Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: 360NikonD300 on September 25, 2008, 03:26:24 pm

Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: 360NikonD300 on September 25, 2008, 03:26:24 pm
The Epson 17" printers have been out there for quite a while now. I've been thinking of upgrading my 2200. I hate to do it just before Epson releases a new printer! Has anyone heard any rumors about an updated printer coming out any time soon? And what's with this Epson Ultrachrome HDR ink?
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: jcote on September 25, 2008, 08:49:47 pm
Production versions of the new 79/9900 Epson will be shown at Graph Expo in Chicago at the end of October. I believe they will be available in the US shortly after that. With a ten channel head and 11 colors of ink on board, including the switchable matte/gloss black, the graphics industry will embrace this new printer as a proofer. Graphics companies are one of Epson's biggest markets and they need the extended gamut that the new inks will allow, to simulate the spot colors used in commercial printing. It is very difficult for the old Epsons to duplicate some corporate and spot colors like Home Depot Orange etc. On an offset printing press or silk screen press you can print 4 color process for the contone images and add exact spot colors when CMYK will not build them closely enough.

These machines will make wonderful photographic printers also for a couple of reasons. First because finally Epson's large printers will have the ability to print on both coated and uncoated papers without physically switching out a black cart. Second, the extended gamut will be nice for some hard to get natural colors in photos. I think a good RIP will be necessary to take full advantage of these printers.

I don't think Epson has announced any printers with this head and ink configuration smaller than the 7900 (I could be wrong).

Epson's 3800 (17 inches) already has both matte and gloss inks on-board and is a fantastic little printer for anyone who does not need to use roll stock. I have had the 3800 as my home printer since the late November almost 2 years ago. I have yet to have a clogged head or any real trouble with it. In my opinion it prints so close to as well as any printer on the market that you would be hard pressed to tell any difference.

As a disclaimer, I will say that I have done work for Epson and I am probably a little bit biased.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: marty m on September 25, 2008, 10:22:37 pm
Quote
As a disclaimer, I will say that I have done work for Epson and I am probably a little bit biased.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=224437\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
A great report.  And your disclaimer is both refreshing and honest,  and you are to be commended for that.

What will the two versions cost without the separate profiling unit, and how much will that unit add to the cost?
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Schewe on September 25, 2008, 10:36:20 pm
Quote
These machines will make wonderful photographic printers also for a couple of reasons. First because finally Epson's large printers will have the ability to print on both coated and uncoated papers without physically switching out a black cart. Second, the extended gamut will be nice for some hard to get natural colors in photos. I think a good RIP will be necessary to take full advantage of these printers.
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You're right to say they make very good photo printers...but wrong about the RIP being needed to take advantage of them (unless you have odd workflow requirements other than single fine-art printing). The Epson drivers will drive the printers just fine & dandy and with really accurate profiles (the gamut is indeed huge) you will get better gamut and D-max out of the 79/9900 than any other inkjet printer I'm aware of (at the moment-it's yet to be seen exactly what HP's recently announced printer will fit).

As far as I know, there are no upcoming announcements regarding ANY Ultrachrome HDR printers any smaller than 24" because the print heads are so big (and expensive) and won't be put into 17" carriage printers any time real soon. So, if you need a 17" printer now, there's no reason to wait. Next year? who knows...

And while the NDA status of the 79/9900 printer is sorta vague (it's due to be officially announced in the US around Graph Expo but was announced world-wide at Drupa in May), I've been told by Epson that I can say I have a 7900 beta unit and that I'm using it. It's a big heavy mother (much heavier than the 7880) and that the gamut and D-max is very large...and it prints really nice...and very fast. But I've not yet had time to make a bunch of profiles and I've really only printed on Premium Luster so far.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: marty m on September 26, 2008, 01:09:23 am
Quote
You're right to say they make very good photo printers...but wrong about the RIP being needed to take advantage of them (unless you have odd workflow requirements other than single fine-art printing).  I can say I have a 7900 beta unit and that I'm using it. It's a big heavy mother (much heavier than the 7880) and that the gamut and D-max is very large...and it prints really nice...and very fast. But I've not yet had time to make a bunch of profiles and I've really only printed on Premium Luster so far.
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Jeff, how does the profiling unit work that attaches to the front?  How easy to take on and off?  What software drives it?  Do you like it?  Any idea what it adds to the cost?

