Author Topic: Epson 4900 for film  (Read 5613 times)

Offline ZooCity

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Epson 4900 for film
« on: October 19, 2015, 01:56:31 PM »
Who's using the 4900 for film?  Pros and cons?

Hitting a wall with running our 4800's and finding replacements, considering buying a new 4900 and being done with it.  I'm sure the resolution will be great and they make Accuink carts to run on them but not sure about RIP compatibility and of course the usual Epson issues with proprietary controls, etc. 

Thanks in advance.


Offline ol man

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2015, 02:43:04 PM »
we use it with accurip - no problems there.

although i think we got a lemon... constantly cleaning the heads . and its not like it sits idle...normally running 20 - 30 seps a day thru it.

Offline blue moon

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2015, 02:57:32 PM »
we use it with accurip - no problems there.

although i think we got a lemon... constantly cleaning the heads . and its not like it sits idle...normally running 20 - 30 seps a day thru it.

sort of sums up what I've heard. There are issues and by design they are disposable. I would not get one . . .

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!

Offline ZooCity

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2015, 02:59:10 PM »
Huh, what about Canon and others?  Seems like Epson makes 1 decent printer every 5 years or so and the rest a small to medium sized scam.

Offline kingscreen

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2015, 03:16:49 PM »
Clogiest of cloggers ever.  Avoid.
Scott Garnett
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Offline ZooCity

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2015, 03:56:03 PM »
Yuck, well that's out I guess. 

Offline SteveS

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2015, 04:20:15 PM »
I hear all the disdain for the Epson 4900 but what is the best alternative if you plan on continuing to use film? I know the CTS is the way to go but our 4880 has been a workhorse for over 7 years without so much as a hiccup using Accurip all black bulk carts.

Is there another inkjet alternative?

What about the Epson SureColor T3270 24" Large-Format Inkjet Printer. Charlie at Accurip says this is a workhorse printer. Any feedback?

Offline dirkdiggler

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2015, 04:29:27 PM »
PIECE OF SHITE!  I have had 4, we thank goodness are CTS now.  I have a 4900 hardly even touched if anybody wants one on the cheap!
If he gets up, we'll all get up, IT'LL BE ANARCHY!-John Bender

Offline jvieira

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2015, 04:38:09 PM »
although i think we got a lemon... constantly cleaning the heads . and its not like it sits idle...normally running 20 - 30 seps a day thru it.

same. we actually bought new cartridges and will fill them up - except for two - with cleaning solution to avoid so much clogging. hopefully it will work better than it does now

Offline kingscreen

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2015, 05:05:10 PM »
We bought an unclog kit ($600), and still couldn't get it to print again after sitting idle for only a few days.   
Scott Garnett
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Offline ZooCity

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2015, 05:19:27 PM »
I hear all the disdain for the Epson 4900 but what is the best alternative if you plan on continuing to use film? I know the CTS is the way to go but our 4880 has been a workhorse for over 7 years without so much as a hiccup using Accurip all black bulk carts.

Is there another inkjet alternative?

What about the Epson SureColor T3270 24" Large-Format Inkjet Printer. Charlie at Accurip says this is a workhorse printer. Any feedback?

This is what I'm wondering.  What happens when all the 4800/80's are gone?

PIECE OF SHITE!  I have had 4, we thank goodness are CTS now.  I have a 4900 hardly even touched if anybody wants one on the cheap!

I might actually.  We only run 1 ink in the photo black head, an ink made to be used in the Epsons, and cleaning solution in all others.  I can set FM to do auto head cleanings at intervals if the Epson system isn't taking care of it correctly.   I just can't find a 4800 locally or even one to ship right now and for the price of print heads on them it almost makes more sense to just get a new printer I'd say. 

Offline ZooCity

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2015, 05:37:28 PM »
The Epson SureColor T3270 looks really damn good actually.  Only 5 carts, but it's built for pigment ink.

Offline jvanick

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #12 on: October 19, 2015, 05:43:57 PM »
is it wrong that I've been taping films to a screen so I can run them through the DTS when we need to do jobs that have too thick of emulsion to run through the DTS?  LOL.


Offline dirkdiggler

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2015, 06:47:30 PM »
BTW, if you or anyone else needs a new 4880, someone on this board owns about 300 of them new in the box!  I won't say his name, but I am sure he is watching!  He told me personally, so its no joke!  This was about a year ago, but I would bet he still has them.
If he gets up, we'll all get up, IT'LL BE ANARCHY!-John Bender

Offline ffokazak

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Re: Epson 4900 for film
« Reply #14 on: October 19, 2015, 07:08:03 PM »
I have a 4900 that we use every day, and it has been solid. I paid a couple hundred bucks for it after the previous owner couldn't print photos with it because 3 colours were clogged.  (those colours are Black and a few others and for the record they are not at all firing these days. )

I would not buy one brand new. I WOULD buy one for a hundred bucks and use it until it died and wouldn't print any colours anymore. Ours is almost two years in our shop without so much as a clogged nozzle in the two that I have been using.

My 2 cents. I know I may bring down the hate with this, some people do not like this printer but ours has been great.... For the cost we paid.

(I Have a 4800, and a 1430 as well, so IF the 4900 died I wouldn't be up sh*t creek with a turd paddle.)

Again, just my experience.