new version of the epson 2200?

[northeast16th]

I had an Epson 2200 and an Epson v700. I scanned medium format color transparencies and this combination gave me some spectacular prints. This was a couple of years ago and now I'm looking to buy something that will give me comparable prints.

I shoot Provia 100, and I use Epson Enhanced Matte paper (or whatever it's called now). In essence, I shoot transparencies and print on Epson Enhanced Matte paper and I have no need for glossy or black and white.

What would be the best Epson printer to buy these days for this combination? I loved the 2200, but sold it in what turns out to be a bad decision. I'm thinking about buying a used 2200, but that can be sketchy and if there is a new one I might as well get that.

Thanks so much,

Scott

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I'd get something newer. My 2200 died last year after 7 years of service. I replaced it with a barely used R2400 and the 2400 image quality beats the 2200 by quite a bit, though the 2200 was VERY good. There's an even newer model out now that replaced the R2400 but I can't remember the number. I think its 2880

 

[Mcary]

Scott,

I'd suggest doing some research on the Epson R1900 as I believe it has all the features that you're looking for.

 

[gdmcclintock]

I have a 2400 printer that after several years is starting to die; I have to reinstall printer drivers in order to avoid "failed to print" halfway through the print job. Rather than purchase a used 2400, if 13x19 is big enough, I'd buy the 2880 new, if possible. -George

 

[northeast16th]

Very mixed reviews on the 2880. Half good and half bad and very little in between. I'm nervous to drop that much money on one if it's going to hog ink and experience periodic failures. It seems Epson's quality control of late is wanting.

 

[Richard Ross]

Hi Scott,

I considered a 2880 when my 2100 (UK version of the 2200) died, but ended up with a 3800. The cost increase isn't that big and you get an A2 printer, but what really swung it was the ink costs. The 3800 uses much bigger carts and the ink cost is about a third of the smaller format machines. So if you do a lot of printing you might want to think about the 3800 - or 3880 as it has now been replaced by I think. I've had no issues with my 3800 in the two years or so since I bought it.

The R1900 is a lower cost machine than the 2880 but it's really optimised for glossy prints - I was never entirely happy with the matt prints I got from my similar R800. If you ever want to do b+w, you'll certainly benefit from the 2880/3880 ink set.

Regards
Richard