Posted by Bill Pelzmann on November 17, 2006 at 7:23 PM
Just after I told my wife I didn't have any photo gear purchase plans, for a while ... .... it appears that my Epson 2200 is dying. I had hoped to get at least another year out of this printer.
So, here are my questions:
1. My Epson 2400 has started printing bands of magenta in the last 1/2 inch of every print. The band widths have been growing. Cleaning cycles have no effect. Have any of you experienced this with any of the Epson printers and is this a sign of terminal illness?
2. Has anyone upgraded to the new Epson 3800, and could I pay you to print one of my files?
3. Does anyone have experience with the ImagePrint RIP for Epson. Is it worth the high cost, if the printer is primarily used for color? I've seen several "must have" recommendations of ImagePrint for B&W output with the other Epson large format printers.
Posted by Bill Langton on November 18, 2006 at 12:14 AM
Bill...
I don't think the 3800 is shipping yet. It looks promising though! B&H lists it but indicates that it is "Coming Soon".
Good luck,
Bill
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on November 18, 2006 at 12:28 AM
Thanks, Bill.
I assumed it was already shipping, since the announcement was quite some time ago.
So, let me rephrase - Does anyone have one on order?
Posted by Mel Ladewig on November 18, 2006 at 1:29 PM
I was also wondering about the Canon IPF5000. At B&H this printer is listing for less than the Epson 3800, but I seemed to remember the reviews listing it at a price around $2000. At B&H, they are listing the printer for $1395. Unfortunately, it is listed as out of stock. Apparently there is a $500 rebate on this printer. The only downside is that the ink cartidges it comes with are only 1/2 filled and a new full set is in the range of $1000.
Also with the 3800, it will not accept roll paper, so be aware of that.
Mel-
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on November 19, 2006 at 1:21 AM
Mel,
Yes, the lack of roll paper support on the 3800 is a significant issue for some.
However, it will print up to 37" when selecting the custom paper size - if you are willing to cut your own lengths from a roll.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on November 19, 2006 at 2:46 PM
Interesting. I had not seen that was an avaiable option. 37" seems like a random length to make the cutoff for custom sizes.
Posted by Les Barstow on November 19, 2006 at 3:10 PM
Mel, 37" sounds like one more than 36" - since you can't print borderless on custom paper sizes... You're right, though, it's a pretty arbitrary number.
The problem with magenta bands at the back end of the print sounds like it might be a feed problem if you're using sheet paper. If the paper gets out of alignment or doesn't feed uniformly, it might start showing as a banding issue, though why magenta I couldn't say. Have you switched paper or paper settings recently and activated/deactivated the thick paper setting? (My R800 and R1800 have a "thick paper" checkbox accessible via Maintenance -> Printer and Option Information - don't know about the 2400...) Is the 2400 still under warranty? This sounds like a service call, though not necessarily a terminal issue.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on November 20, 2006 at 12:42 AM
Les,
Changing to a thinner paper is a good suggestion. I've been using Moab Entrada 300 and haven't changed any settings for a LONG time. I'll give it a try when I get back to Houston next week. My 2 year extended warranty expired last year, so I knew I was "printing on borrowed time."
Thanks!
Posted by Mike Porter on November 20, 2006 at 1:21 AM
Discussion
8 repliesSo, here are my questions:
1. My Epson 2400 has started printing bands of magenta in the last 1/2 inch of every print. The band widths have been growing. Cleaning cycles have no effect. Have any of you experienced this with any of the Epson printers and is this a sign of terminal illness?
2. Has anyone upgraded to the new Epson 3800, and could I pay you to print one of my files?
3. Does anyone have experience with the ImagePrint RIP for Epson. Is it worth the high cost, if the printer is primarily used for color? I've seen several "must have" recommendations of ImagePrint for B&W output with the other Epson large format printers.
I don't think the 3800 is shipping yet. It looks promising though! B&H lists it but indicates that it is "Coming Soon".
Good luck,
Bill
I assumed it was already shipping, since the announcement was quite some time ago.
So, let me rephrase - Does anyone have one on order?
Also with the 3800, it will not accept roll paper, so be aware of that.
Mel-
Yes, the lack of roll paper support on the 3800 is a significant issue for some.
However, it will print up to 37" when selecting the custom paper size - if you are willing to cut your own lengths from a roll.
The problem with magenta bands at the back end of the print sounds like it might be a feed problem if you're using sheet paper. If the paper gets out of alignment or doesn't feed uniformly, it might start showing as a banding issue, though why magenta I couldn't say. Have you switched paper or paper settings recently and activated/deactivated the thick paper setting? (My R800 and R1800 have a "thick paper" checkbox accessible via Maintenance -> Printer and Option Information - don't know about the 2400...) Is the 2400 still under warranty? This sounds like a service call, though not necessarily a terminal issue.
Changing to a thinner paper is a good suggestion. I've been using Moab Entrada 300 and haven't changed any settings for a LONG time. I'll give it a try when I get back to Houston next week. My 2 year extended warranty expired last year, so I knew I was "printing on borrowed time."
Thanks!
Hope this helps