canfred Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 To all here who whish to go down this road. I just unpacked my new Epson 3800. Installation is simple and quite quick since the software on CD takes over for you.Once the paper was loaded and the settings applied the first six prints where in my hand , this printer can take 6x4 sheets and I used Epson Premium glossy. My monitor is calibrated and all prints are spot on matching the color. A word of warning the printers construction is a little on the light side, so much so the front door of the print tray already has a broken latch. It did not line up correctly and broke pushing it shut. I just hope someone at Epson reads this it should be modified. For the record the dedicated table the printer stands on is made from alloy and has been set up with a machine level to less than two mm over one meter. One more point to make changing media will automaticly make the driver dump black some is wasted. This I found when I changed from glossy to Archival matte. I would like to hear from anyone using the 3800, any experience you have would be of interest.Thank you. Cheers Manfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg lockrey Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Love mine. Using some ink while changing is a small price to pay for convenience. B&W printing is very good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_ellis19 Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 "A word of warning the printers construction is a little on the light side, so much so the front door of the print tray already has a broken latch. It did not line up correctly and broke pushing it shut" I agree the front door isn't the the sturdiest but I haven't had any real problems with it and nothing has broken in about four months of moderate to heavy use. I think you just have to be careful when closing it and not try to quickly jam it back into the printer. I've been very pleased with this printer. I have had no problems at all. While some ink is used when switching back and forth between MK to PK at least the switch is done automatically by the printer and you don't have to physically take one cartridge out and put the other in as you had to do with the 2200. Advanced Black and White mode seems very good, so much so that I haven't found a need to download the RIP I used with the 2200 when making b&w prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_steranko Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Manfred, Could I ask why you went with the 3800 rather than the 2400? My 2000p needs replacing and I was looking at these two as options. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_dolde Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Don't even consider an R2400. The tiny ink carts will drive you crazy as they always seem to be empty. I trade up to a 3800...bigger prints and bigger ink carts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canfred Posted June 14, 2007 Author Share Posted June 14, 2007 Thank you for your imput , Jim larger ink containers plus printing up to A2 is a bonus besides it is a more up to date model.Brian I am happy to hear your 3800 is without problems , you are propably right the auto black change is a good thing. I was just surprised as this was unexpected.As to the broken latch on the front door I do think it was a faulty part, somehow the plasic toungue seems incomplete. I will not go back to Epson and just replace it with an alloy part. Again worth noting is the surprising quality of the printing far better than expected Profiles work no need to tweek color is awesome and details are exceptional. Cheers Manfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot_n Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 The 3800 is a great printer, but as you say the latch on the front tray is very poorly designed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_schwaller Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 "...A word of warning the printers construction is a little on the light side, so much so the front door of the print tray already has a broken latch. It did not line up correctly and broke pushing it shut. I just hope someone at Epson reads this it should be modified..." Call Epson. They will send you out a little kit to fix it. Takes 5 min. with a needle nose plier and a mini flashlight(to see what yer doing). John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canfred Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Thank you Elliot I for one agree with you on this. John my special thanks to you I will take this up with Epson Australia. Looking at it repair would possible just replacing the broken tab with an alloy plate glued on , but the Epson kit seems the go. Cheers Manfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg lockrey Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I am curious as how you broke this latch. Did you push on the lid to make it release or did you try to pry it opem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canfred Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hi Gregory , not sure my explanation is all that clear. The broken part is the little tab on the inside door. This little plastic part is part of the door about 8mm wide 6mm high 2.5mm thick but where it joins the door its u shaped and only about 1.2mm thick. The part broke while closing the door, the springloaded mechanism inside is fine. Cheers Manfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debra_gillilan Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Manfred and other repliers,I also have recently purchased the Epson Pro 3800 printer and I am very pleased. However, I do not see the awesome results that I expected on the "Epson Velvet Fine Art" media with portraits shot outdoors in nice lighting. Is there a secret, what do I need to "push up" - saturation, what? My prints seemed way too flat and lifeless. I printed the same image on Epson semi gloss (on other printer, Epson dye printer) and the result was stunningly wonderful. I use Photoshop CS3 and used the VFA icc profile and of course, PS was managing colors and monitor is hardware calibrated, etc., etc. Please advise what settings anyone uses to get VFA media to be so outstanding with portraits.Thank you, Debra in VA, USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canfred Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 Hi Debra , since this printer is quite new to me I am unable to comment. So far all my printing was on Archival matte and premium glossy, perhaps you do need to shift saturation a little? I must say the difficult issue here seems to be getting the right choice of paper , I have some Hahnemuehle Pearl on order someone here recommended for portraits I will post the results once the output is to my satisfaction. Cheers Manfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debra_gillilan Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Yes, thank you Manfred, please do post your results when you have them, with the Hahnemuehle Pearl on the Epson 3800. I will continue trying to tweak the results with the Velvet Fine Art media in Photoshop CS3. Thank you, Debra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot_n Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Debra, printing on matte papers is an acquired taste. Some people (me included) never acquire it... 'Flat and lifeless' is the way it is. I doubt you are doing anything wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emre Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Debra, you have to match the paper to the content. You would not use matte for a high contrast, high saturation image. Use it when you want texture and limited dynamic range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debra_gillilan Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Thanks Elliot and Emre, for your replies, I will keep this in mind as I print henceforth and will keep experimenting as far as the VFA, and I look forward to Manfred's results with the Hahnmuehle paper, Thank you, Debra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canfred Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Hi Debra , while I agree with Elliot to a certain extend but in my opinion a good quality matte paper is best if the print is to be exhibited ( framed ) under glass. My experience is it eliminates disturbing reflections , at least it keeps them to a minimum. The reason for me trying Hahnemuele has more to do with durability the paper is cotton based. A low sheen is acceptable. I do know the Epson paper is also cotton based I have not had the opportunity to use any, but a friend has and he did say it is outstanding. Strange may be his remark make sure you print on the right side? As to the Hahnemuele I will post my experience asap. Cheers Manfred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srr Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I just got the 3800 today. I'll try to come back and post more as I learn. So far: Ditto on the front latch. Somebody warned me about it before I got the box in the car (from Showcase in Atlanta, GA). But they also said it is a great printer. I've printed two 8x10's on Epson's premium luster paper. The second one is superb after I went to the custom settings and unchecked high-speed, but still left it at 1440dpi. If anyone else has tips and trick, please chime in. ... As for the Epson velvet fine art paper, I think the instructions say not to use that paper with the 3800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srr Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Correction - Velvet fine art paper is loaded from the rear. It makes fantastic prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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