Does the Epson driver for these units work like the driver for other units?  (I am only familiar with the driver for the 4000.)  Where it only provides the names of Epson papers, and you have to guess what means, and pick one of those for a non-Epson paper?  

That is one thing HP did right with the Z series, by providing generic paper types and names when using such a paper, and excellent documents that explain all of the technical attributes of those drivers for generic papers, such as paper height, ink loading, etc.  With HP you can also select less, standard or more ink or tell the driver that you using a thick paper to avoid head strikes.  The HP approach is far superior to the Epson 4000 approach where it only provided Epson paper names, and absolutely no information as to what those even meant with regards to carriage head height, paper loading, ink loading, etc.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Schewe on September 26, 2008, 02:38:44 am
Quote
Jeff, how does the profiling unit work that attaches to the front?  How easy to take on and off?  What software drives it?  Do you like it?  Any idea what it adds to the cost?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=224494\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The spectro unit is really only designed for print shops that need to do proofing. The spectro can do easy targets to linearize the printer and process control...but the photo industry isn't where the spectro is aimed at. Most photographers wouldn't want it because it's expensive (compared to an iOne or other table top unit) can only really work on the size unit you've got (there's two spectro units, one for the 24" and one for the 44") and while easy to put on and take off, even Epson won't be recommending the unit for people outside the proofing industry (oh, they'll sell ya one but it's really designed to work with rips not straight photo printing). Epson doesn't really NEED to worry about trying to sell spectros because the unit to unit variation is so low and the printers are easy to profile with traditional units. The printing industry needs process control and the 79/9900 printers with the spectros are a drop in the bucket for for that industry.

As for the rest, yes, obviously the media settings are designed and set based on the Epson papers. Sure there's some experimentation involved with trying different media settings for 3rd party papers.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: geotzo on September 26, 2008, 03:19:48 am
I just hope they come up with a replacement of the current 17", that will hold matt and gloss black at the same time. I have the 4800 a few years now and have to admit it works like charm, but the black switching process is a real pain in terms of cost and time. I have also tried the 3800 which a great "little" A2 printer but the black switching on board is not great either, cause it still wastes ink. Why don't they do it like Canon and Hp? They both have released printers with that characteristic, a couple of years now. I just don't understand it as Epson is supposed to lead the way on inkjet technology.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on September 26, 2008, 03:32:35 am
Quote
The Epson 17" printers have been out there for quite a while now. I've been thinking of upgrading my 2200. I hate to do it just before Epson releases a new printer! Has anyone heard any rumors about an updated printer coming out any time soon? And what's with this Epson Ultrachrome HDR ink?
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=224339\")

No new Epson models in that segment on the Photokina 2008.

Epson had the ecosolvent wide format GS6000, the 11880, the 7900, the 9900 and the 3800 on their booth and some less recent models. In fact nothing new since the Drupa in May.

They are busy in other segments of the industry, little of that was shown on the Photokina but the dry mini labs of Fuji and Norita and Epson pro inkjet office models with huge carts that print cheaper pages than laser printers, etc.

Next to the Z3200 24"and 44" Hp had no 17"model (yet). Canon's program isn't changed much either so the 17" iPF5100 was still there + a new 24" iPF6200 that only differs in having a harddisc aboard if compared to the iPF6100.

Little news on inkjets in the wide formats. A lot of news on photobook production with all kinds of printing and binding technologies. Web interfaces, dry minilabs, production software.

On Epson 7900/9900 Dmax, I have yet to see prints that beat the Z3100/Z3200 significantly on Dmax in B&W printing.



