Epson 1800 vs. 2400 - quality falloff

[bourboncowboy]

I'm considering purchasing an Epson photo printer. After extensive research,

I've narrowed my choices down to the Epson R1800 and the R2400. Apparently,

these printers seem geared for two completely different types of photo

printing - the 1800 seems to excel with color glossy, while the 2400 excels

with B&W. This creates some confusion for me, as my photography is split

between color and B&W. So, with this in mind, I pose a question to those of

you who have more knowledge of the subject. Which printer displays the most

significant quality falloff between its strength (color/BW) and it's weakness

(also color/BW).

[david_deratzian]

What the 1800 does is use an ink with a gloss coating in it to give the additional glossy look. I have the 2400, if if you use the Premium Glossy paper, it is only slightly less glossy than the 1800. The 2400 is hand down better at b/W.

[godfrey]

Both printers make excellent color prints.

 

The distinction between the two printers is that the R1800 makes a somewhat better glossy

print and the R2400 prints B&W far better due to the K3 inkset. Also the R2400's ink

cartridges hold a bit more ink.

 

if you print a lot of B&W, you want the R2400.

 

Godfrey

[peter_lawrence]

If you were planning to print any significant amount of B&W photos, then the R2400 would

be the better choice. While the R1800 will produce slightly better glossy color prints, the

R2400 color prints are excellent too, and the R1800 won't produce nearly as good B&W

prints as the R2400.

[awindsor]

The R1800 has the gloss optimizer to eliminate gloss differential. The gloss differential is only really visible when viewing the print from the side and does not affect the quality of the print when viewed normally.

 

Actually almost all of my printing is matte where this is a non-issue. If you switch between gloss and matte often then the R2400 is annoying since you have to switch inks.

 

As others have said if you do any amount of B&W printing then the R2400 is for you.

[david_skirmont]

I struggled with this same question.

 

I was very concerned about the color performance of the 2400

especially after having a 2000P. Yuck!

 

I downloaded the profiles for both the 2400 and 1800 and used

PS to look at what is out of gamut. I couldn't find anything that

I printed before that had gamut issues. The 2000P had them in spades.

 

I got the 2400 and have been totally impressed. The results are great.