Posted by Peter Barritt on August 25, 2007 at 9:19 AM
what printers are members waxing lyrical about these days? I need A3+ and don't do a hell of a lot of printing. I've used the old Epson 1290 printer until now, but it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Anyone had experience of the Stylus Photo 1400...not sure how this compares to R1800 or R2400
Peter
Posted by Chris Lloyd on August 25, 2007 at 9:26 AM
I have the R1800 and am very pleased with it. Its not noisy, reasonably fast and lovely images.
Regards Chris.
Posted by Sean Bolton on August 25, 2007 at 9:53 AM
Hi Peter
I also own the Epson R1800. Excellent print quality upto A3+ borderless. I print on gloss, matte, and art papers, all with great results. I was also very impressed with the Black and White output from this printer, despite not using additional grey inks as per the R2400.
These days I think any of the A3+ printers from HP, Canon, Epson produce very high quality results so there is not too much to differentiate between models.
The CD/DVD print facility is nifty too, I use this quite a bit.
cheers
Sean
p.s. previously I owned the 1290, the R1800 is much better in terms of print quality.
Posted by Peter Barritt on August 25, 2007 at 10:02 AM
thanks guys. do you find once the screen is calibrated and you've downloaded the epson drivers that print matches the screen better than the 1290?
Hi I still use the 1290s simply because I can do a 13 inch by 10 foot panoramic prints with roll paper I think this feature is missing from a lot of the newer A3+ printers.
Phillip.
Ps I think the R1800 will probably be my next choice of printer depending on how long the panoramic prints that can come off it are.
Posted by Sean Bolton on August 25, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Generally I found my R1800 gave accurate colour out of the box with the standard profiles on (Epson) glossy/matte paper, colour repro is better than the 1290.
I got some minor improvements (more so for non-Epson paper) by having some relatively inexpensive profiles made by www.nativedigital.co.uk
If you aren't going to print much, then save the cash and use one of the online shops like Photobox for printing instead. None of the grief of blocked nozzles, empty cartridges etc etc. Most of them these days do pretty good turn-around too.
Only downside really is that you can't get the great long pano's from them.
Hello Peter
I use the R2400 and Pro 4000 for my inkjet prints (commercially) and the R1800 for dye sublimation (again commercially). The 1800 and 4000 are on continuous ink systems.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by Sean Bolton on August 25, 2007 at 3:14 PM
Hi Peter
I am with Nick on using commercial labs over my own inkjets, certainly for print sizes in the 8x6 to 14x11 range, which is the bulk of my stuff. Lab print quality is better and cheaper.
For one-off, and larger print sizes, then printing yourself makes sense from a cost perspective. Also allows you to vary the paper type and use some more exotic art papers.
For general online printing I use www.rgb-labs.co.uk also look at www.proamimaging.com or www.loxleycolour.com although Loxley is geared more for the social/wedding/event photographer.
Photobox is ok, print quality is decent (not the best but still good), good service, the calendar option is excellent!
Also look at www.peak-imaging.com or a more specialist giclee printer such as www.digitalarte.co.uk.
I still need my R1800, for one off and quick turnaround stuff, and it's great for producing A3+ prints on posh papers, so I wouldn't be without it.
Discussion
8 repliesPeter
Regards Chris.
I also own the Epson R1800. Excellent print quality upto A3+ borderless. I print on gloss, matte, and art papers, all with great results. I was also very impressed with the Black and White output from this printer, despite not using additional grey inks as per the R2400.
These days I think any of the A3+ printers from HP, Canon, Epson produce very high quality results so there is not too much to differentiate between models.
The CD/DVD print facility is nifty too, I use this quite a bit.
cheers
Sean
p.s. previously I owned the 1290, the R1800 is much better in terms of print quality.
Phillip.
Ps I think the R1800 will probably be my next choice of printer depending on how long the panoramic prints that can come off it are.
I got some minor improvements (more so for non-Epson paper) by having some relatively inexpensive profiles made by www.nativedigital.co.uk
cheers
Sean
Only downside really is that you can't get the great long pano's from them.
I use the R2400 and Pro 4000 for my inkjet prints (commercially) and the R1800 for dye sublimation (again commercially). The 1800 and 4000 are on continuous ink systems.
Best wishes
Phil
I am with Nick on using commercial labs over my own inkjets, certainly for print sizes in the 8x6 to 14x11 range, which is the bulk of my stuff. Lab print quality is better and cheaper.
For one-off, and larger print sizes, then printing yourself makes sense from a cost perspective. Also allows you to vary the paper type and use some more exotic art papers.
For general online printing I use www.rgb-labs.co.uk also look at www.proamimaging.com or www.loxleycolour.com although Loxley is geared more for the social/wedding/event photographer.
Photobox is ok, print quality is decent (not the best but still good), good service, the calendar option is excellent!
Also look at www.peak-imaging.com or a more specialist giclee printer such as www.digitalarte.co.uk.
I still need my R1800, for one off and quick turnaround stuff, and it's great for producing A3+ prints on posh papers, so I wouldn't be without it.
cheers
Sean