Ernst Dinkla

Try: [a href=\"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/[/url]
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: jcote on September 26, 2008, 07:41:01 am
Quote
You're right to say they make very good photo printers...but wrong about the RIP being needed to take advantage of them (unless you have odd workflow requirements other than single fine-art printing). The Epson drivers will drive the printers just fine & dandy and with really accurate profiles (the gamut is indeed huge) you will get better gamut and D-max out of the 79/9900 than any other inkjet printer I'm aware of (at the moment-it's yet to be seen exactly what HP's recently announced printer will fit).
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Jeff,

I am glad to hear of your experience with the new printer and its new drivers. If Epson has truly developed drivers that give a fine art photographer a way to take full advantage of the new gamut extending colors they will have really done something. I don't doubt that it could possibly be done, but I guess I will wait and see.

Though my direct dealings with Epson have been as a photographer, most of my dealings with Epson printers have been in using them as graphics proofers. Chances are I will never get to deal with an Epson 9900 without a big RIP in front of it so I will have to rely on others to make judgments about the drivers.

As far as the issue of Gamut and D-Max I have no doubt that you are right. I think that, even without the gamut extending (hi-fi) colors the Epson 11880 probably prints as well and with as much smoothness, gamut and usable D-Max as any printer I have seen and quite frankly, I don't think my little home 3800 is far behind.

Best,
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: martinog on September 26, 2008, 07:49:36 am
Jeff,

Thanks for all this info. I will be buying either the 7880 or the 7900 shortly but it depends on the overall size of the 7900 as my space is restricted. Do you have the front to back measurement of the 7900 without the stand, ie printer only?

Many thanks

Martin
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: jcote on September 26, 2008, 08:21:31 am
Quote
A great report.  And your disclaimer is both refreshing and honest,  and you are to be commended for that.

What will the two versions cost without the separate profiling unit, and how much will that unit add to the cost?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=224461\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks Marty,

No sense in saying that I am not biased. I like to think I am biased for objective reasons but I am sure every biased person feels the same way.

As far as pricing is concerned, I am the wrong dude. Maybe Jody at Roberts' Imaging or some other dealer has the price list by now.

Best,
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: digitaldog on September 26, 2008, 10:21:55 am
Quote
Epson's 3800 (17 inches) already has both matte and gloss inks on-board and is a fantastic little printer for anyone who does not need to use roll stock. I have had the 3800 as my home printer since the late November almost 2 years ago. I have yet to have a clogged head or any real trouble with it.

Same opinion and experience here. I have a 4800 and 7880, but for really cranking out prints that the 3800 handles, I prefer it (for one, its quiet). Its been rock solid. Well, I did have a little piece of plastic on the door itself break off and I'm trying to get a replacement. Otherwise, its an amazingly good printer for its price point. No clogs.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: abiggs on September 26, 2008, 10:22:16 am
Quote
These machines will make wonderful photographic printers also for a couple of reasons. First because finally Epson's large printers will have the ability to print on both coated and uncoated papers without physically switching out a black cart....
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=224437\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I suspect you mean that both matte and glossy papers are both coated, as inkjet printing does benefit from coated papers on matte surfaces. I can only think of a few uncoated matte papers, and none of them have ever been good at producing wide color gamuts or sharp enough results to satisfy most users.

I am glad to see that there are some beta units out there and that we might see them here in the USA at some point!
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Schewe on September 26, 2008, 02:33:46 pm
Quote
Do you have the front to back measurement of the 7900 without the stand, ie printer only?
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It ain't tiny...

Without the base;
Length about 53.5"
Depth about 24.5"
Height about 26.5"
(27" more or less if you count the rubber feet on the base–which can slide into a tabletop)

And this thing is built heavy. Since they went to 360 nozzles/inch the head track is much beefier (which is why I don't see the head design fitting into a small carriage printer any time real soon)
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Tim Gray on September 26, 2008, 02:59:19 pm
I "need" roll paper in a 17" form factor as well as sheets.  I presume that at some point over the next year (I hope) the next iteration - 4980? -  will appear and I'll buy that unless the size of the unit expands significantly.  Until then I'll keep feeding ink into my 4000.  
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: martinog on September 26, 2008, 04:02:37 pm
Jeff,

Many thanks.

