I too use a ten year old Epson 2880. It’s my third Epson photo stylus printer and I wouldn’t consider anytime else. It turns out beautiful prints in BW or color, and when it dies I’ll replace it with the current equivalent or the top 17-inch model. My workflow and calibrated monitor turn out perfect prints on the first try. A 13 x19 borderless print on Epson Premium Luster paper costs me less than $3, and I sell quite a few for $25 each.
Paul > On Jun 30, 2019, at 1:27 PM, Paul Sorenson <[email protected]> wrote: > > I'll tack on to what PJ and Igor have mentioned. I've been using an Epson > R2000 since shortly after it was introduced in 2011 and as long as it keeps > working I'm happy with its output. I seldom use OEM paper, having settled > with Red River Paper as my paper of choice. That said, I'll include some > links below to reviews and printing cost tests that Red River has done. > > The Epson P400 is essentially a new version of the R2000. Matte black and > Photo black automatically switch according to paper type without any purging > of ink. The P600 and P800 use a different inkset than the P400 and while > they have all the black cartridges onboard they still go through a purge > cycle when switching from Matte black to Photo black and back again. Red > River has done some testing to get a feel for the amount of ink wasted during > the purge cycles. > > Here is a link to the reviews Red River has done on both Epson and Canon > printers... > > https://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/articles/ > > And one to their reports on ink useage... > > https://www.redrivercatalog.com/cost-of-inkjet-printing.html > > Hope this helps some. > > -p > >> On 6/30/2019 11:29 AM, Igor PDML-StR wrote: >> >> Larry, >> >> I agree with what P.J. has written in his response. >> >> I have a couple thoughts to add to that. >> I've been using Epson R2880 for some 10 years. >> I am completely satisfied with the quality of the prints, but I am not very >> happy with two factors: >> 1. The ink cartridges are very small, only 11.4 ml, and considerable amount >> of that ink is consumed when you do "head cleaning" (through the internal >> [comes with the printer driver] software utility), after you haven't used >> the printer for a while. Also it purges ink every time you power it up. >> Also, when you replace one ink, I believe, all inks are re-initiated, which >> also wastes some ink. >> >> That sometimes forces me to replace a cartridge that is not completely empty >> yet, when I am replacing an empty one, because otherwise, the almost-empty >> one will become empty shortly (or immediately) after the re-initialization, >> and then more ink would be wasted in 2 re-initialization procedures. >> >> >> 2. Photo black and matte black cannot be installed at the same time. >> If you switch them, _all_ the inks are re-initialized/purged. >> >> The subsequent models have taken care of #2, but I am not sure if they made >> any part related to #1 more efficient. >> >> I don't know how other brand printers deal with the issue in #1, but I know >> that Canon imagePROGRAF (a step-up line of wider printers, 17" and up) >> initializes only the cartridge that you replaced. >> >> So, I would consider how the printer you are going to buy deals with >> various re-initialization and power-up procedures. >> (It is actually rather hard to find that information, short of trying the >> printer... ) >> >> >> >> But what I like is the UltraChrome die ink that Epson uses in this line of >> printers. >> >> The current models, I believe are Epson SureColor P400 and P600, >> and their current price after MIR is $379 and $493 at B&H. >> The ink cartridge is slightly larger: 14 ml and 26 ml, respectively, >> with the prices about $18 per cartridge (or lower for some colors) >> for P400, and $31-32 for P600. (B&H offers a bundle where you save a few $ >> for a complete set). >> >> >> PS. I just found this page from ConsumerReports: >> https://www.consumerreports.org/printers/the-high-cost-of-wasted-printer-ink/ >> >> where they calculate the ink price per gallon (~$6400) and compare that >> to the price of other frequently purchase liquids, such as gas, milk >> and expensive Champagne. ;-) >> Both gas and milk are about 2000 times less expensive than printer ink. It's >> shocking to think about it that way, isn't it? >> >> >> Good luck, and let us know what you will find in the end! >> >> Igor >> >> >> >> Larry Colen Sat, 29 Jun 2019 18:16:18 -0700 wrote: >> >> Last fall I picked up a Pixma ix6820 primarily because I got a really good >> deal on it. I've since bought ink and am somewhat less enamored. I've mostly >> been using it to print out floor plans for my boss and might have the option >> of selling it to him and picking up something that suits my needs a bit >> better. >> >> >> Ideal specs would be: >> able to print at least 12" wide >> photo quality >> reasonably inexpensive to purchase and to feed >> reasonably good quality/longevity >> >> >> 1) Are there any specific printers that you would recommend buying or >> avoiding? >> >> >> 2) Are there any details in particular that I should try to look for? >> > -- > Paul Sorenson > Studio1941 > > Sooner or later "different" scares people. > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
