Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: Raw shooter on September 10, 2007, 01:14:57 pm

Title: Epson 7800 - Great deal or dud?
Post by: Raw shooter on September 10, 2007, 01:14:57 pm
I have used the Epson 4000 for years and like the output.  The head cleanings between print jobs is getting on my nerves - not to even add the ink costs and time wasted.  I am just too tired of this hastle to continue.

Anyway, Epson is offering a great deal on a 7800, with lots of free ink and a big rebate.   I know its K3 inks and all.

My question to 7800 users.  Is this a good choice or why is Epson offering this price cut and incentives?
Title: Epson 7800 - Great deal or dud?
Post by: dilip on September 10, 2007, 01:25:28 pm
Quote
My question to 7800 usersIs this a good choice or why is Epson offering this price cut and incentives?
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I can't comment on the quality of the printer, but the reason for the deals is that there are new models rolling out.  I believe that they will have the 7880 soon enough and are trying to clear out their stock.

--dilip
Title: Epson 7800 - Great deal or dud?
Post by: pixtweak on September 10, 2007, 04:43:07 pm
You didn't mention what the actual deal is or place a link to it. I use a 7800 and will continue using it probably for another year. Like everything else in digital photography these days the next new thing is always made out to be a must have upgrade that makes everything else worthless.  HP's new printers were supposedly Epson killers and so on and so forth. The new Epson printers seem to offer some significant improvements, but if you get enough free ink on this deal to make enough prints to pay for  the 7800 and a new 7880 in six months to a year, that might be worth doing. Here is a link regarding the new Epson printers.

http://www.josephholmes.com/news-epson11880.html (http://www.josephholmes.com/news-epson11880.html)
Title: Epson 7800 - Great deal or dud?
Post by: Raw shooter on September 10, 2007, 05:26:37 pm
pixtweak,

Thanks, for the link.  The 7880 seems like a minor upgrade. Vivid Magenta?

The deal is $780 off, with a new order for:
1) $300 in Epson paper  
2) 7800 printer
The paper and printer is $3000.  

I was at Photoshop World last weekend, and the deal then included free ink.  Apparently, that ink deal is now off - as I just received the dealers email regarding the details.  No free ink.

Maybe this deal is no longer that good.

I was wondering about the print quality with the 7800 - relative to the 4000.  Anyone have experience with both of these Epsons?
Title: Epson 7800 - Great deal or dud?
Post by: Brian Gilkes on September 10, 2007, 05:27:16 pm
There is at least one significant addition to last months unofficial Epson printer data in the recent Epson release. Each of the new printers numbers is suffixed by  "standard". I would suggest this has implications giving reason to pause before plunging hand into pocket.
Cheers
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
Title: Epson 7800 - Great deal or dud?
Post by: Wayne Fox on September 10, 2007, 09:42:38 pm
Quote
pixtweak,

Thanks, for the link.  The 7880 seems like a minor upgrade. Vivid Magenta?

The deal is $780 off, with a new order for:
1) $300 in Epson paper 
2) 7800 printer
The paper and printer is $3000. 

I was at Photoshop World last weekend, and the deal then included free ink.  Apparently, that ink deal is now off - as I just received the dealers email regarding the details.  No free ink.

Maybe this deal is no longer that good.

I was wondering about the print quality with the 7800 - relative to the 4000.  Anyone have experience with both of these Epsons?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=138509\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I think the 48/78/98 printers deliver better print quality, but the downside over a 4000 is the PK/MK ink switching.

The 9800 I have seems to be less prone to head clogging than my 4000 was, but it's been a while  so I can't really say.  Even leaving it off for 30 days or more I've found often no cleaning necessary, and when I do, ususally one time through the cycle is enough.

As far as the 4880/7880/9880, there are several other changes that may be significant, but we won't know until they are in the field for a while.  One of them has to do with changes to the head that is supposed to significantly reduce clogging/cleaning. But again, if you switch mk/pk a lot, you'll have an issue.

Guess it depends on your budget.  If you don't need to switch mk/pk often, and especially if you use PK a lot, I think you'll find the 7800 a nice upgrade for you.

Personally I've found the 3800 to be terrific printer.  I rarely use roll paper when printing 17" or smaller, and the output of this printer is stellar.  Ink costs for a switch from matte to photo black are quite low (a dollar or two), so while not perfect far better than the 48/78/9800 printers.