What's my next big printer?

[Riccis]

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phatte back it is then :-)

 

It works very well and although I am not a glossy guy, I have it just in case...

 

Regards,

 

Riccis

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[Printmaker]

For what it is worth, I've been using big Epson Printers for 10 years (3000, 9000, 9600, 9800). Before that, I had Encads and an Iris. My Epson 9800s run 8-12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Never a service call and never a problem. Well, I did change the heads in the 9000 when it turned 4. These days, I replace them every 2 or 3 years.

 

With this kind of track record, I'd be afraid to try a Canon or HP. Like someone else said, the trick is to run them. It keeps the heads clean and the lines wet.

 

If I was to run one at home, it would be an Epson 3800 or a 7880.

 

Tom

[charlesphoto99]

It works very well and although I am not a glossy guy, I have it just in case...

 

Regards,

 

Riccis

 

I found that phatte black introduced a fair amount of bronzing particuarly with Crane Silver rag and Hahn Fine Art Pearl. I switched back to just Photo Black on my 4800 and problem solved. Nice idea but doesn't really work that well unfortunately. Epson introduced the light light black on the 800 series to solve bronzing issues and Imageprint somehow think they can do away with it. Uh uh. For everyday printing it's fine but for fine art looks terrible.

 

The 880 series introduces a new light magneta ink and I believe has a less wasteful system of switching black and matte inks. If I was to buy a new p[rinter right now I would def. go for an 880. They're also releasing a new prosumer model the 1900.

[wlaidlaw]

I was talking to a local print shop yesterday and they were very scathing about the HP DJ90 for photo use, saying it is really just a large format business printer for posters etc, not a fine art photoprinter, although they did say that their ones had been 100% bullet proof reliable. They thought that HP were about to revamp their range and split that model size (A2) into two new models - a business printer and a photo one, which would be a viable competitor for the Epson 4880 and the Canon Prograf 5000. Anyone heard anything about that? They told me not to touch the Canon with a barge pole, as it has massive problems, both with hardware failures, setup problems and horrible software. Their recommendation was either a new Epson 3800 if I did not need roll feed, a second hand 4800 if I needed roll feed or maybe wait for the new R1900, which is Epson's direct competitor for the HP B9180 and is going to be very competitively priced. I would be interested to see if Epson have cured their huge ink consumption problem on this printer. I would guess that my ink consumption on the HP B9180 is substantially less than 50% of that on my R1800. As my HP printer keeps being replaced under warranty and I get a new set of ink carts each time, my ink bill over the last six months has been close to zero - magic!

 

Wilson

[jrc]

I've been doing research on printers and have narrowed it down to the Epson 3800 and the HP z3100. The Canon entry in this category seems to have a lot of set-up and operational problems and questions and support issues, although the prints are supposed to be great. Recently, though, I've been seeing a lot of reports from people on the Luminous Landscape about "pizza wheel" tracks made by the HP on many kinds of paper; and other HP mechanical and support issues. I would like a 24" printer, and the Epson is not one, it's 17"; but I've been thinking about it anyway because it supposedly makes exceptional prints, is relatively cheap, and they've added the extra black cartridge so that you don't have to change between matte and glossy. They *haven't* fixed this issue even in the newer iterations of their bigger printers, which is astonishing, because this is the main issue that everybody had with them...Of the three printers, the HP supposedly will give you the most brilliant prints with the least amount of knowledge 8-); that also makes it tempting, since I'm a leader in the least-knowledge arena.

 

If I was printing in both Britain and France, I'd get a good roof-top carrier, bubble-wrap the printer, put it in the carrier, and take it with me...

 

JC

[wlaidlaw]

 

If I was printing in both Britain and France, I'd get a good roof-top carrier, bubble-wrap the printer, put it in the carrier, and take it with me...

 

JC

 

John,

 

Nice idea but wouldn't really work on a Porsche 911 ;-}} When I had the big Alpina B10, I used to take my photo-printer up and down but not now possible. My wife asked last week how much wine I had brought back with me and was not amused by the "half a case" answer.

 

Wilson

[stunsworth]

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Nice idea but wouldn't really work on a Porsche 911 ;-}}

 

Couldn't you get a trailer from Halfords? <grin>

[wlaidlaw]

Couldn't you get a trailer from Halfords? <grin>

 

No tow hitch is permitted on the European Spec 996's. There is a guy (Willwood Systems inc.) who makes one for the US spec cars, which have a heavier internal alloy beam behind the rear plastic bumper for fender bender protection. Even that tow hitch has a 550 pound weight towing limit. You can get a ski roof box but that would not hold an Epson 3800.

 

Wilson

[elansprint72]

Simple- chuck out the current engine cover, fit a 1985 whale tail, this will carry the printer and a grandfather clock, and...... you can use it to place a disposable barbecue on for les roadside pique-niques!

