Finally got a new printer, and "WOW!"

[Marv800]

Geeze...

I guess i;ve been living in the stone age too long. Many moons (2002) ago I bought an Epson 1280 printer, and I was always happy with the prints it put out on Premium Glossy Photo Paper.

I never saw a reason to upgrade, after all, "they're just printers right? How much could the technology have changed?"

Well, the last few months, I've been wrestling to get the print heads unclogged until this past weekend, I attempted a self-disassembly-and-clean project that resulted in the demise of the trusty old thing. (Okay, I f*cked it up!).

Well, I sprung for an Epson R1900 and wasn't expecting dramatic improvement over my old 8x10 prints....

Boy was I wrong!

Not only does the printer produce prints a HELL OF A LOT FASTER (I used to wait 10 minutes for a high quality 8x10), but the prints that come out of this thing are easily a generation or two beyond! I'm printing on Ultra Premium Lster Photo Paper, a WOW! Its hard to believe that the mild-mannered inkjet printer has unquestionably surpassed my once coveted Ilfocromes!

Why didn't I buy a new printer sooner?!?!?!

[HutchPhoto]

Why didn't I buy a new printer sooner?!?!?!

Because you waited till now to work on your ole trusty printer--> and BROKE the bond... LMAO

I know what you mean when I bought my canon printer, It prints up too 13x19.. now I want a larger printer.. eeeek.. I better let the labs print my larger prints... LOL


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[miesa]

I'm in a similar situation.... I am switching to using labs to print my stuff but I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet on a new printer.... I like having total control over my prints. I am sure I will get use to sending things off to a lab....

[venchka]

uNLESS YOU GO ALL THE WAY TO A PRINTER WITH LARGE INK SUPPLY, be prepared to spend a lot of money on ink and paper.

Having control may mean going all the way to the QuadTone RIP. Whatever that means. In a nutshell: a $50 program that allows you to profile your photos and your printer and your paper to look the way YOU want. More money. QuadTone RIP only works with Epson printers. Contrary to popular myth, Canon & HP also make very good printers.

[mschulz]

Originally Posted by venchka

Contrary to popular myth, Canon & HP also make very good printers.

I can only second that. I never really warmed up to my R2400 and never liked what came out of it. I switched to the Canon Pro9500 and what a difference. Love the printer and what comes out of it.

As for larger prints, I print up to 13x19 myself and everything bigger goes to a lab with a reference print (11x17) so they know what I want. That way I get control and larger prints when needed in a consistent manner.

[S-Man]

They should have a sticky entitled: "Marv's New Gear Thread" and he can just update once a month when he gets awesome new gear.

[MulberryLane]

I have the R1900 as well. Do you use it for everything, or do you send out for your prints? Just curious.