that i will load like a contact sheet of images except bigger and get to grips with it
My Pentax HDFA 21mm purchase is now going to have to wait until my birthday next june
Regards Flan

Was just wondering, do any members print photographs from a cannon or epson printer from home as printing is rarely discussed on here.
Having researched the heck out of it myself for the last 3 or 4 months, i have finally pressed the button on a Epson ET 8550 inkjet printer for learning and economy, along with four various test packs papers from Fotospeed and Hahnemuhle in A4 size.
I have watched the work of Kieth Cooper North Light studios, Jose Roddrigues and Fotospeeds own rep Tim Jones on youtube and they discuss everything about the modern printers etc.
Any thoughts on the subject are welcome as some pros on here probably have an Epson SC P6000 or a Cannon Pro 1000 at their disposal.

Interesting and have never tried or played with the negative option.
Theres a lot to like about Rawtherapee as a rawfile convertor, it is very powerful at super fine detail.
If only i had the skills to exploit it to its full potential but still love it

Panasonic LX range, secondhand Spad
I know its not a Pentax but still, it begins with the letter P
Very expensive new but bargains to be had used
Do the research yourself