Epson 3800 Questions

I'm thinking about this one!! Can you help me with a couple of questions, realizing very few if any of you have actually handled this printer:

1. I can see the advantages over the 4800--size, speed, cost: do you see any disadvantages?

2. What is the benefit from getting the professional version for $200 more? I'm a photographer, and don't use pantone or things like that. I've never used a RIP. So why might I want the Professional version of the 3800 rather that the standard one?

3. I've only used cut sheets on my 2200 (and have a great deal of experience there). I guess I'd now be buying rolls of paper: just how much more time consuming and difficult is using rolls, compared to cut sheets? And... if you only print occasionally, do you then take the rolls off when not in use, and put them back on later when using?

Thanks

kdoc

Kdoc said:

I'm thinking about this one!! Can you help me with a couple of
questions, realizing very few if any of you have actually handled
this printer:
1. I can see the advantages over the 4800--size, speed, cost: do
you see any disadvantages?

Click to expand...

There is no roll option. The print length is limited to 37"

Kdoc said:

2. What is the benefit from getting the professional version for
$200 more? I'm a photographer, and don't use pantone or things like
that. I've never used a RIP. So why might I want the Professional
version of the 3800 rather that the standard one?

Click to expand...

If you don't use a RIP now, you don't need one--as they say LOL. I have ordered without one---and I do some work with a graphics llab in CMYK, but not enough to warrant the RIP

Kdoc said:

3. I've only used cut sheets on my 2200 (and have a great deal of
experience there). I guess I'd now be buying rolls of paper: just
how much more time consuming and difficult is using rolls, compared
to cut sheets? And... if you only print occasionally, do you then
take the rolls off when not in use, and put them back on later when
using?

Click to expand...

You will be using only sheets. I plan to buy some roll media to cut myself into sheets--primarily 17 x 25 to print to 16 x 24. There is no roll opion as I mentioned above.

Diane

Kdoc said:

Thanks

kdoc

Click to expand...

--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

The major disadvantage of the 3800 compared to the 4800 is for people who do a lot of panorama printing or use roll paper. The 3800 does not have a roll paper attachment so if you want to do panoramas (up to 37 inches wide) you need to cut the piece off the roll first and then run it through the printer. Actually this is not much more trouble than attaching the roll feeder to the 4800. Anyway the 3800 is cheaper, has both black inks installer and is "newer technology." You don't need a RIP unless you proof for large professional printers or do vector (non-photographic) graphics. Most photographers will do fine with the Standard edition. The 3800 is a sheet fed printer, so you don't need to worry about rolls and Epson and 3rd party paper companies have plenty of diffent papers in sheets for this printer.

Thanks veery much folks: all very clear. I'm a little bit reticent about having to cut up paper before printing: do you find this a time consuming and/or exacting project, where things go wrong frequently, , or is it fairly quick and simple?

kdoc

Cost of ink is probably quite a bit more. See

http:www.canonipf5000.wikispaces.com/FAQ#Pros

for comparison of Epson 3800, 4800 and Canon IPF5000.

--John

The 3800 uses sheets just like your 2200 as its prefered media. I'm not sure why you're asking about cutting paper?

Cutting up rolls of paper is very simple. Cut roll paper to length then cut to width. No problem I do it all the time having a 1270. Tools required are an expendable flat surface, sraight edge. 2 clamps and a utility knife with sharp blade. The straight edge is a long length piece of flat iron bought from the hardware store ( hardware store before PC hardware stores).

--
ray

Thanks again all: I was asking about curtting because one reason to get the 3800 would be to print 17x25 or slightly less, and they don't make cut sheets that size, do they?

kdoc

17X22 is the largest standard sheet paper. I use a rolling cutter like you use for scrapbooking with a straight edge and it works great. Its almost easier to cut the rolls unless you do a lot of panoromas at a time.

I'm in the market for a rolling cutter---which one are you using--and are you happy (enough) with it.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

Actually what I'm am doing is "primative" in that I use a cutting mat from an arts and crafts or sewing store for cutting patterns, etc and then either Fiskar or Olfa hand rolling cutters with a straight edge. Using clamps really helps with wider paper, but I think you can hand hold down the straight edge for 13 or 17 inch wide paper. I have tried rolling paper cutters that work up to 13 inches, but prefer the cutting mat and hand rolling cutter.

I use a Carl DC-250 that I bought new on eBay for just under $200 delivered. It cuts 25" and comes with three blades: cutter, scoring (for folding) and perforating (for making tear offs). Had this one over a year and love it. Rotatrims are built better but a lot more $$. Search eBay for Carl DC-250

I used this for cutting down roll paper to size for the 4800 I sold and for the 3800 I'm hoping is on the way to me. For the limited volume I print, I found it easier to make custom sheet sizes rather than using roll paper--a lot less waste. I preordered at Hunt's the week of the announcement so am #9 on the list with them.
--
Gary
http://www.adifferenteye.com

Every time I read someones complaint about the 3800 it's usually about one of the things that allow the printer to have the small footprint and be marketed for this new low price for a 17" pigment printer.

For someone who does a lot of printing the 80ml cartridges are a venue to voice displeasure.A 110ml or 220ml would be more to their liking.

For someone who might only use up the ink in the 80ml cartridges during 6 months of use it's a good thing.

No roll paper ability and user defined print length limited to 950mm and shorter for the more than occassional panoramic printer is a sore spot.

For the portrait photographer it's a "who needs it"reply.

I think the 37.4" print length limit is due to hardware components and not an arbitrary decision by Epson.I think they would have done it to 44" if it was possible.The new A3+ dye ink printer in Japan doesn't have roll paper either but it's driver allows a user defined size up to 44".

There's a lot of models from the usual suspects,just pick the one that comes closest to your needs and does the best on the papers you prefer to use.

Eric Wulfsberg said:

Actually what I'm am doing is "primative" in that I use a cutting
mat from an arts and crafts or sewing store for cutting patterns,
etc and then either Fiskar or Olfa hand rolling cutters with a
straight edge. Using clamps really helps with wider paper, but I
think you can hand hold down the straight edge for 13 or 17 inch
wide paper. I have tried rolling paper cutters that work up to 13
inches, but prefer the cutting mat and hand rolling cutter.

Click to expand...

I have all of those tools to start with. I'm also thinking of a cutter like the Carl (post above) since I feel the Rotatrim is more than I need. Glad to heaer a good report about the Carl.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries