Posted by Phillip Noll on April 4, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Hello!
I'm in the market for a new 44" printer (tax refund! ) to compliment my current Epson 9600. I'm planning to dedicate the Epson (with ImagePrint RIP) for canvas and textured matte papers whereas the new printer will be mainly for glossy and semigloss papers.
I am leaning towards the HP Z3100 (44") and would like to hear from those of you out there that have first hand experience with this printer. I have a set of sample prints from HP and they are VERY impressive! Any info you care to provide would be appreciated but I would really like to know:
1)Have you had any problems with bronzing?
2)Does the built-in spectrophotometer work as well as advertised?
3)Have you had any problems with the printer (paper jams, head clogs, problems with set up, etc...)?
4)Do you recommend the version with the RIP or are the native printer drivers combined with appropriate ICC profiles good enough for excellent prints?
5)How is the dmax and neutrality of your black and white prints?
about two months ago I plunked down my money for an HP Z3100 24" printer. I was dissapointed with it from the get go. I had serious driver problems where it was only printing 1/4 of the total image stretched to fit what ever paper I was using. I did see more bronzing with it than I did see on prints I from the Epson 9800 and about equal with the Epson 2200. The gloss optimizer does help when used. I did not think the profiles built with the on-board spectrophotometer were all the impressive. It only uses 418 patches. The profiles are ok, but I was seeing gamut warnings on images that I have printed with the Epson 2200 where no gamut warnings came up. The gamuts seemed much smaller to me. Oh I was using Epson Premium Luster paper in it.
I never had any problems with the paper jamming, and setting it up was a breeze, although with a 44" wide printer you will need 4 strong people to help you.
As I mentioned above, I had serious driver issues that even HP could help me resolve, and with the profile issues, I ended up returning the printer and replacing it with an Epson 7880. I am real happy with the 7880.
I only used it for about two weeks, mostly in frustration. It prints slow, slower than my Epson 2200. The inks give off a real strong solvent odor while printing that was not very pleasant, especially in my small studio.
I never did any B&W prints, or used a RIP. The shop I bought it from, claims they can get it to work without any problems, but it was a real lemon when I had it.
Just my experiences, take them for what they are worth.
Posted by Mike Sellers on April 5, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Here is a link to a Z3100 revies on the Luminous Landscape website http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/hp-comparison.shtml
Posted by Andrew Stagg on April 6, 2008 at 7:17 AM
Phillip,
I have the 44" PS version. I cannot fault it.
In answer to your questions:
1/ No bronzing issues at all
2/ The spectrometer seems to work very well, I get consistent colour results every time
3/ No clogs, no jams - the loadnig of paper can be a little bit fiddly when you first start but you soon get used to it.
4/ Get the version with the RIP (the HP PS one) if you can afford it - it gives you the options of the other drivers as well
5/ I can't give you detailed technical dmax on the BW prints, just that both my clients and I love them. Rally good deep consistent black (both gloss and matt)
There is a roller issue on some papers. The fix is out - a new set of rollers. It affects my printing on Hahnemule pearl. HP tech support is a bit of a minefield. But they will sort it out when pushed.
Hope this helps.
Andrew
Posted by Phillip Noll on April 6, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Thanks for the replies so far!
Andrew: How easy/difficult is the roller fix? Also, what capabilities does the RIP provide that the native drivers do not? I know for the earlier Epsons (like my 9600) a RIP was required if you wanted quality prints and neutral black and whites. But most of the reviews I have read suggest that at RIP is not really necessary with the Z3100. Just wondering if it is worth the extra cash.
Thanks!
Phil
Posted by Andrew Stagg on April 7, 2008 at 5:49 AM
Phillip,
The roller fix is done under warranty by an HP guy - so you don't have to do anything - I haven't had mine done yet - still trying to fit in the time! I don't know if the new ones are shipping with the fix in lpace, it may be worth asking HP.
The RIP is probably not necessary unless you are planning to print from Quark or Indesign as the other drivers are very good.
I use Qimage for all the printing - it interfaces very well with the HP in any of the drivers and produces very consistent results.
I haven't tried B&W on any of the other drivers yet. I have a few to do this week so will experiment. Will let you know by Thursday.
Phillip, I've not used the HP printers - but I was in the same boat last year. I was in the market for a 24" and ended up buying the 7880. After months of research. I'd strongly consider this printer, given your intended use - photo black only.
I'd definitely take a look at the Luminous-Landscape printing forum. Lots of 3100 discussion, including the roller issue - which is still a serious issue for many users. And very may well be for you, given your paper choice for the new printer.
Unless you're going to be using a lot of different papers regularly, the built-in spectro is overrated, IMO.
