Epson 3800 - cheaper in the long run?

[Paul Shields]

From what I can gather this printer is one of the cheaper printers as far as running costs go due to the larger ink cartridges (720ml).

As I'm currently trying to determine which large(ish) format printer to go for, would this printer make sense for making majority A3 (11.7 x 16.5 in) and the occasional A2 (16.5 x 23.4 in) prints rather than opting for a purely A3 printer (Canon 9500, HP B9108 etc)?

[Tom Swaman]

Paul,

This is a wonderful printer. I know several people on this forum besides myself who have this printer. However, I believe the largest you can print is 17 X 22 inch. I do not know if there is a way to print A2, but I strongly suggest you call the Epson Tech. Support folks and double check. Paul these people are very good and very helpful. Also, there is an expert who owns and uses this printer who works at B & H. His name is Sherman and he is on Extension 5390.

My costs with this printer are very low relatively and I have almost zero wastage, clogging or maintenance issues. The next Epson up, namely the 4800 will do what you want and also priint roll paper. Its use cost is even lower as it uses larger ink cartridges, but it also takes up more space and is heavier. If you consider the 4800, check the 4880 before you buy as I think this has an upgraded engine similar to the 3800.

Tom

[Paul Shields]

THanks for that Tom. The 17x22 is around the same as A2, so that ticks that box.

What I've found interesting (and eye-opening) is that some people are going for the 3800 as it's actually better value than say buying a 2400 + equivalent amount of ink . I guess it just depends on how much printing I'll be doing, but the promise of A2 prints is very seductive...

[Tom Swaman]

Paul,

FYI, I just finished a large wall done in 17" X 22" prints framed as 16" X 20"with matte and frames in addition. This wall looks great and I am personally very proud of this. The printing quality is truly sensational and the Epson 3800 is positively the best printer I have ever used.

Please let us know if you purchase this.

Tom

[Paul Shields]

I'll tell you Tom - my mind is spinning trying to work out what would be best for me here. After googling lots of references to the 3800, the HP B9180 (my original choice) and the Epson 4800 I'm not sure if I'm any closer to making a decision as when I knew next to nothing of these printers .

What I've found now is that I can buy a new 4800 for a little bit more than the 3800. The extra size is not an issue as I have plenty of room, and by running larger ink cartridges I would end up being better off after the first renewal....

Either of the wide carriage printers would cost twice that of the HP, but for that I get the ability to go A2 (17") and print for less than half the cost of the HP. That would soon mount up as I have a lot of prints I want to catch up with.

Is there any reason to favour the 3800 if the 4800 is around the same price (based on ink usage over time as much as retail price)? It seems odd that this is so, but it seems that here in the UK printer prices are truly bizarre. The 3800 is around $2000, which seems to be much more than some other places. The 4800 is maybe $2200. The HP B9180 is $900+. I think I need to get my calculator out and work out ink per square inch costs, or just stick to my reliable HP 7960...

It's a bloody minefield out there !

[JDArt]

Very interesting thread. I hadn't heard of the 3800 before. Any way to cut down on ink costs would be welcome. Here's a link to the Epson site touting the 3800.

Ah, but these reviews don't sound good.

I've had several Epson printers in the past, and have always been disappointed ultimately: metamarism, high ink usage, slow printing. Canon printers have given me far less trouble.

[Paul Shields]

I've not been an Epson user in the past, but the 3800 looks like it may be the best compromise regarding big prints and relatively low cost.

Just to throw a fast ball into the mix - my research this week finds that the Canon ipf5000 (a huge heavy duty A2 printer) can now be had for around the same cost as the 3800, and well below the 4800. I certainly have the space for such a beast (my printers and scanners are in their own room away from my photo editing Mac). It seems like there are many plusses and minuses for this as there are for the Epson A2 printers - e.g. expensive print head replacement costs (Canon suggest you replace them once a year at $1200 a pop...). They do seem to last a long time though based on the lack of feedback about head issues.

I do like the idea of a more robust printer, particularly with the benefit of using roll feed paper, but it seems that unless you're making large prints every day (which I will not be doing) then the costs can hit you based on general ink usage and the expense of particular consumable items (i.e. the print heads). I'm now starting to think that a sensible A3 printer may be a better option, and outsource the larger prints.

