2200 owners...help get Grey Balancer in the U.S.!

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does Epson try to hide this!

EVERYONE who wants to see the U.S. market get the same package as the rest of the world's 2100 please send an email complaining to Epson.

For those who don't know, Grey Balancer is a combination of software and reference charts that helps you calibrate your B/W prints so that they can be totally neutral. Those who have tried it swear by it. Unfortunately for some reason, Epson has decided not to include this with the 2200 in the U.S.

Also, if you care, the 2100 comes with a tray that allows you to print on printable CD-Rs.

Ever since learning about all of this, I feel pretty jipped by Epson. If you do as well, do the following: Go to
http://support.epson.com/ ... ... printer/inkjet/pho22_ troubleshooting.html
and click on Epson ER
Select "I don't have a problem. I need the latest driver." and click Continue
Then in the Other Options box you should see Email Technical Support.

NOW LET "EM HAVE IT

Jonathan

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does
Epson try to hide this!

Click to expand...

The horror...the horror...

Jonathan Natiuk said:

EVERYONE who wants to see the U.S. market get the same package as
the rest of the world's 2100 please send an email complaining to
Epson.

Click to expand...

Everyone? A bit of an over statement. Epson sold about 6000 2200's the first month (and still didn't have enough for the US market demand). You're fooling yourself if you think even a fraction cared about GB. How many of the 6000 really even print B&W? Please. Take a reality check.

Jonathan Natiuk said:

For those who don't know, Grey Balancer is a combination of
software and reference charts that helps you calibrate your B/W
prints so that they can be totally neutral.

Click to expand...

That's just not correct. You may be color blind but there is no way you'll get totally neutral prints under various lighting conditions unless you want to find a way to print without the yellow ink (and there IS a way but I digress...).

Jonathan Natiuk said:

Ever since learning about all of this, I feel pretty jipped by
Epson.

Click to expand...

Then send back the 2200 you hate so much, get your money back and buy something else.

Don't you have better things to do than start an email blast that will do NO good? Why don't you write to the President on Iraq or do something constructive. You can download the GB software from some European site. Do that, play all you want with GB and move on. Epson isn't going to put the toothpaste back into the tube.

--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

Jonathan,

Please don't go by what Andrew says - he's got a real thorn in his side over this issue and is just simply rude. He was one of the people who recommended, and still supports, the removal of this very useful software from the NA market. He rants, but then he goes away.

Check the postings over this issue - we've tried, Vincent at Photo-i has tried very hard and Epson simply sticks their head in the sand and ignores their customers.

Many people have downloaded the French version of the GrayBalancer and then applied an English translation - you'll find links on Vincents Photo-i site along with credit for the English translation.

I've used the GrayBalancer and it works really well. In my prints, before and after, I got a much more neutral image - most people report excellent results. Be aware, that when the GrayBalancer is "turned on", it's always on when you print to the 2200 - you have to set it back to "No Adjustment" to turn it off again.

Again, this issue has been covered quite well in this forum - have a look for the posts. I'm all for trying again but I don't think it's going to work. I have the GrayBalancer software and I'd love to get CD printing, but...

Davidk

Andrew Rodney said:

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does
Epson try to hide this!

Click to expand...

The horror...the horror...

Andrew Rodney said:

EVERYONE who wants to see the U.S. market get the same package as
the rest of the world's 2100 please send an email complaining to
Epson.

Click to expand...

Everyone? A bit of an over statement. Epson sold about 6000 2200's
the first month (and still didn't have enough for the US market
demand). You're fooling yourself if you think even a fraction cared
about GB. How many of the 6000 really even print B&W? Please. Take
a reality check.

Andrew Rodney said:

For those who don't know, Grey Balancer is a combination of
software and reference charts that helps you calibrate your B/W
prints so that they can be totally neutral.

Click to expand...

That's just not correct. You may be color blind but there is no way
you'll get totally neutral prints under various lighting conditions
unless you want to find a way to print without the yellow ink (and
there IS a way but I digress...).

Andrew Rodney said:

Ever since learning about all of this, I feel pretty jipped by
Epson.

Click to expand...

Then send back the 2200 you hate so much, get your money back and
buy something else.

