tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post3310350433737039022..comments2024-02-12T03:21:03.402-08:00Comments on Ron Martinsen's Photography Blog: Epson Stylus® Pro 4900–First Impression Reviewronmartblog.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-17446956201249784852013-04-16T16:31:36.076-07:002013-04-16T16:31:36.076-07:00Charlie,
Did you see this article? http://www.ro...Charlie, <br /><br />Did you see this article? http://www.ronmartblog.com/2011/08/understanding-epsons-printable-area.html<br /><br />On a separate note though, borderless on canvas doesn't make much sense because the borders should be glued/stapled down on the stretcher bars anyway. ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-56272399801230110772013-04-16T13:58:05.740-07:002013-04-16T13:58:05.740-07:00Hi Ron,
Really hate to take you back to the border...Hi Ron,<br />Really hate to take you back to the borderless printing question. I am trying to print borderless on 17 inch roll canvas. My image size is 17.25 x 24.25 on a custom page defined as 17x25. I'm printing using the "Borderless Roll Retain Size" option. I think this setup is what the manual specifies. The printed image produced has a 3/16 margin on the left side (as facing the printer). If I print using the Auto-Expand option (and scaling the image as per the specification in the manual) then I do get coverage to the edge of the page, but the image is still not centered on the page and the image is resized in an undesirable fashion. Any suggestions?<br />ThanksCharlienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-78247243321264181202013-01-22T18:18:56.820-08:002013-01-22T18:18:56.820-08:00HI, I'm back; did some "homework" th...HI, I'm back; did some "homework" there is a local place that have 9880 for use - they do not print for you). My 15x42 will cost at least $100 depends on how much time I use the equipment (mac will take me much longer than PC!). On canvas - at least 140!<br />Yes, I stated that even when using the 4900 ink beyond the expiration date it too expensive. WHAT IS THE LONGEST TIME THAT IT IS OK TO USE THE CARTRIDGES in terms of quality (not that you finished it)? I don't believe that I'll use enough of the ink to justify the cost!<br />I have a furniture to put it on that I use & need. for the 9800 etc I have to get out two furniture that I need and don't have where to move to and still it won;t fit comfortable.<br />I need to paint the room I guess the solution is to paint around...<br /><br />If I'll plan on Printing the long ones out, I can get the 3880; it's excellent quality uses they use Epson UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta Ink . 9 Vs 11 but very rarely, images with specific color, the difference is noticeable. It;s much cheaper and so is the ink. I know professional photographers that print on the 2800/2880.<br />the 9800 has 10 but 3 different black,<br />The consideration about the long prints: if I can do it at home I'll do it much more then when I have to give out.Cushihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249859892036172269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-72306431443536817252013-01-21T20:54:50.679-08:002013-01-21T20:54:50.679-08:00They state that the ink is good for 6 months only....<i>They state that the ink is good for 6 months only.</i><br /><br />Ha, ha - yes, you are right - they do. However, I don't know of anyone in their right mind that throws their ink away based on the expiration dates. I also haven't noticed any harm in going well beyond the expiration dates. I think the 6 month date is a case of lawyers being cautious as Epson has already been through some painful ink related ligation. <br /><br />Yes, the 4900 makes gorgeous images and yes you are correct that the 7900 is a monster. It's excellent, but it's huge. <br /><br />I have my 4900 on the floor - seriously. I didn't even bother solving the problem on how to elevate it. It has a very solid chassis - just likes its bigger brothers the 7900 & 9900, so if you have something that can support its weight you should be fine as the printer itself shouldn't shake on a stable platform.<br /><br />How often are you really printing long images? If the answer is a lot then go for a 7900 if you plan to stay with Epson. If the answer is on occasion, then your local Epson dealer will generally accommodate the occasional print job for their printer customers if you just ask. <br /><br />If you aren't buying local, then just network around on forums and you'll find someone with a 4900 who would most likely charge you a nominal fee (especially if you bring the paper and icc profile) to print your longer images.<br /><br />Ronronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-17989488188895193362013-01-21T19:12:01.560-08:002013-01-21T19:12:01.560-08:00Hi Ron, thanks for your response.