[Tom Swaman]

Paul,
As I have mentioned before, i went from Epson, which I quickly learned to hate, all four of them to three Canon dye-based inkjets to the Epson 3800. I have used and still use HP laserjets, Konica Minolta laserjets and OKIDATA laserjets. Both the Konica Mimolta and the OKIDATA are beter than the HP in print quality and consummables' costs. The EPSON 3800 is a gem of a pigment-based ink jet and as good and as reliable as anything that I have owned and used. I am told the 4800 is also excellent and I have a friend who uses this professionally. I did not consider this printer as it was too large for the space that I had available and too heavy. if I had the room, I probably would have gone the route of the 4800. Knowing what I now know, I would not hesitate for one second to buy the 3800 and if I wanted roll paper capabilities, I would seriously evaluate the 4800 versus the 4880 that is either just available or about to become available. The engine in the 4880 is a copy of that in the 3800 from what I understand.

Paul, if you are curious, why don't you send some PMs out to others on here who use these printers and ask some critical questions?

Tom

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

Paul, if you are curious, why don't you send some PMs out to others on here who use these printers and ask some critical questions?

Tom

Well to be honest I'd rather read feedback in a thread than in PM's - we need to share the knowledge . There don't seem to be many wide format printer users here at the moment - or maybe they're holding their tongue. The big conundrum I have right now is that the UK prices are a bit crazy with the 3800 being only slightly cheaper than the 4800, and the Canon ipf5000 approaching the 3800 too. I do like the idea of a more industrial strength printer, and I've probably read every post on this subject across all the forums.

It seems that there isn't one printer that will tick all the boxes, so it's a matter of evaluating what I consider important and making a decision from there. Currently the ipf5000 seems like a very good deal if I want to print wide based on initial price and ongoing consumable costs. I'm still thinking that maybe an A3 printer for half the cost may make more sense, and send out to a lab for the bigger prints....

[Tom Swaman]

Paul,

I am sorry to say it , but I think there are several folks on here who use the 3800 and a few who use the 4800. I do not know of anyone using the 4880, but Epson did bring that model out first in the UK. I have avoided mentioning the names of others in my posts as I do not feel that I have the right to do this.

I wish you success with your ongoing dilemma and ultimate decision. You know what I did based upon a similar information base to yours, but not as good because I have had my 3800 for 6 or so months. Please let us know what you do.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Tom

P.S. I read your comments on color space and I could not agree with you more.

[Paul Shields]

Thanks Tom. I appreciate your thoughts on this. When I finally make my mind up I'll be sure to share my views on the camel .

[Montec]

Ever consider the Epson 1400? I have been using it now for several months and the PQ is (in my opinion) just fantastic with the right paper. Epson premium Lustre prints are gorgeous. It is limited to 13x19 but that is quite large. Claria inks have similar achiving properties as any of their other inks.

If cost savings is the issue then you may want to check one out at a dealer and see the results. This printer sells for $499 and the high capacity cartridges go for around $20.

I have printed at least 1000 prints from 13x19 to 4x6 with no problems and no complaints.

Just an alternative if you are interested.

[Tom Swaman]

MC,

I agree, Epson Premium Luster Paper is wonderful. My second favorite, and I do mean second is Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl and third is Red River's equivalents. Epson Premium Luster is also wonderful onn B&W prints and sepias. Yes, I realize it costs more too.

Tom

[Actionlens]

Well to make you even more confused - read this site for the iPF5000 owners:
http://canonipf5000.wikispaces.com. There is a nice comparison to the Epsons too.....

I went to a couple of demos and this one really got to me. and it is fast! The Epson was slow for my liking and spooling took a long time. I love B&W and couldnt see the "bronzing" on the prints they are talking about.

Just to add to this....One of the printers that was at the demo was the Prograf600 which is a CAD printer......6 ink printer, but only 3 is colour. Did the same photos on that one too and couldnt see the diiffs. Nice thing is it prints to A1....... So it obviuosly got to me why would a 12 ink and 3 ink printer prints look the same without hijacking your thread or getting too technical?

Hope you can make a decision.....

Regaerd
Chris

[Paul Shields]

Actually, I have made a decision. I've decided that wide format is not for me at the moment. I've placed an order for an A3 printer (the HP B9180), which I've got for a great price new and is supposed to be excellent for B&W and good for colour. I think I'll be looking at wide format printers again in a year or two, but for now I'll suffer with A3 prints .