Just wanna brag a little...

[cdifoto]

This is the first time I ran my Epson R2400 through what I would call a "real job". I've already done a couple one off 11x14s which were stellar, and a few 4x6 snaps which were also excellent.

This time I ran 18 4x6 inch prints from Colleen's August wedding (yeah she FINALLY ordered - $560 above and beyond the packaged included) on the roll. I arranged 3 wide and 6 high and just let it print. It took less than 6 minutes and they look sweet!

My next job will be a longer one (probably 10 or 12 high if I can) but I need to get my 2GB upgrade installed because the software lagged somethin' awful when I started the print job. The memory shows up later today so I'll update with the results of that longer job later.

Just thought I'd mention this to my fellow shooters.

[cwphoto]

From a guy who really has no idea when it comes to home-printing I would be very keen to follow your travels here.

Please keep us posted mate.:)

[ReF]

This is the first time I ran my Epson R2400 through what I would call a "real job". I've already done a couple one off 11x14s which were stellar, and a few 4x6 snaps which were also excellent.

This time I ran 18 4x6 inch prints from Colleen's August wedding (yeah she FINALLY ordered - $560 above and beyond the packaged included) on the roll. I arranged 3 wide and 6 high and just let it print. It took less than 6 minutes and they look sweet!

My next job will be a longer one (probably 10 or 12 high if I can) but I need to get my 2GB upgrade installed because the software lagged somethin' awful when I started the print job. The memory shows up later today so I'll update with the results of that longer job later.

Just thought I'd mention this to my fellow shooters.

just wondering, are you running the epson profiles, a RIP, or custom?

[cdifoto]

just wondering, are you running the epson profiles, a RIP, or custom?

I'm using the Epson profiles. No complicated setup so far. I'm only printing on Epson's Premium Luster and Premium Glossy papers anyway. The roll is Luster.

[ReF]

I'm using the Epson profiles. No complicated setup so far. I'm only printing on Epson's Premium Luster and Premium Glossy papers anyway. The roll is Luster.

alright. thanks

[noyjimi]

I want that printer! <drools>

Have you compared the color of the output to the screen? On my lowly R220 (which I keep for emergencies, really), I always have to +magenta to get it closest to a calibrated monitor. Using Best Photo, Premium Glossy, Color Controls, Epson Standard, Gamma 1.8 and no other options selected except for +some magenta. If I send the same file as-is to someone like SmugMug (with no enhancement option selected), the color is dead-on with the screen and real life.

Also, do you put a paperweight to keep the rolled paper flat after printing?

[cdifoto]

I want that printer! <drools>

Have you compared the color of the output to the screen? On my lowly R220 (which I keep for emergencies, really), I always have to +magenta to get it closest to a calibrated monitor. Using Best Photo, Premium Glossy, Color Controls, Epson Standard, Gamma 1.8 and no other options selected except for +some magenta. If I send the same file as-is to someone like SmugMug (with no enhancement option selected), the color is dead-on with the screen and real life.

Also, do you put a paperweight to keep the rolled paper flat after printing?

Most of the prints are dead on to my screen. My Elco prints are actually farther off than the Epsons are.

I have a stack sitting under my steel toolbox as we speak. lol. Gonna try a reverse-roll technique I read about next though.

[Ray Schnoor]

This is the first time I ran my Epson R2400 through what I would call a "real job". I've already done a couple one off 11x14s which were stellar, and a few 4x6 snaps which were also excellent.

This time I ran 18 4x6 inch prints from Colleen's August wedding (yeah she FINALLY ordered - $560 above and beyond the packaged included) on the roll. I arranged 3 wide and 6 high and just let it print. It took less than 6 minutes and they look sweet!

My next job will be a longer one (probably 10 or 12 high if I can) but I need to get my 2GB upgrade installed because the software lagged somethin' awful when I started the print job. The memory shows up later today so I'll update with the results of that longer job later.

Just thought I'd mention this to my fellow shooters.

I decided against the R2400 since I rarely/never print in B&W, but if it is anything like the output of my R1800, I certainly know what you mean by "sweet" prints.

Ray.

[adam75south]

i've been thinking of getting a printer also. i probably won't though, but it's cool to see you're happy with it.

