Epson Printers 1800 & 2400

[bendle]

Could anyone tell me the differences in color printing between these two printers other than the gloss optimiser.

[roy victor]

2400 better B&W

[bendle]

I know that the B&W are much better on Epson 2400 it is the color that i am unsure of..

[Mr. Pickles]

Everything I have read has said the "color" was pretty close to the same, but that doesn't mean a lot.

It was the B&W that got better, but you knew that.

[PhotoMom]

I've been looking for some kind of help with my epson R800. Looks like someone on this thread might be of help.

I just purchased the R800. I don't print larger than 8.5X11, so it was perfect. I originally thought I'd buy this so that i could avoid the lab, because I'm only printing photos for people who need the 8.5X11 full bleed print, and I could do these without the lab. Also, thought I'd try the continuous ink supply system. bought that. If this printer printed out halfway decent photos, this ink supply system would be a godsend. HOWEVER, my prints are coming out too DARK!!! I even installed the driver they made available to correct this problem, but I'm still getting the dark photos.

Does anyone else have this model and had this same problem, and if so, how did you correct it? I've calibrated my monitor but they still print dark.

I thought it might be my PS program, but when I print to a regular HP photo printer, the print is fine. The problem is with the printer.

Any ideas?

PhotoMom

[Jason Kim]

I have both. R1800 colors are slightly warm side and R2400 is neutral to the point of being boring. I used to like R1800 better at the beginning but now I use R2400 almost exclusively. Only time I use R1800 is when I want gloss prints to give away.

[Tom Swaman]

Jason,

The Epson 2400 printer is very different than is the 1800. Both print up to 11" X14" prints, but the pigment-based ink technology used by the 1800 is a generation earlier than that used by the 1800. The 2400 is generally considered to be the top of their amateur printer line or the bottom of their professional printer line. The newest printers coming out shortly in the U.S. will be very similar, if not identical mechanically to the 2400 and up, but with a slightly different color system that the existing 8 to 10 color K-3 Ultrachrome inks. Basically, Epson has reformulated their magenta ink in the "XX80" series printers being introduced.

If you are in the market, the 2400 is the better way to go. If you do a lot of printing, the 3800 is the way to go as you get about $400 to $500 U.S. worth of ink with the price of the printer and you will not spend your life changing smaller ink cartridges.

Tom

[tomrock]

The 1800 uses dye inks. Punchier colors but the prints don't last as long.

The 2400 uses pigment inks. Much better longevity. And the colors are great.

If you're at all serious about your printing, you want a 2400.

Keep in mind, that if you buy a 2400 and as much ink as you get with a 3800, you'll spend more money. You may want to think about a 3800, even if you don't think you'll make big prints. The ink economy from the bigger cartridges is worth it.

[Bodley]

Originally Posted by tomrock

The 1800 uses dye inks. Punchier colors but the prints don't last as long.

The 2400 uses pigment inks. Much better longevity. And the colors are great.

Both printers use pigment based inks but the 1800 is a generation earlier than the 2400. The 1800 uses a gloss optimizer to reduce bronzing on gloss prints and the 2400 inks (UltraChrome K3™) are formulated to where bronzing is not much of a problem therefore no gloss optimizer.
The 2400 has user-interchangeable Photo and Matte Black cartridges and the 1800 does not require user to change them out (both are installed at the same time)

FWIW Epson announced the R1900 today with new inks (retaining gloss optimizer) and using an orange cart. in lieu of the blue. Saw the info here Epson announces Stylus Photo R1900: Digital Photography Review Would expect to see the R1800 on sale soon

[Tom Swaman]

As both Tom Rock and I posted, the 3800 is the preferred way to go by a large margin. The Ultrachrome K3 inks are the best available pigment-based inks in the Epson system and these are good, not only as colors, but because they have a long unopened shelf-life, a long opened shelf-life and a very low nozzle-clogging potential.

Tom

[Bodley]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

As both Tom Rock and I posted, the 3800 is the preferred way to go by a large margin. The Ultrachrome K3 inks are the best available pigment-based inks in the Epson system and these are good, not only as colors, but because they have a long unopened shelf-life, a long opened shelf-life and a very low nozzle-clogging potential.

Tom

I agree with the Tom's - the 3800 appears to be the way to go. I'm considering upgrading from the R800 to a larger format and would love to get away from the small ink cartridges at the same time. Seems like I'm always running out of a few colors.

As a bonus the 3800 is a 17" printer and auto switches between photo & matte blacks. If you don't need 4x6 type prints - refurbished 4800 (even more ink, cutter, roll feed) can be had for about the same price as a new 3800.

[Tom Swaman]

Bodley,

I printed a job with 102 4" X 5" prints on my 3800. Furthermore, you can sace a bundle of cash and put several prints on a larger sheet of paper and use a rotary cutter or equal to finish the size of your prints.

Tom

[Bodley]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

Bodley,

I printed a job with 102 4" X 5" prints on my 3800.
Tom

Great, but I did not intend to imply that the 3800 could not print smaller stock. However the 4800/4880 is not designed to print on cut sheet or roll stock that small.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Bodley]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

Bodley,

I printed a job with 102 4" X 5" prints on my 3800. Tom

I do have a question - I noticed that Epson has 4x6 as the minimum size prints - is there an option in the driver which allows you to specify a smaller size or did you do something else.

Do you know if there is a workaround which allows printing 4x6's on the 4800/4880? I was wanting to print on canvas (read that you could not on the 3800)and was about to pull the trigger on a refurb. 4800 until I read that 8.25" was the minimum size.

Thanks,
Greg

[Tom Swaman]

Bodley,

First my typing suffers as I meant 4" X 6" and not 4" X 5".

Second, i do not know the exact answer to your question as I have never tried anything smaller like a wallet with this printer. However, when I print, I always insert the print dimensions that I want and the resolution. I do not print to fixed aspect ratios. I have printed many 3" X 3.75 inch prints for a large project I did about 3 months ago and everything worked great. I did cut the finished photos rather than print on pre-sized cut paper.

Tom

[MeadMkr]

One thing you may find is that the cost difference in acquiring one. I picked up a refurb unit from Epson for about $314 delivered and if they honor the rebate (questionable) it'll be down to $214

I looked at the 2400 and 3800 but decided that since I don't print matt very often the 1800 was a good step up from the old reliable R200. And the money saved will go towards a CIS once the warranty is up.

[Tom Swaman]

MeadowMkr.

Did your refurbished unit come with a complete set of inks and the waste tank?

Tom

[Bodley]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

MeadowMkr.

Did your refurbished unit come with a complete set of inks and the waste tank?

Tom

I think he was referring to the refurbished R1800 on the Epson site Epson Stylus Photo R1800 - Refurbished, Overview - Product Information - Epson America, Inc. the current $100 rebate is not valid on refurbished 1800's Epson America, Inc. - Rebate Center . The unit comes with ink and new warranty - don't think that model has the waste tank.

[happusa]

I think Tom said the 2400 and 1800 print up to 11x14. The 2400 prints 13x19. At least mine does.