Ira Solomon wrote:
I’m going to buy a new printer soon. SInce all you folks are serious about your work I’d be interested in your recommendations. I currently use an Epson 1280. I am thinking about the Epson R1800. The R2400 is clearly better for B&W, but I’m more interested in color. I do mostly matte printing.
I’m really not too familiar with the HP and Canon lines. Street price needs to be under $1000.
Thanks.
Ira Solomon
I have and love the Epson R800. It’s the 8.5" version of the R1800. I would highly recommend it. The color, smoothness, and longevity are wonderful. You should love its prints.
One of it’s strong points it the Gloss Optimizer to almost completely eliminate bronzing. This makes very smooth, even pictures. However, that doesn’t work on matte papers. Another advantage is that it has two blacks in it at all times. One is Photo Black that prints on glossy papers. Matte Black is used on matte papers and gives very rich, dark blacks.
I am absolutely thrilled with the B&W printing ability of my R800. I know I’ve read that the new Ultrachrome E3 ink set in the R2400 and up are better for B&W. I’m getting just what I want from my R800. I get no color in my B&W and the bronzing isn’t there either. I think the R2400 would give a better DMAX, but I doubt most people could see it. I’d love to try though.
In fairness, it would be hard to buy a bad top-end printer today. HP and Canon make excellent top-end photo printers too. They all print wonderful looking prints in color and B&W. There are slight variations and strengths. For example, HP has very good archival ability with dye based inks – on the right papers. Some HP printers have been know for great B&W. HP printers are known for more speed than Epson, but not by much. HP ink cartridges are typically more expensive than the others; sometimes a fair bit higher.
Canon is noted as the speed king. They are also noted for not having the same level of longevity that the other two do. They are getting better though.
The real key is to make sure you can get a good profile for the papers you want to use on the printer you buy. With a good profile you will probably get great prints on any of them. Without good profiles you may never be happy with the output.
Clyde