As I have to negotiate it thorough narrow doors at an angle it won't fit.

So at least I can make use of the good offer price here in Spain for the 7880 that ends Tuesday.

Regards

Martin
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Schewe on September 26, 2008, 05:05:36 pm
Quote
I presume that at some point over the next year (I hope) the next iteration - 4980? -  will appear...
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Well, as I said, the actual size of the new heads may preclude them from EVER being put into a 17" carriage. I don't doubt that some time the 4880 will get some sort of update, but the 79/9900 printers are a breed apart. You realize Epson is going to continue to sell the 78/9880's well after the 79/9900s come out, right?
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Doombrain on September 26, 2008, 05:42:38 pm
the TFP head's no bigger than the F8 head, in fact it's smaller. there's no reason it can't be used in a 17" unit.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: JimGoshorn on September 26, 2008, 06:31:46 pm
Thanks for the report Jeff.

As to the increase in gamut, what areas are showing the increase? Are the reds improved? I ask because I got print samples from Epson for the X880 series printers and there was a print of a Ferrari and the reds still looked a bit towards the orange side.

Thanks!
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Brian Gilkes on September 26, 2008, 10:34:34 pm
Quote from: abiggs,Sep 26 2008, 02:22 PM
"I suspect you mean that both matte and glossy papers are both coated, as inkjet printing does benefit from coated papers on matte surfaces. I can only think of a few uncoated matte papers, and none of them have ever been good at producing wide color gamuts or sharp enough results to satisfy most users."

There are hundreds of uncoated papers.
Gamut is certainly compromised but sharp images are possible with heavily sized paper.
I am currently using Somerset White Book and Zerkall papers . On both text is quite  sharp.
You can , of course coat your own papers . This significantly improves DMax and gamut, but not up to , say, Canson standards. All the same if you want 4 true deckle edges and the random grain of handmade papers, then that is the way to go.
Just so I'm not completely off topic I do this on a 9800, but expect  considerable improvements with the 9900. The greens and reds should be much better as they are on the Roland Hi Fi with orange and green inks. The 3 black inks should take the 900 series closer to the Roland D'Vinci.
Hopefully someone will do the tests and report soon.
Cheers,
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: free1000 on September 27, 2008, 05:26:08 am
I'd like to get a 3800, but I too hate buying just before a major upgrade is released. I managed to buy a 4000 about 1 month before the announcement of the 4800 and I was well unhappy.

The current deals on the 3800 make me suspicious that the product is being cycled... but there are no rumours that are solid.

£1169 RRP being sold for £700. Hard to resist at this price.

http://www.icg-online.co.uk/epson-stylus-p...rinter-i12.html (http://www.icg-online.co.uk/epson-stylus-pro-3800-a2-inkjet-printer-i12.html)

I really don't mind if Epson release a minor upgrade if I am happy with what I'm buying, but the 4000 to 4800 was a big jump in quality and I'd hate it if the 3800 got upcycled to a 3900 within weeks of a purchase.

OTOH,  £700 is almost 'consumable' prices.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Bob Casner on September 27, 2008, 08:27:02 pm
I read through the web site for the new events at www.epsonprintacademy.com and found that under the "Giveaways" page the Epson 7900 that some lucky winner will receive is valued at $3995 US. I don't know if this is "new news" but this is the first I've personally seen a price for this.
I've been to every Epson Print Academy since the first one, by the way, and think it's money well spent - I believe everyone who posts here would want to opt for the "Track Two" program if interested.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: budjames on September 28, 2008, 06:13:54 am
I currently print to an Epson R2400.  With my new Canon 1Ds MkIII, I'm anxious to try printing to sizes larger than 11x14, the largest standard size that the R2400 can handle.

