Replacement for Epson 4900 Pro?

[Greg]

I've been using an Epson 4900 Pro printer for maybe 10 years. Love hate relationship. When it is working, I am 100% satisfied with the prints. When it's not: reverts to wanting to print on roll paper all the time, and its inkjet heads always clogging up even with daily use. On Friday finally the heads seemingly permanently clogged up. Epson cleaning doesn't work, and letting the printer head rest on a paper towel soaked with Windex may clean up one colored ink, but others stay clogged up. Very frustrating. I am thinking of replacing it with an Epson SureColor P5370 17" Photo Printer. Have considered a Canon but I have no experience with Canon printers. At the University of Hartford Art School, where I taught for years, they only use Epson printers. The IT person swears at them (not like me swearing at them). Is there an alternative to the 17" 4900 that I should consider?
thanks

[Carl J]

Hi Greg, not that I'm any kind of expert (just the peanut gallery) -- just getting started with digital printing with the ET-8550 dye-based printer to learn the ropes; but I've been looking into what might be a next step in terms of pigment printers and only read/heard good things bout the 5370. Similar form-factor to the 4900 and uses the head of the more consumer oriented P900 so supposedly very good at not clogging even with a couple of weeks between printing sessions. Also, if you're making digital negatives with QTR that's a big plus over the Canon, unless you're using a different system for calibrating your negatives. I think the 5370 is it.

[Jim Jones]

Over the past 8 years my Epson Sure Color P800 has produced 4412 total prints (6472 A2 Equivalent) for non-commercial use with no problems. My previous Epson produced even more satisfactory prints before head strikes with Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper hastened its retirement. I also use an Epson flatbed scanner. Good products! For you people who refill ink cartridges for the P800, I have maybe 35, free for the shipping. jjones@greenhills.net or tel 660 240 5060.

[bdkphoto]

I've been using an Epson 4900 Pro printer for maybe 10 years. Love hate relationship. When it is working, I am 100% satisfied with the prints. When it's not: reverts to wanting to print on roll paper all the time, and its inkjet heads always clogging up even with daily use. On Friday finally the heads seemingly permanently clogged up. Epson cleaning doesn't work, and letting the printer head rest on a paper towel soaked with Windex may clean up one colored ink, but others stay clogged up. Very frustrating. I am thinking of replacing it with an Epson SureColor P5370 17" Photo Printer. Have considered a Canon but I have no experience with Canon printers. At the University of Hartford Art School, where I taught for years, they only use Epson printers. The IT person swears at them (not like me swearing at them). Is there an alternative to the 17" 4900 that I should consider?
thanks

You should take a look a Inkjetmall.com for cleaning protocols for your 4900 before you think about replacing it - I used their PiezoFlush kit and followed their video instructions with my 3880 - worked wonders - you have to clean the wipers and the drip station along with the heads. I ended up switching to their inks as well - very nice savings in ink costs plus you can use the Epson profiles with their ink.