[wlaidlaw]

Simple- chuck out the current engine cover, fit a 1985 whale tail, this will carry the printer and a grandfather clock, and...... you can use it to place a disposable barbecue on for les roadside pique-niques!

 

...or I could always go for the earlier model which would pull a big enough trailer for me to buy an Epson 11880.

 

Wilson

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[nrj]

Hi

 

I've had an epson 3800 for almost a year now. I've left it off for periods up to a month with no problems at all. The prints are great, easily better than my older epson 1290. I also have an HP 8450 for A4 glossy and satin. This is an excellent printer, with print quality the equal of the 3800. On the HP each time you change an ink cartridge you get a new print head since they're integral with the cartridge. HP did an A3 version of the printer called an 8750, but I haven't seen its output so can't comment, but either of these could fit your use pattern, and you could fit them into a Porsche.

 

cheers, Nik

[wlaidlaw]

Hi

 

I've had an epson 3800 for almost a year now. I've left it off for periods up to a month with no problems at all. The prints are great, easily better than my older epson 1290. I also have an HP 8450 for A4 glossy and satin. This is an excellent printer, with print quality the equal of the 3800. On the HP each time you change an ink cartridge you get a new print head since they're integral with the cartridge. HP did an A3 version of the printer called an 8750, but I haven't seen its output so can't comment, but either of these could fit your use pattern, and you could fit them into a Porsche.

 

cheers, Nik

 

Nick,

 

I know the HP's are not a problem as I leave my 1200 Business inkjet off over the winter in France. All I do when I get back in the spring is take the heads out and wipe them with isopropyl alcohol. I am hoping that the HP B9180 I have also left in France this year, will be the same, as you can certainly remove and clean the heads in two minutes. I want a printer that I don't have to take up and down with me but can be mothballed without dying or if the heads block, it is nice if it is a self-replacement job rather than a take away. I was thinking of an HP DJ 90 but the test print I had done yesterday was pretty ordinary. I did not realise, since they call the inks "Vivera" that they were not pigment but still dye. I had thought that all Vivera inks were pigment. When Mac-Leopard arrives later this month, I can easily set up remote operation of my UK system from France and then all I have to do is send a remote print say twice a month, if I end up buying a 3800.

 

Wilson

[hofrench]

I've got an HP B9180, my first and only one, and it has worked flawlessly out of the box, and has never clogged (which is why I bought it).

I love the thing. Only complaint is that it doesn't take paper by the roll, but you can't have everything.

Sorry to hear others have had problems, but I still think it's a great machine, and would insist on HP setting you right if you've run into problems

[wlaidlaw]

I've got an HP B9180, my first and only one, and it has worked flawlessly out of the box, and has never clogged (which is why I bought it).

I love the thing. Only complaint is that it doesn't take paper by the roll, but you can't have everything.

Sorry to hear others have had problems, but I still think it's a great machine, and would insist on HP setting you right if you've run into problems

 

Howard,

 

One of the nice things about HP in contrast to Epson UK (for their prosumer against professional stuff, which has I believe good service), is there never is an argument when the B9180 goes wrong. They say pretty much right away - "there is a replacement on its way to you sir". It is just that that has been rather too frequent in the first 6 months and of course, you loose about 4 to 5 days use each time. The good news is that you are supposed to take the print heads out of your machine and the cartridges but they give you another brand new set of carts with each replacement. I now have enough ink to last me about two years and all free.

 

Wilson

[nrj]

Nick,

 

I know the HP's are not a problem as I leave my 1200 Business inkjet off over the winter in France. All I do when I get back in the spring is take the heads out and wipe them with isopropyl alcohol. I am hoping that the HP B9180 I have also left in France this year, will be the same, as you can certainly remove and clean the heads in two minutes. I want a printer that I don't have to take up and down with me but can be mothballed without dying or if the heads block, it is nice if it is a self-replacement job rather than a take away. I was thinking of an HP DJ 90 but the test print I had done yesterday was pretty ordinary. I did not realise, since they call the inks "Vivera" that they were not pigment but still dye. I had thought that all Vivera inks were pigment. When Mac-Leopard arrives later this month, I can easily set up remote operation of my UK system from France and then all I have to do is send a remote print say twice a month, if I end up buying a 3800.

 

Wilson

 

 

Hi Wilson

 

sounds like you need another HP9180 for UK use. I was thinking about the DesignJets (90 or 130) at one time but the samples I received from HP didn't convince me enough, and if the prints get wet the ink runs(print quality of the HP8450 seems much better). I got the 3800 instead and think its a really good printer, well thought out for its market. I like the ability to experiment with different papers, its great on matt/fine art, plus the prints are supposed to be very longlasting. Downside is using roll paper, I have to flatten it before use which is tiresome and I don't think I've found the best technique yet.