I was hoping for a replacement for the Epson 3800 since every other pro model has been replaced with the new K3 w/vivid magenta ink set. I would buy the 3880 (or whatever it will be named) if the matte and photo black ink switching on the fly would work well to reduce wasted ink. Switching cartridges on my R2400 is a bit of a pain and wasteful too.

I'm a photo hobbyist. As a result, I only make a dozen or so large prints per month. Would that low of a volume create problems for a 3800 size printer? Any experiences out there worth sharing?

Thanks.

Bud James
North Wales
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on September 28, 2008, 06:31:54 am
Quote
I read through the web site for the new events at www.epsonprintacademy.com and found that under the "Giveaways" page the Epson 7900 that some lucky winner will receive is valued at $3995 US. I don't know if this is "new news" but this is the first I've personally seen a price for this.
I've been to every Epson Print Academy since the first one, by the way, and think it's money well spent - I believe everyone who posts here would want to opt for the "Track Two" program if interested.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=225063\")

Seems low to me. We got a quote of 6900 Euro without VAT for a 9900 without spectro unit. I'm sure Epson will anticipate on the US economy forecast for the next years but not to that degree, the 7880 remains in the catalog and should be the cheaper 24".


Ernst Dinkla

Try: [a href=\"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/[/url]
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Brian Gilkes on September 28, 2008, 07:54:20 pm
For 9900-without spectro. -price being quoted now in Australia, list at $11,990 AUD ie around 14,000 USD, plus our local GST of 10%. Available (hopefully) November
Cheers
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: mike_botelho on September 28, 2008, 09:56:21 pm
Quote
For 9900-without spectro. -price being quoted now in Australia, list at $11,990 AUD ie around 14,000 USD, plus our local GST of 10%. Available (hopefully) November
Cheers
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=225346\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


First off, you've converted the currency in the wrong direction.  $11,990 US would convert to over $14,000 Australian.  $11,990 Australian converts to just under $9,700 US.  Secondly, MSRPs aren't usually based on straight currency conversions.  For example, the price of the 9880, when converted from AUD to USD, comes out to about $6,500 USD, and the 9880 sells for a MSRP of $5000 in the US.  If the price of the 9900 is indeed $11,900 AUS, then, if based on the formula suggested by the price of the 9880 in both countries, a $7,500 USD price tag could be inferred.  Of course, this is total speculation, but, if the MSRP of the 7900 is going to be $3995 without spectro, then I could see the 9900 being $6995 or $7995.  Not that I feel that this will be a competitive price, with the 44" 12-ink iPF8100 selling for not much more than $3000, but that remains to be seen.  I'm not sure how Epson will justify the price, given that 12-inks have become the standard and they are merely catching up rather than establishing a new standard.  Still, if they've licked the clogging problems and exceeded Canon and HP in gamut, the x900 printers may well be the new benchmark.  How many would opt to pay $2000 or $3000 more than for a 9880, I'm not sure.  Though I must admit that I may be one that will.  Of course, I'd rather the x900 series replace the x880 series and the new  technology be introduced at the $5000 price point, but I sure it all depends on what Epson feels they can get away with.

Mike
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: jule on September 29, 2008, 01:47:29 am
List price in Australia - without Spectro - $11,995 AUD plus GST which is 10%;  and with Spectro $13,495 AUD plus 10% GST. Brian was correct with the AUD , Australian price, but did the conversion backwards to US.

Julie
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Brian Gilkes on September 29, 2008, 11:52:15 pm
Thanks Mike and Julie for the correction. As I said to a few people yesterday, it was one of those days..
Mike's analysis seem pretty spot on. I was not going to guess the US price , just trying (erroneously) to put the Au price in a more widely known currency. What happens with currencies in the next few months is anyone's guess.
I think Epson will sell the 900 series unless it can be shown thermal heads can now equal the quality and stability of piezo heads.
12 colour inksets have been out for years on Colorspan , Roland etc, but Epson has been pretty good on gamut and DMax, if not fantastic. The linearity of 800+ inksets has been particularly impressive and as I understand it superior to Canon. The vacuum system on Epsons is particularly useful for some stocks  and HP has had problems with marks on gloss. Perhaps the new number will sort it out but maybe not..HP inks last well and their blacks are good.
Epson certainly deserved a stir on clogging, ink changing and residual ink. It remains to be seen if they have gone far enough.
Cheers,
Brian
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Schewe on September 30, 2008, 02:24:48 am
Quote
It remains to be seen if they have gone far enough.
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Oh, they've gone pretty darn far...

