Claria vs K3

[donbga]

I'm a big fan of the R1800.

Isn't the R1800 obsolete and no longer sold new?

Don Bryant

 

[pschwart]

Isn't the R1800 obsolete and no longer sold new?

Don Bryant

I think that's true. The 3800 is obsolete, too, in the sense that is has been superceded by a later model. The smaller printers get stale quicker than a bag of chips I am still printing b&w with an R200 using MIS inks; it has been out of production for years.

 

[Curt]

The Epson 3800.3880 is considered by many the #1 printer for making digital negatives for printing with alternative processes. However, if you don't need the 17" carriage size of the 3800/3880 you might consider the R1900. I know several alternative printers whose word I trust who get very good results with the Epson R1900 in palladium and carbon. The R1900 has a small ink drop size, does not band, and is able to print with adequate UV blocking for both palladium and carbon. I tried it myself some time ago but was not satisfied with the UV blocking but I tend to print carbon with very high DR negatives, log 2.8 or so, and at the time I simply could not find a way to get that kind of blocking from the R1900. But today with QTR and/or +Ink setting with the Epson driver using PDN I am pretty sure I could get the DR I need.

Epson has the R1900 listed now on their website with a rebate that gets you the printer for $400. If I were just getting into printing carbon or pt. with digital negatives the R1900 might be a good low cost alternative. One could save even more by buying a used model on ebay for $300 or so.

Sandy King

Thanks Sandy for the suggestion, I'm looking and thinking about this and will be making a decision very soon. It's interesting that Epson doesn't mention digital negative making, that I could see, and that Pictorico says it will work with any nearly any printer. This is why I'm dependent on the help from those who actually use the equipment and media.

Thank again,
Curt

 

[Curt]

If I had more of what it takes to get along I'd have gone for the latest and greatest printer. In the end, being in the worst recession since the Great Depression, I dug into my savings and ordered an Epson 1900 printer based on what Sand told me. I actually ordered the info pack from Epson the other day and received it yesterday. It looks like a fine printer for the money, I have my fingers crossed that I can print some digital negatives for Carbon Transfer. Platinum would be fantastic too. I wasn't going to go the digital route but time and place has had it's impact. Now to purchase that 1000 rolls of my favorite 120 film to shoot and scan and I'm on phase two of my plan to continue photographing into retirement. Upgrades expected.
The images I've scanned and seen on my screen have just blown me away. I should have gotten a scanner much sooner. I have the 4990 and it's super. I did find that it has firewire. I'm using my Sony notebook for now until I can upgrade to a new computer. Good thing I got a deluxe one when I did, the PS files are loading and correcting fine but I'm at the limit for resources. So far, so good as they say.

One might say that I could have gotten a nice view camera for the money but this is an avenue that I must take along with Analog.

Curt