Asher,
Just to update this thread, with the current trend towards rebates and "trade in" credits, the net cost of an 8300 is under $2600, too low for even me to ignore.
I am patiently awaiting mine to arrive (not terribly patient, but as much as I can be...) and already have 2 local studios eager to have me print all of their work (and the cost should be fully amortized in about 4 months, max). If a full time student such as myself can afford one, that the typical above average shooter should be able to. Granted, I am essentially setting up a service bureau, but for those that frequently send out prints larger than 8x10, I would think that it wouldn't take long for the printer to pay for itself. Granted I live in the affordable high end range, equipment and expectation wise, but even those on budget that have high expectations should consider one.
From the first samples I received, to printing some of my own files from the Dicomed scanback, the gamut, sharpness and overall quality is absolutely stunning. Granted you still have the GIGO paradigm, but if anybody complains about the output from this printer (or the latest epson or HP), they are either living in a dream world, have idealized and have romanticized the quality of C prints, or are blind.
On every front, from total lack of gloss differential and bronzing to gamut, color accuracy, and longevity, the new breed of inkjet printers finally have me not caring if RA4 disappears totally. Now I need to find an affordable drum scanner next fall, as the weak link in my image chain is digitization.
As an added bonus that is rarely mentioned, Canon actually gives you a set of full ink cartridges, not just starter carts. Empirical data I've collected from users tell me that unless you're printing 8 hrs a day, 7 days a week, the first cartridges should last a reasonable while.
erie