michel_leclerc Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 <p>Hello,<br> what will be the best buy on the long term between the 2880 and the 3800? Ink cartridges are bigger but about maintenance and bugs... i'm aware of the black ink swapping and quantity. I don't intend to print like crazy.</p><p>Thanks! </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_m Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 <p>well, all printers have issues. I love the 3800. the ink cost is about 50% less on the 3800 so if you want to print even a reasonable amount, not to mention 17", there is no comparison. Also consider how much ink you get.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric_brody Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 <p>The 3800 will have lower ink costs because of the larger cartridges, it will print larger, the main reason to get it for most folks. I love mine though I rarely do 16x20 prints, but like its professional build. My prints, within the limits of my puny skills are fantastic, certainly the printer is not the limiting factor for me. I rarely swap ink, having used only photoblack (glossy) paper for the last year or so.<br> If you want to print big, do not care about roll paper, and enjoy using a well built product, you'll love the 3800.<br> Good luck.<br> Eric</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb1 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 <p>How are these printers with head clogs? Epsons are known for that, how long can they be idle and not clog?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briancorll Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I had a 2880 - three of them actually. Nothing but problems. I gave up on it and bought a 3800. I'm happy with that. The ink costs are indeed much lower. The 3800 is a professional-grade machine. The 2880 is for the casual or hobby user.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaldog Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>The only advantage the 2880 has over the 3800 is a newer screening algorithm. I have both. That said, I prefer the 3800 for the reasons stated above (and the network capabilities).</p> Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management" (pluralsight.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>epson didtn have a cloggrd problem since the k3 ink..they where knowned for that problem when people use dye ink 10 years ago...or print 1 8x10 every 6month.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>as for the print quality, they are virtually the same, the 3800 is cheaper to run on the long run, but its more expensive to start if you are tight on your $. If you think you wont print 400 print soon..go with a 2880. Of course if you need a 17 wide printer..well, its the one to get.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briancorll Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>The 2880 has/had driver problems (I returned my last one in March) and I can't say if they've been fixed. It went into a crazy automatic cleaning cycle that damned near drained every cartridge in the printer. I lost more money on ink with that thing than the machine itself cost. Thus far, no problems with the 3800.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel_leclerc Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>Andrew,<br> What are doing the new algorithm? Any problems using ethernet instead of USB connection?<br> Patrick,<br> i was looking at the 2880 but since i will like to try matte papers and B+W, i'm concerned with the ink swapping. Even if i don't print a lot so far (I have a R800). I read that it is also better built and might have a longer life. For the 17 wide, this is an extra. How many sheets of A3+ do you average on an 2880 because i need to buy ink? What kind of papers are you using?</p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>A3 is 13x19? around 20-25 pages full color approx max with a full brand new ink . with a 11ml ink cart you wont go far ; )</p> <p>As for the ink swapping, well any epson other than the 3800 will have that problem (except the new 7900 and up but that is another expensive story).</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briancorll Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>The 3800 does ink swapping too - even when you don't want it to. Make one mikstake with your saved print settings and you'll find the 3800 switching to MK when you want PK and vice versa. Costs about $4 every time to switch back. I've become more careful, but I still goof now and then. You don't have to physically change the cartridges, that's all. I would prefer manual switching to automatic. Or at least have the driver prompt me to be sure I really wnat to switch blacks before just doing it. But of course, Epson sells more black ink that way. ;-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>you dont really lost 4$ of ink..as it take only 4ml of your 80ml cart that cost 60$, so if you divide 60$ by 20 (80 div by 4ml) its cost you 3$..OK i admit its close to 4$ : )</p> <p>But just learn how to correctly print and make up your mind about the paper you use and you will save $ Ah Ah.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briancorll Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>Ah, I knew it would happen. My first two days on this forum and already a troll has visited me.<br> Check Eric Chan's page on the 3800 to learn how much it costs to swap from MK to PK and back. Or calculate it yourself.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel_leclerc Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>Patrick,<br> like you, i like a lot Epson premium luster paper and the Harman FB Al but which one do you recommend me to try on matte surface for color and BW printing.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 <p>I haven't tried the 3800 but have the 2880. The 2880 is great froma quality point of view, but it is somewhat expensive to run, and it's also EXTREMELY finicky about paper handling. It often thinks it's jammed when it's not, and getting it to load heavyweight fine art papers is sometimes excruciating.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_m Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 <p>Michel,<br> Try Epson Velvet Fine Art or Ultrasmooth Fine Art.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 <p>My paper of choice for behind glass or protfolio need is Enhanced Matte Paper (or the newer name that replace it).</p> <p>not expensie / perfect quality price..cant beat that. I use it for years until i switch to Epson Luster almost exclusively.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uhooru Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 <p>Patrick, do you have to manually switch black cartridges on the 2880? Or is it just in the print driver?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricklavoie Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 <p>manually change the the black cartridge AND sometimes, resinstal the driver to make sure that the systeme see the change..but just truning OFF the printer and quitting Photoshop can also do most of the time.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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