Don't you have better things to do than start an email blast that
will do NO good? Why don't you write to the President on Iraq or do
something constructive. You can download the GB software from some
European site. Do that, play all you want with GB and move on.
Epson isn't going to put the toothpaste back into the tube.

--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

Click to expand...

Anderw,

If anyone is in need of a reality check it's probably you. You made a bad mistake in advising Epson not to include the grey balancer because you're clearly out of touch with the customers, as demonstrated by how the vast majority of members of this forum have responded. Why not leave it alone and stop drawing attention to it? (And if you haven't figured out by now that it was a mistake from a marketing perspective if not a technical one then you're just plain butt stupid).

But yes, Epson NA is sticking by their decision. Doubtless corporate ego or planning at work. Just chalk it down to ill-will. Hopefully, next time they want an opinion they'll ask someone with a clue.

But in fact you can get the grey balancer fairly easily if you want it: Go to Epson's French site, download it, then download a program from i-photo which translates the program into English. Viola -- you have the grey balancer.

Andrew Rodney said:

Everyone? A bit of an over statement. Epson sold about 6000 2200's
the first month (and still didn't have enough for the US market
demand). You're fooling yourself if you think even a fraction cared
about GB. How many of the 6000 really even print B&W? Please. Take
a reality check.

Click to expand...

Why not to complain? Maybe because with GB ImagePrint will loose a lot of potential buyers. Let's face it. Epson 2200 is geting this huge succes among many photographers because B&W printing is closer than ever. Espon knows it and is working towards this kind of printers. If they finally sell B&W ink they will have this section of the market for many years. And this wonderful software for 500$....well...

Cristian

Andrew Rodney said:

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does
Epson try to hide this!

Click to expand...

The horror...the horror...

Andrew Rodney said:

EVERYONE who wants to see the U.S. market get the same package as
the rest of the world's 2100 please send an email complaining to
Epson.

Click to expand...

Everyone? A bit of an over statement. Epson sold about 6000 2200's
the first month (and still didn't have enough for the US market
demand). You're fooling yourself if you think even a fraction cared
about GB. How many of the 6000 really even print B&W? Please. Take
a reality check.

Andrew Rodney said:

For those who don't know, Grey Balancer is a combination of
software and reference charts that helps you calibrate your B/W
prints so that they can be totally neutral.

Click to expand...

That's just not correct. You may be color blind but there is no way
you'll get totally neutral prints under various lighting conditions
unless you want to find a way to print without the yellow ink (and
there IS a way but I digress...).

Andrew Rodney said:

Ever since learning about all of this, I feel pretty jipped by
Epson.

Click to expand...

Then send back the 2200 you hate so much, get your money back and
buy something else.

Don't you have better things to do than start an email blast that
will do NO good? Why don't you write to the President on Iraq or do
something constructive. You can download the GB software from some
European site. Do that, play all you want with GB and move on.
Epson isn't going to put the toothpaste back into the tube.

--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

Click to expand...

--
Cristian

Ignore Andrew. He's one of the "consultants" who advised Epson not to include the Grey Balancer software. Having made a mistake, he's now on a quixotic quest to justify it.

You can get the software. Download it from the Epson French site. Then go to i-photo and download a program that translates the French into English. You'll need a grey card but that's easily obtained.

Then write a note of thanks to Epson for making it all so easy. Better yet, call technical support and waste a half hour of their time asking why you didn't get it in the package (only kidding).

DSC

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does
Epson try to hide this!

Click to expand...

--Help! Failed French in school. Can you walk through the download ?
Thanks, Ben

I've read through just about every post and article I could find before posting this. That was partly the reason why I wanted to try something because it seemed so many others felt the same way.

Last time I checked, the french gray balancer was for pc only? Is this a different one? I don't think the one I saw was from the French Epson site, just a french site.

What do I need to get for a reference card? That's why I haven't installed it yet - because it's worthless without a matching gray card.