 

Nik

[wlaidlaw]

Hi Wilson

 

sounds like you need another HP9180 for UK use. I was thinking about the DesignJets (90 or 130) at one time but the samples I received from HP didn't convince me enough, and if the prints get wet the ink runs(print quality of the HP8450 seems much better). I got the 3800 instead and think its a really good printer, well thought out for its market. I like the ability to experiment with different papers, its great on matt/fine art, plus the prints are supposed to be very longlasting. Downside is using roll paper, I have to flatten it before use which is tiresome and I don't think I've found the best technique yet.

 

Nik

 

Nik,

 

Having really enjoyed having A3+ (13" wide) facility on the B9180, of course, I now want to go one better and have A2/17". I really only use matte/fine art or pearl/lustre papers, so that is why everyone seems to recommend the 3800. I am puzzled by your comments on roll feed. I had been told that there was no roll feed available for the 3800 and if I wanted that at my budget, I would have to go for either an unsold 4000 still hanging around, a refurbished 4000 or up my budget to a 4800/4880. If I can get a roll feed for the 3800 that is another plus for me, as I can get my favourite paper (Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl) in 17" wide rolls, whereas the max cut sheet size is currently A3+.

 

Wilson

[Mark Pope]

The blocked nozzles thing was interesting. I've got a 2400 and I use the Permajet continuous inking system. The instructions suggest that if you're not going to use the printer for extended periods, it's advisable to use a timer to switch the printer on and off once a day. This makes the printer go through a cleaning cycle. I wonder whether this approach is valid when one is using Epson's standard cartridges, albeit potentially expensive?

When we went on holiday for a week last month, I didn't follow this advice and since then the printer has needed regular nozzle cleans to get it working satisfactorily. You live and learn... In fact now before I start printing, the first thing I do is a nozzle check. On Sunday, it took 7 cleaning cycles to sort the printer out.

 

At least with the CIS, the consumable costs are much lower so I don't mind losing the odd print due to banding or ink spots. In fact I feel I'm no worse off than when I'm in the darkroom, where I can easily use a shed load of paper making test strips and work prints: especially if I need to pre-flash the paper.

It doesn't stop it being frustrating when prints aren't as you expect them to be though. The thing is that I would imagine that any printer that uses pigments rather than dye ink is going to be susceptible to clogging from time to time.

 

I have read about but never seen cleaning cartridges and paper for Epson printers - or was I imagining it?

 

I'm hoping that when I print my next batch of holiday shots I'll give it a damned good hammering and get it back to 'normal'.

[stunsworth]

I am puzzled by your comments on roll feed. I had been told that there was no roll feed available for the 3800...

 

Indeed there isn't Wilson.

 

What I think Nik was referring to when he said "Downside is using roll paper, I have to flatten it before use which is tiresome and I don't think I've found the best technique yet", was that he cuts the rolls manually and then has to flatten the paper before it can be used in a 3800.

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[wlaidlaw]

It doesn't stop it being frustrating when prints aren't as you expect them to be though. The thing is that I would imagine that any printer that uses pigments rather than dye ink is going to be susceptible to clogging from time to time.

 

I have read about but never seen cleaning cartridges and paper for Epson printers - or was I imagining it?

 

I'm hoping that when I print my next batch of holiday shots I'll give it a damned good hammering and get it back to 'normal'.

 

Mark,

 

This is exactly what I have had throughout the three years I have had the Epson R1800 and that plus the problems with the roll feed, mean I would be very reluctant to buy another prosumer Epson (against a full professional model). In the 6 months I have been using the HP B9180, whereas I have had quite a few paper feed problems in different zones of the printer and it seems to have a tendency to spit the tiny paper feed rollers out the front door (usually terminal), I have not had a single instance of nozzle blocking and have not had to run a clean routine once. So it would seem that HP at least, have solved the pigment ink nozzle problem. You also don't have the high ink consumption for cleaning that the Stylus Pro (3800, 4000, 4800 etc) Epsons have. I have been staggered how low the ink consumption of my HP has been. People say the same about the Canon Prograph 5000, in between swearing at its other problems. If only you could combine the reliability of the Epson 3800, with the ink consumption and lack of ink problems of the HP, together with the amazing gamut of the Prograph 5000, you would have the perfect printer.

 

Wilson

[nrj]

Indeed there isn't Wilson.

 

What I think Nik was referring to when he said "Downside is using roll paper, I have to flatten it before use which is tiresome and I don't think I've found the best technique yet", was that he cuts the rolls manually and then has to flatten the paper before it can be used in a 3800.

 

Hi Steve

 

yep thats it. The cutting is OK and if its canvas or textured fine art paper under 300 gms/sqm I can get flat sheets. Over this weight I struggle to get crease free sheets. Once cut and flat I find I can feed them through the rear holder without too many misfeeds.

 

Nik