Dang!

[AdamW]

So I got a great deal on an Epson R800. (Refurb - $45 Epson store credit + tax = $101 for an MSRP$399 printer.) I ordered it last week, and I've been getting excited about being able to make my own high quality prints. This will be my first real photo printer. It arrives today, I open the box, and there's a big-ass crack in the case, about 6 inches long!:mad:

Oh well. I call Epson and, to their credit, they do the right thing: a new unit will be sent out tomorrow by 2nd day air, and they email me a call tag to ship the broken one back. So I should get the replacement on Friday.

Not the end of the world, I know, but I don't do delayed gratification well.

[forno]

So a new printer for refurb money:D

[AdamW]

So a new printer for refurb money:D

No, I was unclear. Not a "new" unit, but replacement refurb unit. New to me.

I don't mind refurbished stuff, I've bought it before (like my Canon 100mm macro, and my Airport wifi router) and it's always worked out great. I figure the stuff has been checked out more thoroughly than regular stock. I just don't like to wait.:p

Although as I was on hold with Canon service, listening to Muzak, I was thinking that if they were out of refurb R800s, I'd offer to graciously accept an 1800 instead.:D

[adam75south]

i LOVE my r1800. if your r800 is anything like the r1800 you'll definitely be happy. does that thing take pigment ink?

[AdamW]

The R800 is often called the R1800's "little brother." I spent a lot of time at the Epson site, and as far as I can tell, the only difference is that the R1800 can print larger sizes. That's it. I don't have space for a larger unit, and if I want big prints I can use MPIX, now that I've got that whole thing figured out.

I was gonna ask you, Adam, about paper. I don't like very glossy papers 'cause I think the reflected light makes it difficult to see that photo. I've already got a bunch of Heavyweight Matte, and I'm gonna try the luster. But what have you found? Which papers do you prefer for color prints? How about black & white?

While I'm at it, two more questions. Do you use the ICC profiles from the Epson site and soft proof in Photoshop? Also, any other tips on getting the best results?

[adam75south]

yea i downloaded my profiles from epson. although i'm about to look into media street's continuous ink system and red river polar satin paper, there's a guy on potn that swears by them..and he already sent me his custom profiles.

right now, i've got the best results from the premium glossy paper. the matte is just kinda bland. other than what came with my printer(premium glossy and heavyweight matte), i've bought office max premium glossy(which had no profiles for the r1800 or anything for that matter), and the epson glossy profile works perfect for it. and yes, i soft proof with photoshop and it's freakin amazing how close it comes out the what's on the screen.

the three that i've heard the best reviews for are....
epson premium luster(rediculously expensive)
red river polar satin(a little cheaper than luster)
ilford smooth pearl paper(cheapest of the three)

other than that, i follow the directions in the book that came with the printer for my printer settings and everything works out as it needs to.

[AdamW]

Sweet. Thanks for the info.

Is it Friday yet? I want my new toy--err--printer!!!

[griptape]

I've actually seen better results from an Epson than I have from our Fuji lab with bigger prints. As someone who works in a 1 hour lab with Fuji's large print service, I can say anyone printing 4x6's at home are wasting money, but anyone doing larger prints will probably be happier with the bigger Epson.

[AdamW]

Got it!:D

I set it up and ran a single print. Out of the box, with no tweaking, the image looks very good. It's a little dark and a little yellow, but this thing does wonders on Epson Luster paper. I love it.