:~)
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: narikin on October 01, 2008, 10:00:25 pm
Quote
Oh, they've gone pretty darn far...
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=225693\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

any comments on the x900 gamut compared to an x880, Jeff?
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: BruceHouston on October 01, 2008, 11:30:51 pm
Quote
Oh, they've gone pretty darn far...

:~)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=225693\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Care to elaborate, Jeff?  I am very interested in this topic, as I am sure that others are too.

Thanks,
Bruce
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Brian Gilkes on October 02, 2008, 09:18:32 pm
Jeff maybe under NDA, but I'd  expect the gamut, DMax, linearity and other info (eg ink left in carts, highlight smoothness, dot pattern etc) to be coming pretty soon. The 900s are due for sale here in Oz in November. Knowing Epson it could be one unit/dealer but we'll see.
On the tech details I'd expect something to be brewing with Joe Holmes.
Just guessing I'd say the spectral characteristics will be similar to the Roland D'Vinci.
- and that's pretty good..
The pennies are going into a tin
Cheers,
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: narikin on October 05, 2008, 12:16:01 am
Quote from: Brian Gilkes
Jeff maybe under NDA, but I'd  expect the gamut, DMax, linearity and other info (eg ink left in carts, highlight smoothness, dot pattern etc) to be coming pretty soon. The 900s are due for sale here in Oz in November. Knowing Epson it could be one unit/dealer but we'll see.
On the tech details I'd expect something to be brewing with Joe Holmes.
Just guessing I'd say the spectral characteristics will be similar to the Roland D'Vinci.
- and that's pretty good..
Yeaasss...  I think Epson are in a bind here:
their top of the range machine - the 11880 - has the 'old' inkset of 8 colors, but the new (cheaper) 9900's have the new 10 color inkset.
so...  if they trumpet too loudly the new inks and their expanded gamut, then nobody in their right mind will spend substantially more $ on the 11880 when they can get better images on cheaper x900 machines.

Unless you got to have 64" width, it's going to be a tough sell on the 11880 from here-on out.
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: Brian Gilkes on October 05, 2008, 06:12:38 am
The 11880 is a very good machine. It is also 60" c.f. the biggest 900 at 44".
I was within a few minutes of buying a 11880 when I heard about the 900 printers, and pulled the plug.
There is no word of a 11900, and may not be for some time as the 900s have their main market in proofing; 60" is too big for most proofing requirements.
Epson is saying they will continue with the 7880 and 9800 when the 900s are out but I don't think that will be for long.
Just the ink saving on the matte>photo> matte change will be enough to  move people to the 900s. As for 60" printers I reckon most people will wait if they can.

Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
Title: Epson Printer Rumors?
Post by: thunter on October 05, 2008, 08:00:04 am

Yes I too am enjoying the 3800 as a first movement into larger format and enjoying the minimal clogs compared to the 1290 i've had for years.

But it is very, very annoying that if you do not carefully check which paper you were using last (e.g. matte paper) and you happen to choose a glossy one for a quick photo, the machine immediately goes into "changing ink cartridges" and you cannot stop it!

Epson surely should have given a warning that you are about to waste ink and time if you choose this option and should let you choose no at this point.

Boy do those black  ink cartridges go down quickly when you keep forgetting to do a simple check. This is a result of having to get use to a printer with cartridge changes needed compared to others. This is less  a problem using the manual cartridge changing on the 4000-9000 series at least I presume.

Epson is not giving up it's massive customer waste ink consumption bonus that quickly!