Canon Pixma MG5150 color print quality decline

[Łukasz]

Martin is right, x20/x21 ink type printers have third bar for C and M inks. And they have only one "blue block" lower?

x25/x26 ink type printers have only two bars in extended nozzle check, but they have second "blue block", i guess for testing small droplets only.

And here are four test prints:
iP3600 MG5100
iP4800 MG6200

Peter is also right with yellow/green bar.

Third bar may be sometimes very hard to spot (not picked up in scanned image), but in MG5100 (MG5150) test print there is no room for third bar...

Ł.

 

[stratman]

Except for price of OEM Magenta ink tank - yes.

Except we are trying to diagnose the problem, not avoid cost at the price of success. Since the OP is refilling OEM Canon cartridges with aftermarket ink unknown to the forum, I was going to recommend trying a new OEM Canon Magenta, or a known working Magenta other than what the OP is already using, but you all seemed to be getting along fine. However, sometimes the direct approach is appropriate even if it entails cost.

 

[stratman]

And here are four test prints:
iP3600 MG5100
iP4800 MG6200

Excellent info for comparison. Interesting how the colors vary between the prints. What manufacturer of inksets are used?

 

[martin0reg]

And here are four test prints:
iP3600 MG5100
iP4800 MG6200
...
Third bar may be sometimes very hard to spot (not picked up in scanned image), but in MG5100 (MG5150) test print there is no room for third bar...
Ł.

Thank you for posting, very helpful for users of these (and other) canon printers!

 

[Łukasz]

Some notes on scanned images:
- Full plate/A4, 150 dpi
- all auto options/correction set to "off"/"disabled"
- "Image Adjustment" set to "None"
- Descreen option set to "on" in order to avoid rainbow-like Moire artifacts on grids/screens
- CIS scanner from MG6250, stack of paper used instead of crappy pressure sheet

SMode Test Print from iP3600
- from 2-nd hand, seller claimed clogged printhead
- unknown compatible inks
- clearly visible too high viscosity (see "blue block" artifacts, no second "blue block" at all)

SMode Test Print from MG5100 (MG5150)
- my first detachable carts Pixma
- compatible inks branded "PrintLab" (very popular in Poland)
- print was done shortly after replacing setup OEM's carts (never refilled, nor even completely exhausted)

SMode Test Print from iP4800 (iP4850)
- from 2-nd hand, seller claimed clogged printhead, after flushing
- unknown compatible inks
- distortion on dye BK
- some clogged nozzles on 1/2pl Cyan

SMode Test Print from MG6200 (MG6250)
- from 2-nd hand, seller claimed clogged printhead, after flushing
- printed on thicker media, cardboard like drawing paper(?)
- unknown compatible inks
- distortion on dye BK, Yellow

Ł.

 

[PeterBJ]

I just made a test with a Canon iP4000 to verify that a too weak magenta would cause a green cast to the rectangles and lettering in the nozzle check printout. I first made a nozzle check with the normal inks, and then a nozzle check with the regular magenta replaced by photo magenta. Here is the normal ink, the small rectangles and the lettering are nearly neutral grey:

Here the regular magenta is replaced with photo magenta, the rectangles and lettering are now green and the light magenta barely visible in the scan:

 

[The Hat]

So it looks like the OP is using light magenta or very poor quality strength magenta, good one @PeterBJ..

 

[martin0reg]

I just made a test with a Canon iP4000 to verify that a too weak magenta would cause a green cast to the rectangles and lettering in the nozzle check printout...

Clever test indeed, thank you Peter!
BTW color cast in the bars and letters on the left I had (and still have) frequently with my canon's ... but each time it was caused by clogged or burnt fine nozzles (for the light colors) or by ink starvation ... I don't have any photo/light ink for canon to confuse...

 

[Aleksandar84]

This post of yours was super useful!!! So I came across a epson refill ink bottle magemta, model T6643...can I use this ink for my canon or it will damage the nozzles due to different formulatiom, viscosity etc etc? Its genuone epson ink and is three times the price of the inks I use now.

I just made a test with a Canon iP4000 to verify that a too weak magenta would cause a green cast to the rectangles and lettering in the nozzle check printout. I first made a nozzle check with the normal inks, and then a nozzle check with the regular magenta replaced by photo magenta. Here is the normal ink, the small rectangles and the lettering are nearly neutral grey:

View attachment 2150

Here the regular magenta is replaced with photo magenta, the rectangles and lettering are now green and the light magenta barely visible in the scan:

View attachment 2151

 

[Łukasz]

This post of yours was super useful!!! So I came across a epson refill ink bottle magemta, model T6643...can I use this ink for my canon or it will damage the nozzles due to different formulatiom, viscosity etc etc? Its genuone epson ink and is three times the price of the inks I use now.

In a very short way:
Piezo ink can't be used in Canon/HP/Lexmark/Dell and other thermal inkjet printers.

Ł.