Epson R2880 or HP B9180?

I'm torn between the two and really don't know which way to go. I know there's a recent thread on similar printers but I really need to stay below the $1000 mark. I've read quite a few threads concerning both printers but they are a bit dated and I'm just wondering if things have changed or improved since they've been released (the B9180 at least). Basically, I'm just starting to get into a hybrid workflow, and my main interest is first, in producing digital negs for alt processes, and second, for some black and white (from C-41 negs) and colour (from slides) printing.

I'm sure that both would be more than satisfactory, but I'd just like some concise advice either way. And please, no suggestions for the 3800 -- ideally I would love it, but there is no way I can justify the price. I can barely justify the price for either of the two printers mentioned above, but I know that it's what I need to do the things I want to do.

Epson R2800 and HP9180

I've read a few places that you can get the Epson 3880 for under $1000. You might want to check the web for prices.

Bruce

I can't compare the two, but I've had the HP B9180 for a while, and so far, I'm pleased with it.

I've made a couple of digital negs on Pictorico Premium OHP for silver printing, and it works for that. I haven't tried to make a digital neg for albumen yet, but Sandy King used it for carbon and perhaps other processes, so it should be usable for alt processes. For silver, I've only made greyscale negs. For albumen greyscale won't have enough density, so I'll need to experiment with other colors.

I've also made some B&W and color prints, and they look pretty good. I prefer silver for B&W, but on Harman Gloss FB AI, it can produce some fairly convincing prints. With the right paper and ink combination, the prints are also very durable and resistant to smudging, and in some cases waterproof.

Bruce, that may be, but not in Canada. And then I'd have to consider the shipping and duties, which is not insignificant considering the recent plummetting of the Canadian dollar.

David, thanks for sharing your experiences with the HP. I noticed that early reviews (on this site) seemed very excited by the B9180 for alt processes but there hasn't been much reported on it since.

rachelle

Rachelle,

If you want to consider doing digital negs for alt process then Epson is the way to go. I don't know much about HP printers, but I do own an Epson 3800 and the 2880 uses the very same technology. In fact, Epson is (clearly) shifting their printer line to all 8+ ink models, with 40+ nozzles per head.

Epson printers are widely supported in the digital negatives arena (Quadtone RIP, Etc) and folks tend to be more familiar with the options present with Epson's line, especially the newer printers.

Go for the Epson 2880 if you can't afford the 3800. However, I really REALLY must point out that if you can afford to print on the 2880 then by default, you can certainly afford a 3800 unit. My logic? The 2880 (actually, it's a baby 3800) uses 11ml ink cartridges which sell for anywhere from US$12-15.00 each. The 3800 uses 80ml cartridges which sell for around US$52.00 each.

Do the math! You get almost 8 times the ink for 3.5 times the price! There's absolutely no contest. The 2880 is only a viable choice for people who do not intend to use it very much but still want the Epson print-head/ink quality. If you plan on being an active printer then the 3800 will pay for itself in inks in no time at all.

Plus, the 3800 is a far more robust unit then the 2880 and offers a maximum width of 17" vs. the 13" limit on the 2880. You can also plug it into your router as it comes equipped with an RJ-45 network port.

Finally, the 3800 holds ALL 9 INK CARTRIDGES, so no ink is lost to purging (although switching black inks does result in *some* ink loss).

Bite the bullet my dear.

My $0.02

I had a 9180 for a year or so. It does quite a good job for certain digital negatives. I had some head-banding issues with mine for carbon transfer and silver gelatin digital negs, but the kallitypes were very very smooth. Also, B&W and color inkjets off it were very nice. But I'm really into carbon transfers so I had to upgrade.

I considered the 2880 briefly because I really like the size, but those 11ml carts are ridiculous, not to mention the black cart swapping. Plus the price at the time was only $200 cheaper than the 3800. It was hard to do but I'm glad I got the 3800. But, depending on what alt processes you do, the 9180 might be perfectly adequate. But I have to say that the digital negative prints made from QTR and the 3800 are smoother and cleaner than anything I ever got from the 9180.

Anybody around here using CIS with their Epsons? For $500, that seems to solve a lot of woes, if it's implemented right.

A few things to consider....

We evaluated both printers as we were trying to determine which to support with our free color RIP. And I have the following observations:

Both seemed to perform reasonably well. However, the HP holds quite a bit more ink than the Epson. Whereas the Epson's print heads are not a consumable and do not wear. The Epson R2880 tended to have less delta-e color shift variation from one machine to the next, which is what ultimately led us to get certification on that particular model.

Certainly both are quality machines in my opinion though.


Kind Regards,
Scott

Dead Link Removed

scottglevy said:

We evaluated both printers as we were trying to determine which to support with our free color RIP.

Dead Link Removed

Click to expand...

What free color RIP? I looked at the veroproof website and did not see a RIP. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Don

Whereas the Epson's print heads are not a consumable and do not wear.

Click to expand...

Who is going to believe this? If you've ever seen an injection nozzle after 2 years of use under a microscope you will definitely not believe this lie!

I have an HP8750 which is the previous model to the B9180. There are a few other practical considerations aside from the results you might like to consider.

My experience is that I can get many more prints out of the HP than the Epson, especially if I ignore the "out of ink" message. Usually get at least 5 more A3 prints after the warning.

Finding printer profiles for HP printers can be a bit of a pain.

There are a vast numebr of HP ink cartridges out there. It can be difficult to source some of them.

I love my 8750 and will continue to use it till it quits on me. It gives great results.