Time is Coming for a New Epson Film Printer...what to get?

[Inkworks]

I've sort of narrowed it down to either another 3000, a 4880, 4900 or a 7880. Right now there is a good deal on a lightly used 7880 locally ($1250) and 24" wide film may be a good thing for me in the future or sign printing.

Any input as to models to steer clear of or look for? 17" wide is not a deal breaker.

[beanie357]

Bigger can always do smaller, not vicey versey
Just my ho

[Doug S]

I would go with the 7880 for sure.  The epson 4880 is nice and produces some nice films.  There is nothing like being able to print 24 inch if needed.  It allows you to print  your reg marks farther away from the image.  That's just my thoughts.

[ZooCity]

7880. that price is nice if the unit is in good shape.

our 4800 prints excellent films but I wish it could go wider when needed.  I also hear that the print engines in the wider models are an upgrade but can't confirm that.

one downsider is your rip will cost more for the bigger printers.

[Doug S]

7880. that price is nice if the unit is in good shape.

our 4800 prints excellent films but I wish it could go wider when needed.  I also hear that the print engines in the wider models are an upgrade but can't confirm that.

one downsider is your rip will cost more for the bigger printers.

Very true, I'd forgot about having to spend more on a rip.

[jsheridan]

And with the bigger machines.. you can use any film roll size from 13" to 24"

Can't get around the 800 bucks for the rip though.

[Inkworks]

Any input into ink costs, head clogging etc? My 3000 sat in hot storage for 18 months before I got it, 3 cleaning cycles with the ink that was in it and it's been clog-free ever since. That's the original dye based ink I believe. One of the head nozzles is now causing a bit of drag-out of ink from the image area or I'd keep plugging along with it. Aside from the usual media pick-up rollers being a bit fussy, it still does a pretty good job.

[ZooCity]

Any input into ink costs, head clogging etc? My 3000 sat in hot storage for 18 months before I got it, 3 cleaning cycles with the ink that was in it and it's been clog-free ever since. That's the original dye based ink I believe. One of the head nozzles is now causing a bit of drag-out of ink from the image area or I'd keep plugging along with it. Aside from the usual media pick-up rollers being a bit fussy, it still does a pretty good job.

x800/x880 series Epsons seem to have put the kibosh on head clogging finally.  You need to leave them on at all times for it to run it's auto-cleans.  Then expect to reset and repack your maintenance tank occasionally and of course it's an Epson so it's going to blatantly waste ink and media at every possible turn.  But, running them with cleaning fluid and black in the heads of your choice along with affordable film and smart enough rip mitigates the issue.

The printers you mentioned are miles away from the 3k, trusty old dog though it is.  The new machines are much more production friendly.

[jsheridan]

it's an Epson so it's going to blatantly waste ink and media at every possible turn. 

I just wanted to quote that.. because it's true! 

 

[squeezee]

Try the Canon iPF605, it's pretty frugal on the ink and gives good results.

[mk162]

i've got a 300 with a brand new print head and a bulk ink system.  I am asking $300 plus shipping.

[ZooCity]

it's an Epson so it's going to blatantly waste ink and media at every possible turn. 

I just wanted to quote that.. because it's true! 

I know, it's freaking gross.  It's like "oh you just reset or loaded some roll media?  here, let me spit out 6 inches of that for you to throw away."   "What's that, I'm being used for the first time today?  Hold on, I need to dump ink out of all eight carts and into the waste tank for 5 minutes.....okay, there we go, don't forget to toss out the entire maintenance tank and buy a new chunk of plastic full of felt from epson!"

Shame on the executive deusche bags who concocted this set of 'features'.   

[Inkworks]

Well it looks like the 7880 is coming. Turns out the seller is a friend of flyfishing friend, so perhaps it was meant to be.

I'll keep the 3000 for big ol' spot-colour films until it dies completely, but the 7880 will do the halftones and the fine detail pad print films.... . I may even be able to sell printed film to another local shop...

[Inkworks]

Well the 7880 got delivered today. The seller drove 140 miles to drop it off it's minty, less than 1000 pages through it, he was a hobbiest doing those picture wraps and he upgraded to a bigger Epson.

I may have some full colour work for it locally too as a real estate company wants laminated listings to put in their front window.

[Inkworks]

Okay, played with the 7880 a bit today, seems it won't print opaque film without a RIP? Or am I missing something in the settings?


Damn, the ol' 3000 will get some work until I get the big RIP I guess