stump4545 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share #21 Posted November 14, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) is there a printer to get if I am only interested in printing b&w images or just stick with the epson 3880? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 14, 2012 Posted November 14, 2012 Hi stump4545, Take a look here monochrom prints. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
algrove Posted November 14, 2012 Share #22 Posted November 14, 2012 I use the 3880 for everything. It's really the paper and printing profile that makes the difference for each image and beside it prints out to 17x22. I hear the 3000 is also a good one too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 14, 2012 Share #23 Posted November 14, 2012 The 3880 is equally good at color or b/w, depending of course on the skill of the user. You could substitute 3rd party all grey/black inks, but that would really complicate things. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypus Posted November 14, 2012 Share #24 Posted November 14, 2012 I have an Epson R3000 printer and taught myself to print with it having gone cold turkey from years in a commercial b&w darkroom. It has turned out to be an absolute winner of a little machine for both colour and b&w work plus the learning curve wasn't all that steep. It is so worth the investment for the printer (and the inks) to have ultimate control over your image. I'm speaking from the perspective of an M9 user....still waiting for my MM to turn up Down Under. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 14, 2012 Share #25 Posted November 14, 2012 R3000 is another good printer. Users will have to determine priorities depending on need. Compared to the 3880, for instance, the R 3000 has 25.9 ml ink cartridges (versus 80 ml), handles 13" paper (versus 17"), and has roll paper capability (the 3880 does not). There are other differences that one should explore before deciding. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypus Posted November 14, 2012 Share #26 Posted November 14, 2012 Next year (mainly because of the MM) I would really like to go up to A2 (17") Which would be the best bet 4900 or 3800? I have no idea of the cost diff. as I haven't yet looked into this. Any suggestions? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 14, 2012 Share #27 Posted November 14, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) As I suggested above, you need to read the specs of each printer, in this case the 4900 versus the 3880 (the 3800 is an older product). Epson provides good info on their site. I'll give you one difference...the size and weight differential; the 4900 is a beast that comes delivered on its own wooden pallet. You need space, and a sturdy base. This LuLa review will give you a visual, and provide more info (note that it's an old review, comparing to the prior 3800). It also pays to shop around. Discounts and rebates abound. As I continually say, the manufacturers make money off the inks (think razors and blades). BTW, the 4900 has 200 ml cartridges (versus 80 for the 3880) and handles roll paper. There's lots more...color gamut potential, especially. Depends on your needs. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stump4545 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share #28 Posted November 14, 2012 thanks you Jeff S. I didnt want to get into making my own prints but I am thinking that if I am looking for great prints it makes sense to do it myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjames9142 Posted November 14, 2012 Share #29 Posted November 14, 2012 People seem surprised when I say I print at home, although only up to 24 inches on the Epson 4900, with Gold Fibre Silk, which is great for colour and the MM. I work with a very serious lab in Toronto on larger exhibition prints. He uses DC Raw, which takes the information right back to what is on the sensor without the various proprietary defaults of LR, and we try to approximate and improve on my 22 in proof. At the moment we are working on the first 40 inch MM print, on Epson hot press bright, and it is looking fabulous. I spent a year with the M9, trying to figure out digital for the first time, and regret having waited so long to get an in house printer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stump4545 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share #30 Posted November 14, 2012 are the prints from an epson 3880 w/ Ilford fiber paper and others going to stand out vs. standard prints from pro labs? are these fiber based papers along with printing myself going help give me the tonal range reminiscent of b+w film and make my prints look less "digital"? or are the tonal range going to be a mainly a product of post processing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 14, 2012 Share #31 Posted November 14, 2012 That's partly like asking if you buy an M9 (or other camera), will your photos be better. Anyone who has ever worked in a darkroom knows that having a good eye, using good papers (for the intended look) and using good technique are all critical. Some people use mediocre gear and materials and get great results; others use the 'best' and have little to show for it. If one doesn't have good judgment and technique, and take the time to develop a disciplined workflow (from camera to framed print), the prints could easily be worse than from a lab. But, with time and effort, the reverse may be true. I wouldn't do it any other way. YMMV. Silver prints are not digital prints...period. But both can be gorgeous. Equipment and materials are no longer the limiting factor. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted November 17, 2012 Share #32 Posted November 17, 2012 I also regularly print my M files (M8) on photo rag using the epson 4990...took me probably a year to fine tune my workflow but now it sings.... nothing better then putting in the effort and see your favorite images come to life on great paper...frame them up and be proud. best andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hug Posted November 18, 2012 Share #33 Posted November 18, 2012 I print using a 3880, on Epson Exhibition Fiber paper using Piezography Selenium B&W inks. Gorgeous monochrome prints. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted November 18, 2012 Share #34 Posted November 18, 2012 I print using a 3880, on Epson Exhibition Fiber paper using Piezography Selenium B&W inks. Gorgeous monochrome prints. Where did you get these inks? Assume they are NOT the regular Epson 80ml inks. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 18, 2012 Share #35 Posted November 18, 2012 Where did you get these inks? Assume they are NOT the regular Epson 80ml inks. Thanks. He's referring to inks developed by John Cone, a third party supplier (see InkjetMall). The b/w inks (selenium is but one set) will replace the Epson ink set for shades of black/grey. They also offer color inks for Epson printers. A forum search will bring up much discussion. Epson doesn't like folks to use other inks (the inks are where the money is), so one can expect a somewhat more finicky process to get around things. The selenium inks on gloss papers also requires a second pass with gloss optimizer. In short, it's more work, but the results can be wonderful...again depending on the user. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnuyork Posted November 19, 2012 Share #36 Posted November 19, 2012 Ilford Gold Fiber Silk paper on an Epson (mine is a 4900) printer is outstanding for monochrome images. I couldn't agree more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
atufte Posted November 20, 2012 Share #37 Posted November 20, 2012 Leica MM photo from Chernobyl/Prypiat printed large on a Epson PRO 9800 on Lustre 250 paper, added a CF card to illustrate size... BTW! It looks way better in real life... (it look's fantastic actually) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/191882-monochrom-prints/?do=findComment&comment=2171471'>More sharing options...
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