Andrew, I never said anything about not liking the printer. I love the printer. [begin sarcasm here] But it's just a matter of wanting to completely open my soul to it. I don't feel that my 2200 - that's Mrs. Sparkles to you - is offering me everything she can. She's holding back. I want a complete relationship. I don't want to go European, there's always the trouble with passports and the currency. I think maybe she was abused by some higher-ups and decided to come out timidly. So I'm just an advocate for her so she can release her full potential. And Andrew, I think you might have been an abuser. Leave that FireWire port alone!

Donald Cooper said:

Anderw,

If anyone is in need of a reality check it's probably you. You made
a bad mistake in advising Epson not to include the grey balancer
because you're clearly out of touch with the customers, as
demonstrated by how the vast majority of members of this forum have
responded.

Click to expand...

Oh yes, at least a few dozen of the tens of thousands that purchased the printer. It's amazing how so few people think they represent the masses. But whatever...

Member said:

Why not leave it alone and stop drawing attention to it?

Click to expand...

I WAS drawing attention to the FACT that you CAN get GB on the European site and that sending emails to Epson will do nothing but waste you time (as you seem to agree that Epson isn't going to budge).

Member said:

(And if you haven't figured out by now that it was a mistake from a
marketing perspective if not a technical one then you're just plain
butt stupid).

Click to expand...

No, I haven't seen that to be the case, nor has Epson or the thousands of customers that are happily printing away on their 2200s.

Member said:

But yes, Epson NA is sticking by their decision.

Click to expand...

Yes so what's the point of sending an email blast? You can get the software. Use it, don't use it, whatever.

Member said:

corporate ego or planning at work. Just chalk it down to ill-will.
Hopefully, next time they want an opinion they'll ask someone with
a clue.

Click to expand...

I'm sure you're on the top of Epson's list with all your qualifications.

Member said:

But in fact you can get the grey balancer fairly easily if you want
it: Go to Epson's French site, download it, then download a program
from i-photo which translates the program into English. Viola --
you have the grey balancer.

Click to expand...

I said that two posts ago...
--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

Cristian Baitg said:

Why not to complain? Maybe because with GB ImagePrint will loose
a lot of potential buyers.

Click to expand...

If you think that's the case, you know very little about either product! But so what? The two have nothing in common. One is a total print environment. The other is a "utility" (I'm being kind), that is supposed to help make your prints neutral.

mastix said:

if they finally sell B&W ink they will have this section
of the market for many years. And this wonderful software for
500$....well...

Click to expand...

You really think that? Of the 6000 printers sold in one month, be honest and tell me how many you think would sell if this unit ONLY printed B&W? Do you really think Epson would bring to market a unit that could at best only sell 100 a month? Do you think Epson today is incapable of producing a printer with only black inks OR they simply don't see the market being viable enough to sell the volume they need to make money. Be honest. Really think about how many photographers there are that can support this market.

Epson has the technology to give you what you want but do you have enough like minded consumers (photographers or otherwise) to sell the volume necessary?

--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

LOL, good one Jonathan. Maybe that's what Andrew needs... a little humour in his soul. I wonder if he's always been such a sourpuss. Again, ignore him.

The GrayScale card I have is:

Kodak Color Separation Guide and Gray Scale (Large) Cat 152 7662

Once you see how the GrayBalancer works you'll be able to adjust values to suit your needs and wants.

Davidk

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I've read through just about every post and article I could find
before posting this. That was partly the reason why I wanted to try
something because it seemed so many others felt the same way.

Last time I checked, the french gray balancer was for pc only? Is
this a different one? I don't think the one I saw was from the
French Epson site, just a french site.

What do I need to get for a reference card? That's why I haven't
installed it yet - because it's worthless without a matching gray
card.

Andrew, I never said anything about not liking the printer. I love
the printer. [begin sarcasm here] But it's just a matter of wanting
to completely open my soul to it. I don't feel that my 2200 -
that's Mrs. Sparkles to you - is offering me everything she can.
She's holding back. I want a complete relationship. I don't want to
go European, there's always the trouble with passports and the
currency. I think maybe she was abused by some higher-ups and
decided to come out timidly. So I'm just an advocate for her so she
can release her full potential. And Andrew, I think you might have
been an abuser. Leave that FireWire port alone!

Click to expand...

