Epson 3800 or 4880?

[pollardd]

I am in the same decision mode. I have chosen to get the 4880 as I believe the technology is slightly better with the new coated heads and vivid magenta inks as well as being better built as a truly pro printer. ...[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Zaharia - apart from the vivid magenta ink and the 16 bit Mac drivers I'm not sure that, technology wise, there is much difference between the 3800 and the 4880.  According to Epson's Professional Imaging web site they both use the same "Advanced MicroPiezo® AMC™ Print Head Technology".  It's discussed here: [a href=\"http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/ProImaging/EpsonInnovations.do?invMoreInfo=EpsonInvAdvancedMicroPiezo&BV]http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Pro...edMicroPiezo&BV[/url] .  It would, however, be interesting to see how much of a difference the "vivid" inks make.

David

[Ken Bennett]

I just voted with my wallet for the 3800. It arrived Friday, and I've been making peace with it all weekend. I feel like a beginner again, with a box of Multigrade 8x10 paper and a couple of quarts of chemistry, standing in front of the enlarger trying to figure out how to make prints. It's been fun!

Why I chose the 3800: The physical size of the 3800 fits better into my current situation. I don't need to use roll paper. I rarely shoot extremely wide panos (most of my personal work uses a Holga). I don't expect the smaller ink carts to cost me a huge amount of extra money, given my printing habits. I got a $200 instant rebate, and the $150 Epson rebate.

Oh, and I've made some very nice b+w prints from 6x6 negs scanned on a flatbed. On 17x22 inch enhanced matte paper, they look terrific.

--Ken

[zaharia]

Zaharia - apart from the vivid magenta ink and the 16 bit Mac drivers I'm not sure that, technology wise, there is much difference between the 3800 and the 4880.  According to Epson's Professional Imaging web site they both use the same "Advanced MicroPiezo® AMC™ Print Head Technology".  It's discussed here: http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Pro...edMicroPiezo&BV .  It would, however, be interesting to see how much of a difference the "vivid" inks make.

David
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=149413\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I believe it has the new coating on the heads to help prevent clogging, which the 3800 doesn't have. It is also just a heavier duty build. Will it make a difference? Perhaps in the long run. I was just listing my reasons for going with the 4880. Cheapest I have seen the 3800 is about $1145 delivered. If you can get those rebates that others have mentioned and get it for around $1000 with $150 worth of paper, then I would consider it as well.