Topic: Epson Sylus ink durability. 4900 (Read 6684 times)

Tuli · « **on:** December 04, 2013, 09:10:20 pm »

1) I am looking into buying an Epson Stylus 4900; the cost of one set of cartridges is around $1,000. I will not be able to use 200ml in 6 months or even a year. How long after installing the cartridge is the ink OK if not completely used, making sure to regularly print tests when not in use, shaking the cartridges... will it hold two years for instance? There is not point getting this printer if I'll have to throw out expensive, unused ink. I must make the decision asap.
Thanks a lot!
.............

2) Does the 4900 have a tendency to have problems?

Rand47 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2013, 09:50:09 pm »

If you don't print often, I would recommend the Epson 3880 as a more cost effective & trouble free alternative.

Rand

Tuli · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2013, 10:51:36 pm »

You are right, but I need the roll for long prints.
Is the 4900 problematic? What problem, if there is one, is common with it?
Do you know whether the ink will be usable after lets say two years?
Thanks
.................................
i have been using the 2400 that stopped feeding the paper, and when you push slightly it pulls it all the way thru and damages the paper. I have been struggling with this a long time. Checking online I realize that this is a common problem with the 2400 even thought it is considered trouble free.
.... by the way, I exhausted all sources, including Epson and can't find HOW MANY ML IT'S CARTRIDGE IS
so that I'll have a base for comparison.

John Caldwell · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2013, 10:38:24 am »

Your problem will be one of head clogs with rare use, not "expiration" of the ink, in my opinion.

John Caldwell

Tuli · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2013, 01:06:11 pm »

I stated clearly that I intend to regularly pint test prints so that the heads will not get clogged.
I still desperately and urgently need an answer regarding the max length of time that the ink doesn't get bad (bad?)
much more than a year (two?)
|Thanks a lot

John Caldwell · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2013, 01:20:13 pm »

This assumes your test prints replicate conditions of regular use. There has been a lot of discussion about this topic, and the topic of 900 series head clogs.

In the end, I don't see how you are going to get anything other than personal testimony from 900 series owners, as OEM inks aren't guaranteed for 2 years. Still then, the conditions of two years in my studio may be different from yours, so knowing how to apply my assurance may be difficult.

My *gut feeling* is that you'll be fine, meaning the prints probably won't change visibly unless there are head clogs that become difficult to clear as the ink ages. But this is purely a guess on my part.

I think you'll be left with the same dilemma with any printer or ink brand.

Good luck with your decision,

John Caldwell

sjgh · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2013, 01:36:55 pm »

Don't think the longevity of the ink is an issue. The real issue whether one is ready to deal with clogs, paying for lots of wasted ink used for cleaning, paying for potential head replacement and/or paying for potential Epson service calls after 2-3 years. Alternatively is one may need to be prepared to pay for ongoing extended warrantee support. Would suggest first doing a google search on 4900 clogs, 4900 lawsuit and then making the call based on all the collective information and the printing habits.

Tuli · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2013, 01:57:50 pm »

Thanks for your response. It sounds that you have experience and great knowledge of the subject. I would appreciate it if you share with me the info that you have regarding the points that you brought up. If I take the time needed for such a thorough research and won't make a decision immediately I will loose the funds and than it would be a mute point. Is it really that problematic? Is the 3880 much better? I do need the ROLL. I can get a new 4900 for $1,145 which isn't more, probably less than the 3880!
...Do you believe that the ink can be useable for two years?
thanks a million.

michael · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2013, 03:56:38 pm »

Don't worry about the ink longevity. Two years is reasonable.

Michael

Tuli · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2013, 04:10:18 pm »

Thanks.
For other printers you can get smaller cartridges!

hugowolf · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2013, 08:05:13 pm »

Really, the ink longevity isn't going to be a problem, unless you have severe climate control problems in your work space. Potential clogging is much more of an issue. I have heard of 3880 users with ink going on four years without a problem (same ink set minus O and G).

Daily nozzle checks aren’t enough to prevent clogging.