[cdifoto]

Seems the printer can only do a 44 inch job at a time, so I'm limited to 21 4x6s per run. However the 2GB of memory lagged the computer a LOT less when starting it. Took about 18 minutes but I also increased the quality setting. Still not bad, IMO, and the ink cartridges are averaging approximately 25% remaining, after doing 3 11x14s, ~15 8x10s, ~10 5x7s, and ~60 4x6s. Some inks are still at 50% and I had to replace the light magenta due to the color scheme of her wedding. Lots of maroons and reds.

~ means I lost track...not all prints were from this wedding.

Obviously not the cheapest way to run prints but you don't buy your own printer to reduce total costs. You do it for convenience, speed, accuracy, and total control.

I figure if I have approximately $143 in total costs for an $800+ order of prints $98 for a set of inks, $45 for a 13"x32' roll of paper), that's not too bad if it lets me get them to the customer faster and have complete control of my operation. It's not like I'm selling prints at Wal-Mart prices.

[forno]

Sounds like things are really starting to come together for you Don:cool:

[cwphoto]

Sounds like things are really starting to come together for you Don:cool:

Was just about to say the same thing.:)

[cdifoto]

I did some calculations to figure out the exact usage costs on this machine. Unfortunately I don't remember how many 4x6s or 8x10s I ran off on a personal basis (snaps of my nephew, the portraits my sister purchased, for the hell of it prints, etc) so this is a high, conservative estimate. I also had to eyeball the ink levels and guess how much of each color was used, figuring a percentage of the cost of a new cartridge to be the value of the ink used.

Based on a low estimate of 4299 square inches printed so far, and the ink used, it works out to about 2.3 cents per square inch. That means a 4x6 inch print costs 55 cents to print, a 5x7 80.5 cents, an 8x10 $1.84, and an 11x14 $3.54.


I have NOT included paper in this calculation simply because I have both glossy and luster and they each costs different amounts depending how much you buy and how you buy it (roll, precut, etc) Roll-only luster paper is about a penny a square inch, working out to 22.5 cents per 4x6, 32.8 cents per 5x7, 75 cents per 8x10, and $1.44 per 11x14.

So if you only ever print Epson Premium Luster Rolled Paper a high estimate for a 4x6 is 77.5 cents, $1.13 for a 5x7, $2.59 for an 8x10, and $4.98 for an 11x14.

Hope this helps anyone interested. It appears the smaller the print, the less cost-effective it is. I probably wouldn't go this route if I was only ever printing family snaps, but with someone else footing the bill it's not a bad alternative to sending away, in my opinion. There's wiggle room even with my industry-low a-la-carte prices.

[JMWallace]

ALLLLLLLRightythen...note to self....add epson printer to 'wish' list.

That sounds REALLY good Don. On pricegrabber.com I found it for as low as $741.97. Sounds like for the price of the unit and supplies it's a very worth wild expense!

My pro-photog friend has the Stylus Pro 4000 and thinking of stepping up to the 4800. He LOVES that thing and swears by Epson.

Jeff

[cdifoto]

ALLLLLLLRightythen...note to self....add epson printer to 'wish' list.

That sounds REALLY good Don. On pricegrabber.com I found it for as low as $741.97. Sounds like for the price of the unit and supplies it's a very worth wild expense!

My pro-photog friend has the Stylus Pro 4000 and thinking of stepping up to the 4800. He LOVES that thing and swears by Epson.

Jeff


Yeah I got mine for about that, shipped free from buydig.com. It's commercially feasible even for a smaller printer (ie not the big 4800 and 9800 where ink is actually cheaper in the long run).

[aparmley]

Thanks for the post Don. Unlike Ray, I love black and whites and thats why I can't make a decision. The price of the R1800 is about as high as I'd like to go on a printer, but those K3 inks make the R2400 one of the best B/W printers out there and I know I'd use it for plent of black and whites. . . But, the price is too rich for me. . . Unlike you this would be for personal use. . . with the likelihood that I'd print some images and frame them for some craft fair sales in the near future. Damn this world damn it! I have only about $5000 in camera purchases I want, an engagement ring purchase, and about $5k in home improvements to make, a new car in the future and a new home. . . LMAO. I'm screwed. I'm not going to be able to buy anything outside of home repairs and downpayments until I'm 35 probably. . .See ya guys in about 8 years! :(

[cwphoto]

Hey Andy, the good gear will come - at least you're a decent photographer!:D

[cdifoto]

Hey Andy, the good gear will come - at least you're a decent photographer!:D

Yah no doubt. Me n Andy are on opposite ends of the gear/skill spectrum...


....and no Andy, you can't have my gear! :eek: ;)