Printers - A3 v A4 - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/13/2005 07:22:08 AM · #1

Am almost set to purchase the Epson R1800 A3 Printer but talking to a fotog today they advised going for the R800 and using a 3rd party for larger prints (Jessops do A3 for Â£5). His argument was that a framed A3 print is often too large for the average room??? and he does not print/sell many A3's with his Epson 1290S.

Any thoughts/ideas? and would you agree the R800/1800 are the best printers to go for??

Thanks (in advance) for any feedback.

Message edited by author 2005-04-13 07:22:27.

cheekymunky

Canon EOS-40D

04/13/2005 07:30:04 AM · #2

I have an Epson 2100 (2200 in the states) and am extremely happy with its A3+ prints. But a friend of mine has an A2 printer (epson 3000 i think) with which he sells prints from his 10d, the prints are exceptional. He has almost made all his money back on his 10d, Lens & printer in 2.5 years, and this a just a hobby!

So I find it strange that his A3 prints arent selling. I guess you have to consider price of what you are selling as well.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

04/13/2005 07:38:06 AM · #3

Thanks CheekyMonkey, I should have mentioned, he actually sells more A2's than A3's hence his reasoning. Personally I'll probably spend the extra Â£Â£Â£'s to have the ability to print A3 if I need to (thinking out aloud has helped)

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

04/13/2005 07:39:08 AM · #4

Maybe it's an issue of getting A3 frames? I've just looked at John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, and I can't find any.

Edit: I assume those A4 printers can cope with 10x8?

Message edited by author 2005-04-13 07:40:34.

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/13/2005 08:26:00 AM · #5

I considered getting a R800 and sticking with outsourcing larger prints, but in the end I figured it was worth the extra money to be able to print larger images myself, and I had the space for a large printer (it does take up quite a bit of room).

Printing the larger prints on the same printer should also keep them more consistent with respect to color profiles.

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

04/13/2005 03:27:02 PM · #6

Txs Paul & Rich, I have the extra Â£Â£Â£'s to get the R1800 over the R800 so think I'll get it so I can print A3 if I want to :)
Anybody have advice on the best paper? should I stick with Epson??

e301

04/13/2005 04:08:26 PM · #7

Andi, you've got live in a really small place for an A3 print to be too big for it. I print with a 1290, and have some toning issues with it, and wouldn't recommend it - actually wouldn't recommend any Epson printers anymore. I might change my mind when I get going with the Lyson small gamut inks though ...

E

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/13/2005 04:18:17 PM · #8

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

I have started off with the Epson Premium Luster and am seeing how it works out. So far so good, but I do not have much to compare to right now with my limited experience. If some R800 owners pipe up, they could probably offer a lot of advice since it's essentially the same printer on a smaller scale.

Node

Nikon D300

04/13/2005 04:55:20 PM · #9

Originally posted by rich:

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Txs Paul & Rich, I have the extra Â£Â£Â£'s to get the R1800 over the R800 so think I'll get it so I can print A3 if I want to :)
Anybody have advice on the best paper? should I stick with Epson??

I have started off with the Epson Premium Luster and am seeing how it works out. So far so good, but I do not have much to compare to right now with my limited experience. If some R800 owners pipe up, they could probably offer a lot of advice since it's essentially the same printer on a smaller scale.

Hey Rich, not sure what you want to know.

I have the Epson R800 and I'm extremly happy with the quality of the prints and the price per print. IMHO it is undetectable that it is not a chemical print and the archiving time in fantastic.

If I had the choice I would now go for the A3 printer as it will essentially have the same cost per A4 print.

BTW what is the cost of the new R1800?