The major drawback of the x880 series is the black ink switch. But if you don't need both blacks, I'd seriously look at the Epson. I tested out ImagePrint, and returned it. The Epson drivers work very well with custom profiles. I get stunning output. The b/w output from IP was truly outstanding, but Epson's advanced b/w printing is no slouch.
I'm commenting because the roller issues made me choose Epson. And Epson has good support. If you're printing mostly gloss/semi, you don't want to deal with marks from the printer - on such large output.
Discussion
6 repliesI'm in the market for a new 44" printer (tax refund!
I am leaning towards the HP Z3100 (44") and would like to hear from those of you out there that have first hand experience with this printer. I have a set of sample prints from HP and they are VERY impressive! Any info you care to provide would be appreciated but I would really like to know:
1)Have you had any problems with bronzing?
2)Does the built-in spectrophotometer work as well as advertised?
3)Have you had any problems with the printer (paper jams, head clogs, problems with set up, etc...)?
4)Do you recommend the version with the RIP or are the native printer drivers combined with appropriate ICC profiles good enough for excellent prints?
5)How is the dmax and neutrality of your black and white prints?
Thanks in advance!
Phil
about two months ago I plunked down my money for an HP Z3100 24" printer. I was dissapointed with it from the get go. I had serious driver problems where it was only printing 1/4 of the total image stretched to fit what ever paper I was using. I did see more bronzing with it than I did see on prints I from the Epson 9800 and about equal with the Epson 2200. The gloss optimizer does help when used. I did not think the profiles built with the on-board spectrophotometer were all the impressive. It only uses 418 patches. The profiles are ok, but I was seeing gamut warnings on images that I have printed with the Epson 2200 where no gamut warnings came up. The gamuts seemed much smaller to me. Oh I was using Epson Premium Luster paper in it.
I never had any problems with the paper jamming, and setting it up was a breeze, although with a 44" wide printer you will need 4 strong people to help you.
As I mentioned above, I had serious driver issues that even HP could help me resolve, and with the profile issues, I ended up returning the printer and replacing it with an Epson 7880. I am real happy with the 7880.
I only used it for about two weeks, mostly in frustration. It prints slow, slower than my Epson 2200. The inks give off a real strong solvent odor while printing that was not very pleasant, especially in my small studio.
I never did any B&W prints, or used a RIP. The shop I bought it from, claims they can get it to work without any problems, but it was a real lemon when I had it.
Just my experiences, take them for what they are worth.
I have the 44" PS version. I cannot fault it.
In answer to your questions:
1/ No bronzing issues at all
2/ The spectrometer seems to work very well, I get consistent colour results every time
3/ No clogs, no jams - the loadnig of paper can be a little bit fiddly when you first start but you soon get used to it.
4/ Get the version with the RIP (the HP PS one) if you can afford it - it gives you the options of the other drivers as well
5/ I can't give you detailed technical dmax on the BW prints, just that both my clients and I love them. Rally good deep consistent black (both gloss and matt)
There is a roller issue on some papers. The fix is out - a new set of rollers. It affects my printing on Hahnemule pearl. HP tech support is a bit of a minefield. But they will sort it out when pushed.
Hope this helps.
Andrew
Andrew: How easy/difficult is the roller fix? Also, what capabilities does the RIP provide that the native drivers do not? I know for the earlier Epsons (like my 9600) a RIP was required if you wanted quality prints and neutral black and whites. But most of the reviews I have read suggest that at RIP is not really necessary with the Z3100. Just wondering if it is worth the extra cash.
Thanks!
Phil
The roller fix is done under warranty by an HP guy - so you don't have to do anything - I haven't had mine done yet - still trying to fit in the time! I don't know if the new ones are shipping with the fix in lpace, it may be worth asking HP.
The RIP is probably not necessary unless you are planning to print from Quark or Indesign as the other drivers are very good.
I use Qimage for all the printing - it interfaces very well with the HP in any of the drivers and produces very consistent results.
I haven't tried B&W on any of the other drivers yet. I have a few to do this week so will experiment. Will let you know by Thursday.
Best
Andrew
I'd definitely take a look at the Luminous-Landscape printing forum. Lots of 3100 discussion, including the roller issue - which is still a serious issue for many users. And very may well be for you, given your paper choice for the new printer.
Unless you're going to be using a lot of different papers regularly, the built-in spectro is overrated, IMO.
The major drawback of the x880 series is the black ink switch. But if you don't need both blacks, I'd seriously look at the Epson. I tested out ImagePrint, and returned it. The Epson drivers work very well with custom profiles. I get stunning output. The b/w output from IP was truly outstanding, but Epson's advanced b/w printing is no slouch.
I'm commenting because the roller issues made me choose Epson. And Epson has good support. If you're printing mostly gloss/semi, you don't want to deal with marks from the printer - on such large output.