Picked up an Epson 1800

[Nikonfreak]

What a beautiful printer that provides some incredible images. I had an Epson R200 that I was using for 4X6 prints and proof sheets. I'm seeing colors that really come alive much more so than the R200.

Great unit.

One thing not covered in the manual....

Mac users leave the default setting on Gamma. PC users change the gamma setting to 2.2

Otherwise you're print colors will look off. Wish it hadn't have taken me half a print cartridge to find that out.

LOL

Julio

www.pbase.com/loansharkx

[JDArt]

How is this different from the r2400, which I have?

[Nikonfreak]

Should be very similar.

My buddy has the 2400... you know, I'm going to send him a file to print and I'll print it on my 1800 and see what the difference looks like, if any.

The 2400 uses the K3 inks does it not? My 1800 does not use the K3 inks. Now you've got me curious as to how it looks comparatively. Hmm...

Julio

www.pbase.com/loansharkx

[Michele]

I would like to hear about the results in comparison between the two.. Thank you for sharing your new purchase with us.. Good luck!!

[Mr. Pickles]

It been a couple hours. You got them results back yet?

[Nikonfreak]

Heck, my buddy isn't even home yet.

I emailed him the file though... he can't email me a print!

LOL

Julio

[Mr. Pickles]

Email stinks for that reason

[Nikonfreak]

Well, we tried, but pulled a big DOH....

He's got Ilford smooth pearl paper and I have the Espon Premium Glossy...

Hello! We need same paper results!

So we gotta do it again.

By the way, the Ilford Smooth Pearl (Red Box) is really SWEET!

But let's not taint the results toward the 2400 just yet.

Julio

[Mr. Pickles]

Doesn't it stink when you get something new, like your printer, and you talk and show it to your buddy for comparisons, because people say you got a slightly inferior printer to the one he has, and he pulls out better paper too?

[Nikonfreak]

We were going to try to do it again today but the wife had a long list of "Honey do" stuff.

That's the worst.

But anyway, I think perhaps a close second is when a buddy calls you to fill you in on a good deal and you're saving up for something else...just to get you to spend money.

Julio

[Nikonfreak]

Ok boys and girls. The Epson 2400 eeks out the 1800. No doubt about it. Colors are a bit richer in the 2400, but I believe it's because the yellow on the D200 is ... well... it's hard to explain in one of two images... it seems not quite as yellow as it should be...(color shift a bit?) Could be software though or it could be the new inks in the 2400. Hard to say and I'm no printer expert.

Both printers are pretty impressive and both can print the same size images. Features are very similar on both.

If you are a black and white afficionado, the 2400 is supposed to be fantastic from what I understand.

Did I mention the Gamma thing? It's not in the manual, but if you have a MAC, set the Gamma to 1.8 on the 1800. If you have a PC, set it to 2.2 or your shots will definitely have color problems.

Another thing, depending on what aftermarket papers you use, you might need to download some new profiles and install them into the 1800's profile directory. I downloaded the Ilford smooth pearl profile. That's some sweet paper. I can see me using it for portraits.

Sorry to say my printer came up a tad short, but no harm no foul.

Julio

[Mr. Pickles]

So printed the same image on both? And on the same paper? If so, one would think there wouldn't be a color shift in software, as they ought to use the same, but maybe not. My guess would be the inks.

Still, no reason at all it seems to discount the 1800, right? A very fine printer, until compared to a much higher priced model.

[Nikonfreak]

Oh absolutely. Even given the very basic test we did here, I would still buy the 1800.

It's a fantastic printer.

Julio

[rpcrowe]

I have discussed the choice between the Epson 1800 and the 2400 with some "experts" who have owned either or both of these printers and with some "not-so-expert" persons who have also some experience with one or both of these printers.

The gist of the feedback has been that the color capabilities of the two printers are very close in quality but, that the 2400 wins hands down in the printing of B&W images. Since I do not print B&W on any consistant basis, I believe I will choose the 1800.

My present printer (HP Photosmart 7960) does a fair to middling job with some papers and a downright lousy job on other papers. Of course, there is no way I know of to modify this printer for the various papers.

I need a non-glossy surface paper that gives me crisp whites (much of my photography is of white Maltese dogs which I raise) and generally good color and true blacks (since I often use black velvet as a background). My 7960 does a pretty good job with some glossy papers but, I have yet to find a non glossy surface that can produce a really crisp print from this printer. I have used HP, Epson and papers manufactured by other companies. Some of the better prints on non-glossy surfaces have been gained on the various Legion Professional Digital Art papers. Their Somerset Photo Enhanced Velvet, Somerset Photo Enhanced Textured, and Legion Photo Silk papers have a brilliant white surface that seems to make the best prints of images of my white dogs.

Are there any generic problems with the Epson 1800 that I should be aware of?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by rpcrowe

I need a non-glossy surface paper that gives me crisp whites (much of my photography is of white Maltese dogs which I raise) and generally good color and true blacks (since I often use black velvet as a background). My 7960 does a pretty good job with some glossy papers but, I have yet to find a non glossy surface that can produce a really crisp print from this printer. I have used HP, Epson and papers manufactured by other companies. Some of the better prints on non-glossy surfaces have been gained on the various Legion Professional Digital Art papers. Their Somerset Photo Enhanced Velvet, Somerset Photo Enhanced Textured, and Legion Photo Silk papers have a brilliant white surface that seems to make the best prints of images of my white dogs.

Like you I currently use the 7960. I got it for it's B&W capabilities (using the grey inks) and it does a good job on the expensive HP paper. I'm pretty sure the R2400 would be a significant improvement, though I must resist. I think papers are a big thing on this, and I wish I could try out some of the more interesting ones that you listed. Don't seem to have them easily at hand over here though...

[rpcrowe]

I have found a glossy paper that is very inexpensive yet, gives good color prints with my 7960. Fryes Electronics which I believe is a nation wide chain sells this and usually has it for a loss leader at 99 cents per 20 8.5 x 11" sheets. Not a distinctive name: "Professional Quality Glossy Photo Paper For High Resolution Inkjet Printers" PLU # 2687282 and SKU # 77445 70030.

I am lucky enough to live clopse enough to Fryes in San Marcos, CA that it is easy for me to drop by and purchase a pack every time it is on sale (usually every couple of weeks). They limit to one pack per purchase.

I have not tried this with B&W but, it works great on color. I am selling dog portraits printed on this paper.