Printer recommendation for nice colour, B&W, and alt-processes

[Greg Miller]

Although the 3800 may come with "$400 dollars worth of ink", a large percentage of that will be used up when charging the printer.

The ink is not being used up. It is mostly just filling up the tubing between the cartridge and the print head and charging the print head. So the ink will end up being used for your prints. The true implication is really at the back end of the life of the printer. Whenever you sell or destroy the printer, there will be ink in the tubing that will not have been used. But for anyone who does much printing, this amount of ink depreciated over the total number of prints made during the life of the printer is not meaningful.

[Ken Lee]

Harmon Fiber Gloss AL or Ilford Fiber Gold Silk if you like a little texture.
Don Bryant

Thanks !!

[venchka]

Freestyle Arista OHP is a drop in replacement for Pictorico.

Don Bryant

Thanks Don! That's good to know.

[Jay W]

True, it's only about 9% cheaper. Interesting....

... the Gold Fibre is actually more expensive in rolls, and Epson Exhibition fiber is not available in rolls.

One more tib-bit, if you're buying with a rebate in mind, you have to purchase from an authorized Epson dealer. So Amazon offers some very cheap shipping and a good price, but I don't think they qualify.

Jay

[Jay W]

Just a follow up. Thanks for your info, I ended up going with the 4880. There were a number of reasons:

-The difference in price between the 3800 and 4880 was $345
-I have various formats (35, 6x6, 4x5, plus a few pano's) so roll paper can be a benefit
-The 4880 should have a better paper transport
-Ebay has some good deals on 110 ml ink (cheaper than the 80 ml ink), but I don't know if that'll last
-I think I can print with the photo black only (I'll see how Harman FB and the Epson Exh paper look).

A couple things I found:

-B&H was cheaper (printer and shipping), but when I added two boxes Exhibition paper to the order, the shipping increased something like $47. (Both have to be on the same order to get the paper free.) So I ened up ordering through Adorama.
-You have to order through an authorized Epson dealer to get the rebate.
-The printer is being shipped from only 20 miles away (not from NY), so I should have the printer soon.

Jay

[venchka]

Got your forklift handy?

Enjoy! Be sure and update us on your progress.

[PenGun]

Got your forklift handy?

Enjoy! Be sure and update us on your progress.

It's 90lbs. You need a forklift? Maybe another person if you are small but ... wow.

[venchka]

I know someone in San Antonio who just bought one. I thought he said it was 150 pounds. My bad if I'm wrong.

[Jay W]

...almost forgot. Ordering through bing.com (the old live.com) gets another 6% rebate or $106 on the 4880 and $11 on the Exhibition paper. The Exhibition paper offer ends 8/31.

Sorry to keep posting on this.

Jay

[venchka]

The 4880 ships with photo black ink only. Matte black cartridge is extra.