There's a famous line attributed to a Rolls Royce Salesman:
"If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it".
I agree with Rob. I always use original cartridges in my Epson Stylus Photo 950 and try to be very sparing with prints but wouldn't claim that I don't make the odd horlicks. That's a fine printer you've got there but if you don't use the proper inks, the prints won't make it past the three year point.
On a different tack, I was very gratified to hear the good Lord Lichfield say on BBC's Breakfast TV this morning that he is a "huge supporter of Digital Photography" and hasn't used ordinary film for four years. I wasn't sure that I was doing the right thing in pursuing Digital; but then again I bet I couldn't afford the kind of kit he's got.
I'll hang on to the Canon A1 for a bit as well as eyeing longingly the tempting Digital Camera market as
the cost per megapixel continues to plummet!