B+W printing , Epson 3880 ?

[hanzo]

Had the same problem, I never switch it off now and run occasional nozzle check when it's been idle for a few weeks (just to purge ink). It hasn't done a head clean since.
I do run the K4 inkflow system from fotospeed, certainly saves on the ink cost.
I'm an incompetent printer but have great enjoyment from framing the results.

Thanks for the tip, I've read similar suggestions on the net but never tried it myself.. I guess its time 🙂

 

[Calzone]

Do get the 3880.. the ink in the cartridge itself worth the money

+1

The inkset for the 3880 is $409.00 alone to replace, and the carts are huge.

To add clarity the R3000 also has 9 cartridge slots so on both no need to change/waste ink to go from matte to glossy or vice a versa.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Just got box of Ilford Gold Fibre Silk paper from B&H today. What a difference this makes. Astonishing. I feel much less incompetent than I did 24 hours ago.

I just printed this image from the summer in Paris at the Rodin Museum. Shot with my Nikon S2 50/1.4 on Agfa Copex Rapid in Rodinal 1+300 1 hour stand. Printed on this paper, it actually looks like a photograph, looks like a wet print, looks like the operator knew what he was doing. Actually, it looks as though someone else printed it. Someone way more talented than I. Wow. I'm happy.

I have no regrets about all the money I just spent on the printer and the paper.

If you want to print and you have the money, don't wait until the rebate deal is done. Buy the darned thing now. You will not be disappointed. Be sure to use the right profiles (I think I am; I downloaded the ICCs from Ilford) and don't buy crappy paper. I'll buy the QTR over the weekend. Suddenly this is much more fun. And all it took was the right paper.

Rob,

A great funny post.

As a fellow slacker, I'm lagging behind with results. Still have to buy a new computer. Because I'm a lazy slacker Apple finally drop their prices and came out with a faster processor on their Power Books. Sometimes it pays to be a lazy slacker. LOL.

Sometime lazy slackers get very lucky, or could this be confused with being clever. LOL.

Cal

 

[dasuess]

+1
To add clarity the R3000 also has 9 cartridge slots so on both no need to change/waste ink to go from matte to glossy or vice a versa.
Cal

I have an R3000, and I believe the 3880 is the same, and you will waste some ink (a few ml) going from PK/MK and vice versa. This is because there is only a single black head and ink supply line.

 

[froyd]

I have an R3000, and I believe the 3880 is the same, and you will waste some ink (a few ml) going from PK/MK and vice versa. This is because there is only a single black head and ink supply line.

Yes, there is an economy and a regular purge setting that can be activated when switching between blacks. Both drain ink form the supply tube, but economy supposedly drains it a little less at the cost of the first few prints suffering contamination from the previous black ink type.

Interestingly, and annoyingly, my printer refused to allow a change from photo K to matte because one of the other color cartridges (Y? VLM?)) was too low...

 

[Calzone]

I have no practical experience with this product, but Piezography sells this cleaning fluid that has some very positive reviews for cleaning clogged heads, and for long term storage.

Save those old empty carts.

Cal

 

[Bob Michaels]

FYI: Epson USA currently has refurbished 3880s for $899 with free shipping. I have owned 7 or 8 Epson refurbished products, mostly printers, and prefer them to new. All refurbished printers come with new ink carts.

 

[Calzone]

FYI: Epson USA currently has refurbished 3880s for $899 with free shipping. I have owned 7 or 8 Epson refurbished products, mostly printers, and prefer them to new. All refurbished printers come with new ink carts.

Bob,

If you have the cash flow the cost is $889.00 for a brand new 3880. The $250.00 rebate takes 6-8 weeks. If you do the math and subtract the $409.00 for an inkset the opportunity to get a "Pro" printer is a really good deal.

The downside is that the printer is big and heavy. I learned the hard way and dragged a 3880 home via the Subway from B&H. Basically I broke my arms by the time I got home.

Cal

 

[Bob Michaels]

Cal: You save $10 and carry it home. Of course if one has to pay shipping, the free delivery makes up for that and more. I hate to mention the New York sales tax you paid.

If my 2400 ever stops working I might consider the 3800/3880 just for the ink cart size. I print a lot but almost never bigger than 10 x 12.5 even for exhibits.

The actual bulk of the printer really is something to consider. I know how big they are. My peripheral stand already is full already with the 2400, a C88 document printer and MultiPro scanner.

Bob,

If you have the cash flow the cost is $889.00 for a brand new 3880. The $250.00 rebate takes 6-8 weeks. If you do the math and subtract the $409.00 for an inkset the opportunity to get a "Pro" printer is a really good deal.

The downside is that the printer is big and heavy. I learned the hard way and dragged a 3880 home via the Subway from B&H. Basically I broke my arms by the time I got home.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Cal: You save $10 and carry it home. Of course if one has to pay shipping, the free delivery makes up for that and more. I hate to mention the New York sales tax you paid.

If my 2400 ever stops working I might consider the 3800/3880 just for the ink cart size. I print a lot but almost never bigger than 10 x 12.5 even for exhibits.

The actual bulk of the printer really is something to consider. I know how big they are. My peripheral stand already is full already with the 2400, a C88 document printer and MultiPro scanner.

Bob,

You are right about the sales tax. Ouch. Part of the price to pay for living in a great city.

Cal