(I wasn't sure where to post this. I posted in the 'beginner' forum too. Kinda new to printing digital photos. Need a printer. Not sure where to jump in. And it seems like down the road I may need two printers to satisfy my b&w and color needs.)
I want to buy a printer. I love b&w and color printing.
I'm thinking R2880 because I don't do much printing now, can't justify expense of the 3880. But I've read about how it mixes color into the b&w prints it does and that the color fades at different rates than the black inks over time. I'm not sure if this is true in the ABW mode of printing.
I also like the idea of buying an epson 1400 and then using a carbon based b&w pigment solution from places like MIS or Jon Cone.
So, I can't afford both now. I'm thinking maybe the R2880 now to satisfy both color and b&w printing and maybe down the road, when budget allows, set up a b&w only solution. But I just want to be sure I won't be too disappointed now with the b&w print quality. I've read about how good the color printing is, though maybe more expensive because of the small ink cartridges. I just don't do enough printing right now to justify the 3880. I wonder why epson won't provide a 2880 with slightly larger cartridges? Only 11ml from what I understand compared to 80 in the 3880.
also, I think my max print size would be 12x12 inches...in that area...
I'd like to print on a semi-gloss type of paper. Kind of looking for detail in the prints without going full gloss. I've also been playing with an old epson 1270 and matte papers and the MIS b&w inks (black and grays) and like that a lot too but this old printer is just not giving good quality prints. I can see patterns off the printer, (lines,etc.)
Ok, that's my story. Thanks for any experience you can share. I guess I need some knowledge to help me make a jump one way or the other at this point. R2880 for color and maybe a compromise in b&w prints, or the 1400 for black and gray pigments and some suffering on my part, because I also love to work with color...
thanks...