Andrew:

I don't advocate for a dedicated B&W printer but for epson B&W inks like MIS or Piezo. You know that here (DP and other forums like Yahoo B&W digital print....) the interest in printing in B&W is quite big.

Of course you cannot compare to colour print but I would think there is a market there. The casual user is not getting the 2200 there are other cheaper options with great colour results. As far as I read here a lot of people jumped after 2200 because of their archival use and the fact that for the first time you get quite decent results with it printing in monochrome. I have not the 2200 ( My machine is the designjet 10 ps) and plan buying 2200 only as my dedicated B&W printer. So far I have seen some prints of friends. I like them although we have not arrived yet to the quality of a traditional print. But it's getting close. I think with special inks the quality could be as good as a chemical copy.

I don't know, may be I am wrong, may be you are. If someday Epson comes out with grey inks we will see their demand. I would love that it could be a succes. More users would love this too. Enough that Epson can make a profit out of it??????? I hope so.!!

Andrew Rodney said:

Cristian Baitg said:

Why not to complain? Maybe because with GB ImagePrint will loose
a lot of potential buyers.

Click to expand...

If you think that's the case, you know very little about either
product! But so what? The two have nothing in common. One is a
total print environment. The other is a "utility" (I'm being kind),
that is supposed to help make your prints neutral.

Andrew Rodney said:

if they finally sell B&W ink they will have this section
of the market for many years. And this wonderful software for
500$....well...

Click to expand...

You really think that? Of the 6000 printers sold in one month, be
honest and tell me how many you think would sell if this unit ONLY
printed B&W? Do you really think Epson would bring to market a unit
that could at best only sell 100 a month? Do you think Epson today
is incapable of producing a printer with only black inks OR they
simply don't see the market being viable enough to sell the volume
they need to make money. Be honest. Really think about how many
photographers there are that can support this market.

Epson has the technology to give you what you want but do you have
enough like minded consumers (photographers or otherwise) to sell
the volume necessary?

--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

Click to expand...

--
Cristian

Just wondering if the printer 2100 is sold in Europe with the Grey Balancer software included, could you download it from English(United Kingdom) site instead of French so we don't have to translate back to English. Can we do that? Anyone knows?
Dan

Donald Cooper said:

You can get the software. Download it from the Epson French site.
Then go to i-photo and download a program that translates the
French into English. You'll need a grey card but that's easily
obtained.

Then write a note of thanks to Epson for making it all so easy.
Better yet, call technical support and waste a half hour of their
time asking why you didn't get it in the package (only kidding).

DSC

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does
Epson try to hide this!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Andrew Rodney said:

I'm sure you're on the top of Epson's list with all your
qualifications.

Click to expand...

Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha ha .......... What a crack-up!

Since you have no idea either what my qualifications are or what I've been responsible for it strikes me as odd that you feel you can speak so authoritatively on the subject. Then again, having very strong opinions on topics about which you know little or nothing seems to be one of your specialties.

So what's next for you? Perhaps running the Coke focus group that finds everyone wants New Coke? Oh, how could I forget! You've done that. Now you're off telling everyone how the focus group was perfectly correct and that the masses are simply uninformed. Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ..........

Wake up and smell the coffee. You missed the boat. Plain and simple.

If you go over to the Photo-I site, you'll see that there is a newly releasd English version (apparently as I haven't uninstalled the French version for the English), but it's a link to a Russian site I believe. Anyways, the UK site has no Gray Balancer link to download from... none that I've found through numerous searches.

Alternate to the Kodak card is to get someone who has the 9600 to order you a replacement Gray Balancer chart... the part number is listed on the informational PDF file found on google for the 9600. It is a spare part, don't know if it's at all available, but it's listed as a consumable that can be ordered, I assume because it's a piece of card stock that might get damaged from use.