Brian A

sjgh · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2013, 08:50:53 pm »

"I can get a new 4900 for $1,145". From what you have described as infrequent printing needs, I predict unless you are willing to pay say another 1.5K or so for extended warrantee that you will have clogs that you will not be able to clear using the normal cleaning cycles. You will have a very nice almost brand-new printer with all the bells and whistles including roll paper handling, $1000 ink in cartridges of which you will probably consume $500 in cleaning cycles, but in the end, a printer that does not print because colors are missing or is severely banding because nozzles are missing. I would stick to the 3880 for a workhorse printer.

Tuli · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2013, 01:18:21 am »

Me: Thank you guys for all the useful however and for opening my eyes! now I am more confused than ever.
So, I gave up on large prints (>17”W), on printing canvas (max width 17”-2”-2” or less, too narrow for canvas), and now give up on rolls/long prints that I need? Giving out to print will not work.

Do I understand correctly that the 4900 is extremely problematic and nobody should consider it but stay away from it? The 3880 has 80ml cartridges but it will cost me the same or more than the 4900. Mark Segal in his review of the 4900 has only praises. What is “the 4900 lawsuit” (Link)?. The only law suit that I found is against Epson’s ink. I was so excited getting the printer, couldn’t wait; this is one big headache!

I read the following forum in DPReview; not surprising there are contradicting opinions.
Epson 4900 Long Term Reliability: www.dpreview.com/forums/post/51587197
Someone suggested that I'll look at the 7800 in order not to be limited in print size and be able to print canvas. the 7900 is too expensive, buying 7800 used isn't a good idea and refurbished is questionable. also, it's huge. In the above forum there is a claim that the 7800 clogging problem is worse than the 4900!

enduser · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2013, 02:07:06 am »

Why not consider a Canon? Never clog, user changeable printheads, ipf 5100 17 inch, roll feed, B & H Photo for $1500.

JRSmit · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2013, 02:18:51 am »

I am an e4900 user and yes experience an occasional clog. I do not print every day but e ery other day do if needed a testprint. I simply love the printer as it is reliable and with excellent print quality.
It uses about 1ml per A4 on average.
The clogging can be an issue if you live in a dry climate. I live in the netherlands with a humidity begween 40-50% thereabouts. When not in use it is under a soft plastic cover which also aids in preventing clogs.

Tuli · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2013, 02:41:16 am »

Thanks a lot JRSmit for the info! How long have you had the printer? How long after getting it did you get clogs and how often? Do you know what was/were the cause(s) (i.e. didn’t print for x # of days…)?
How do you fix it? Can you do it yourself or you need repair?! If it’s needed to print a test print every other day (rather than every other week…) what do you do when you go away for a long time? It’s more problematic than caring for a pet!

Tuli · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2013, 02:44:56 am »

Thanks Enduser. Sounds interesting. $1,579.00 + quite expensive to unpack and put in place (for the 4900 I have it for very little).
All of photographers, art photography, master printers that I know...use Epson. I am familiar with Epson for years and have used it quite a lot. I don't have the energy to start now looking into something completely unfamiliar, to research, learn etc. I don't have the time for it or I'll lose the funds. Thanks anyway. I'll think of it; at this point I can't even think anymore...

Damir · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2013, 08:01:59 am »

As you state "that you know". I also know one printer shop that use only Epson, several with combination of Canon - HP, Epson - Canon, Epson - HP, all profesionall printer shops.
Anyway large format printers are not so different. I started with HP, got an 44" Epson, and needed one day to learn Epson. Now I am prinitng on both of them without any problem. In photography you need to learn new skills every day - if you force yourself to stay with familiar thing you will probably stil shoot on large format films and develop photos in darkroom?

Tuli · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2013, 12:58:42 pm »

your point is that I should us Canon?
I'll never,never use HP! I resent their dishonest absolutely unacceptable practices!!!

JRSmit · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2013, 02:54:12 pm »

If hot and dry i would do a test print say 2x a week. If normal temp and humidity i sometimes do not print for more than a week, then testprint and in most cases without an issue. If i wait for 2-3 weeks i first do a testprint then nozzle clean and then all is ok. The plastic cover does help. The clogging is not age related. I have the printer 2 years now.

Author Topic: Epson Sylus ink durability. 4900 (Read 6684 times)