which (Epson?) printer?

[tom0511]

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Hallo again,

after checking out various things I decided to add a smaller printer to my 7600. My 7600 does not deliever the look I am after if I print on semigloss paper, and for smaller prints I do like glossy and semigloss.

 

Now I wonder, which one to get:

2400: smallest,cheapest, but I wonder if one gets as many profiles as for the professional ones

3800: the ink seems to be more expensive than that for the 4800, but I guess less expensive than that for the 2400. It has, photoblack and matte black cartridges, so I could change back and forth as often as I want (But than again I will keep the 7600 and could use the 7600 as matte only printer and the smaller printer as semigloss/glossy printer.

Question 1: I understand that the K3 ink gives only advantage for glossy/semigloss prints?

4800. Only one black ink, but posibility to run roll paper, and ink seems a little cheaper (However I dont run large volumes of prints, so ink cost is not the deciding factor)

 

Question 2: Which one of the above would you get

Question 3: Do you think Epson will announce any thing soon which would be one step further in ink technology?

Question 3: Or would you go for a Canon or HP instead?

 

Thanks for any experience/feedback,

cheers, Tom

[reven]

Hi,

1. Not really, if I compare my R2400 prints to some old 4000 prints on matt papers the R2400 is much nicer.

 

2. Depends what you need. R2400 small ( in my eyes to small )

3800 nice but because no roll feeder no real option. (for me)

4800 never sorry, but in my eyes old piece of technologie. WOULD NEVER buy one know.

I would prefer Canons 5000 option.

 

Now I I wanted to go bigger so I chosse HP z3100. I love it. I think it's a real step forward especially on glossy prints. ( But even matt papers are really nice)

 

3. Epson must enounce something. Because if HP new inks ( last around 200 years ) They need something. The big question as always is only when. Pherhaps PMA but pherhaps around Oktober or so.

 

4.Right now I would really go with Canon or HP. ( I took HP)

I also rhink that with the newest printer we have reached a very high standart and I don't think with the new Epson will change much. Yes they will also be good, but if I take a look at one of my 24*36in print hanging here printed with the new z3100, I say WOW that's nice. And what do I need more ?

 

Christopher

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[cbretteville]

I discussed the 2400 vs. 3800 with a pro dealer a few weeks ago. One of his arguments for recommending the 3800 is that it ships will fully filled big ink cartiges (80ml). The value of that compared to what a similar ammount of ink will run me for a 2400 makes the 3800 very attractive. This is provided you have the funds.

 

I also beleive that you don't need to change the photo and matte blacks around saving you a lot of ink.

 

Edit: Turns out the above statement is not true - even if both blacks are fitted in the printer at the same time.....

 

- C

[leicaM8freak]

Hi, I own and work the 3800 since last November.

Major reason for choosing this one was price, max size for printing

(A2) and the actual size of the printer, which is very compact.

It comes with 9 cartridges which even after a lot of use still need to find their end, there is no need to manualy change the matte black and phot black, because the printer does this automaticaly when paper is chosen.

The K3 inks deliver very good prints.

All the talk about 150 or 200 years of light and color fastness goes above my head...

Just hold on to the original file and when time comes for a need to re-print one can always do.

 

Hope this helpes

[tom0511]

Thank you for the feedback.

Will the 3800 print as well on glossy as a R1800-serious?

The Canon5000 seems also like an interesting option (even though its big).

The Canon 5000 would probably allow me to sell the 7600 and go with one printer only weather the other option to add an A3 or A2 printer for glossy/semigloss/smaller things and keep the 7600 for the bigger things.

Decisions, decisions.

[leicaM8freak]

It does...print semigloss and gloss as good as the bigger brothers..I used to have my printing doen out house on a Pro 7800...the prints from the Pro 3800 are in my believe just as good.

I have not often need for the real big work..so I will keep on doing the occasional large print out house...save me space and money.

For my normal work (up to A3) the 3800 just gives me the results I am looking for.

[xrogers]

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Thank you for the feedback.

Will the 3800 print as well on glossy as a R1800-serious?

I prefer the 3800's color to the R1800, but the R1800 has the gloss optimizer cartridge, which completely eliminates gloss differential. This is noticable in 3800 prints where exceedingly little or no ink is laid down (and is seen as a slight gloss difference when viewing at an angle in the center of bright lights, for instance). They both produce excellent results, in my opinion. The R1800 with a custom profile may produce the best gloss prints for the price, but I haven't tested that so can't say for sure.

 

Factory linearization, availability of high quality generic profiles, speed, ink cost, and size all favor the 3800 (I also prefer the color and detail, but that may be only a perrsonal preference). Initial cost and gloss differential favors the R1800.

 

Purely personal opinion---I think the 3800 hits the nail on the head for many serious amatuer printers, and is quite attractive to professionals as well.

 

Until later,

 

Clyde Rogers

[londonuk]

Maybe take a look at the HP.......... see this review - /www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/HP%20B9180/page-1.htm. The reviewer is a friend of mine any was very impressed. HP are really eating into the Epson market now and with good reason.