Mane

From this link:

http://www.fujihunt.com/fuji/fujihunt5.nsf/files/PDF%20Files%20-%20Brochures%20Digital/ $file/9600_7600Brochure.pdf

Options
C12C815182: Manual Cutter Unit**
C12C815192: Manual Cutter Spare Blade
C12C811092: Roll Feed spindle 2 inch †
C12C811102: Roll Feed spindle 3 inch †
C12C811093: Roll Feed spindle 2 inch (high tension) †
C12C811103: Roll Feed spindle 3 inch (high tension) †
C12C823912: EpsonNet 10/100 Base Tx Int Print Server 2
C12C823914: EpsonNet 10/100 Base Tx Int Print Server 2
C12C823915: EpsonNet 10/100 Base Tx Int Print Server 2
C12C823723: Type-B IEEE 1394 Interface Card
C12C844061: Stand †
C12C815231: Manual Cutter Unit †
C12C811151: 2/3 inch Dual Roll Feed Spindle**
C12C811152: 2/3 inch Dual Roll Feed Spindle (high tension)
C12C811161: 2/3 inch Dual Roll Feed Spindle †
C12C890071: Maintenance Tank
C12C815241: Auto Cutter Spare Blade

C12C890091: EPSON Gray balancer Reference Chart

C12C815251: Auto Take Up Reel**

Tried the new download, and still in Russian... so no go there. Also, I was remiss in not suggesting a European site for the Reference Chart... someone in Europe may be able to get it for you or you might find someone selling it in Europe in the near future.

Mane

Hi all,

Andrew and co will be little upset I imagine to know that the Grey Balancer is up on Kazaa.com. I noticed it there for a while yesterday evening. As far as I remember the file name was greybal.zip. It appeared to be the English version along with the pdf manual as well.

Barry

Jonathan Natiuk said:

I found a way to email Epson about 2200 technical support. Boy does
Epson try to hide this!

EVERYONE who wants to see the U.S. market get the same package as
the rest of the world's 2100 please send an email complaining to
Epson.

For those who don't know, Grey Balancer is a combination of
software and reference charts that helps you calibrate your B/W
prints so that they can be totally neutral. Those who have tried it
swear by it. Unfortunately for some reason, Epson has decided not
to include this with the 2200 in the U.S.

Also, if you care, the 2100 comes with a tray that allows you to
print on printable CD-Rs.

Ever since learning about all of this, I feel pretty jipped by
Epson. If you do as well, do the following: Go to
http://support.epson.com/ ...
... printer/inkjet/pho22_ troubleshooting.html
and click on Epson ER
Select "I don't have a problem. I need the latest driver." and
click Continue
Then in the Other Options box you should see Email Technical Support.

NOW LET "EM HAVE IT

Jonathan

Click to expand...

Can you download it and make sure it's in English? Also, are there 2 seperate versions of GB? PC & Mac? If so, then it would seem destined that the one on Kazaa is PC seeing as there's only 1 Mac Kazaa client that I know of (and a little buggy at that.)

Barry Foster said:

Hi all,
Andrew and co will be little upset I imagine to know that the Grey
Balancer is up on Kazaa.com. I noticed it there for a while
yesterday evening. As far as I remember the file name was
greybal.zip. It appeared to be the English version along with the
pdf manual as well.

Barry

Click to expand...

Barry Foster said:

Hi all,
Andrew and co will be little upset I imagine to know that the Grey
Balancer is up on Kazaa.com.

Click to expand...

I'm super happy. You guys get your software and more importantly, Epson doesn't have to deal with it one bit! Getting a copy up on the web, outside of ANY support from Epson was what I recommended MONTHS ago (and to Epson). As long as Epson doesn't have to worry about this razor blade, I'm a happy camper.

--
Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net

That's fine by me! Why can't they just do this then? Make it available but with no support. That's fine. I do understand now that GB doesn't do anything more than profiling. But, it does it well and would be very handy to have around. It comes down to the principal behind it too - one market gets it but it is decided that another won't.

Did you see Epson's reply on another post? Here it is:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1013&message=3507672

I gotta say, my prints on the Archival Matte paper come out pretty damn neutral using nothing special, just the provided profiles. So the reason and fix for getting my Luster and other paper to be neutral is just be a profile tweak to get red of the every so slight warm tone?

Question: if instead of the No Color Controls, I choose Color Control with Gamma 1.8 (which I am running), and just tweak the Magenta down, would that give me the same result as NCC only with the Magenta tweak? Or is it a whole 'nother ball game?

Thanks,
Jonathan