It's true th...Hi Ron, thanks for your response.<br />It's true that the 4900 ink is cheap per drop, however, the 4900 takes 11 cartridges at $99/ea = $1089. If I could use the ink for several years until I finish it (of course not all at once)it would have been worthwhile.<br />They state that the ink is good for 6 months only. Even if doubled to a year, as a single user I'll only use a portion of the ink.<br />I do not do heavy duty printing but I have compositions that are long and I would like to be able to print them as well as long, custom sizes. <br />the Canon iPF6400 sounds great; it would be great to have 24" printer. Therefore, I looked into the 7800/7900. Besides the fact that I can get a brand new 4900 for $1,150 and the canon is at least $2700-$3000 , it & the 7xxx are huge; I am not sure that I can accommodate one of them.<br />The 4900 is an excellent printer. But it's a pain. I have not yet resolved the issue of a very stable piece of furniture that can be moved. I even looked into casters that are used for MRI & Mamography where slightest move isn't acceptable and it shook.<br />If I go to the 3880 which is only 43lb and the ink is x3 cheaper, how will I have long images printed?<br />This is really a headache!<br />Thanks a lot<br />Cushihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249859892036172269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-18278683398101634052013-01-21T17:19:54.563-08:002013-01-21T17:19:54.563-08:00Cushi,
Who misinformed you that the cost is $1100...Cushi,<br /><br />Who misinformed you that the cost is $1100 every six months? You'd have to be doing a heck of a lot of printing to go through all of the ink in 6 months.<br /><br />The 4900 uses large ink cartridges that are expensive to replace, but the reality is that they last a long time and they don't go out all at the same time. I've replaced about 3/4ths of my original ink cartridges that were installed in March of 2011.<br /><br />Personally I prefer the 3880 for doing sheets and the 4900 for doing rolls, but unless you often do big panos most of the time you'll find yourself preferring flat sheet paper over roll paper due to curling issues with better roll papers (not a real issue with thin or cheap papers).<br /><br />Large ink cartridges are a HUGE savings in the long run because you aren't replacing ink very often and your cost per print goes way down. For example, my Canon PRO-1 printer uses small cartridges that last between 4 - 6 months so at first their $432 cost sounds much better than the cost for the 4900, but I would have replaced them at least 4x+ times during the same duration that I've owned the Epson 4900. <br /><br />These aren't consumer printers, so honestly ink isn't your big expense. It's really the paper that cost you the most over the long haul. <br /><br />With that said, if you have the space I much prefer the overall cost of ownership and ease of use of a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/895855-REG/Canon_5339b002aa_imagePROGRAF_iPF6400_24_0_Printer.html/BI/2071/KBID/2787" rel="nofollow">Canon iPF6400</a>. I've never had head clogging problems, its easier to use and its great with sheet paper (except you do have to eject the roll which is annoying). ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-43173167549277217972013-01-21T16:38:43.636-08:002013-01-21T16:38:43.636-08:00to Ron
I was planning on buying the 4900 for the c...to Ron<br />I was planning on buying the 4900 for the capability to print rolls, until I realizes the the ink cost is $1,100 per six months! Even if for a little longer, as a sole user I won't use even a small part of the incredibly expensive ink. The 3880 is a very good printer but doesn't print roll. DO you have any suggestion? Thanks a lot<br />Cushihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249859892036172269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-78456504975246783182013-01-21T15:44:04.036-08:002013-01-21T15:44:04.036-08:00Hi Anonymous,
1433 is a print head needs to be re...Hi Anonymous,<br /><br />1433 is a print head needs to be replaced error right? It shouldn't cost more than the cost of the printer to replace the heads, so I'm wondering what Epson Advanced Tech Support said when you reported this issue?<br /><br />If you had 4 out of 5 that needed replacement, then I'd think there are one of two things happening here:<br /><br />1. A tremendous amount of full-time printing has just worn the heads out (they will eventually wear out, but an average service life is something like 5 to 7 years IIRC). <br /><br />2. Your source for these printers sold you printers with heavily used heads. <br /><br />Something sounds very suspicious here. <br /><br />Who is your retailer? Who was your source for a repair quote and how much did they quote to replace the head?ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-18870372912609285882013-01-21T12:43:16.310-08:002013-01-21T12:43:16.310-08:00Have you experience error 1433 with your Pro4900? ...Have you experience error 1433 with your Pro4900? Our department bought 5 in June 2011. By Dec 2012, 4 out of 5 printers need head replacement at a cost of $2110 each. Now we own 4 very expensive door stop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-69770809604441420972012-06-19T15:18:50.414-07:002012-06-19T15:18:50.414-07:00The Matte/Photo Black when using plain paper is in...The Matte/Photo Black when using plain paper is indeed a major PITA. Had I known that before I bought it, I would have chosen something else (like the Canon). With that said, what I do is to simply tell it I'm using some photo paper. I manually set for speed and not quality and print away. I usually have a ream of ANSI B plain paper loaded for quick prints (line drawings and text). For regular prints I use roll photo paper. I rarely ever use Mate Black on the 4900 (I have an old 9600 just for that).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-35950423308035375442011-10-19T15:29:30.787-07:002011-10-19T15:29:30.787-07:00REM,
It's with great regret that I must repor...REM,<br /><br />It's with great regret that I must report that <a href="http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=FAQ&oid=171983&prodoid=63089641&foid=177020" rel="nofollow">the 4900 does not support true borderless for cut sheet paper</a>. If you are annoyed, you are not alone. <br /><br />You can get borderless with rolls though.<br /><br />Ronronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-80231855193667210882011-10-19T15:26:28.461-07:002011-10-19T15:26:28.461-07:00how do you get a borderless print on 17 x 22 paper...how do you get a borderless print on 17 x 22 paper? every thing I try leaves an 1/8" gap on the left and an 11/16" gap on the right.REMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11743425510760724736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-69571037977714162172011-08-25T19:45:07.205-07:002011-08-25T19:45:07.205-07:00From your review I understand I would have to manu...<b><i>From your review I understand I would have to manually change from Matte Black to Gloss Black ink.</i></b><br /><br />Sorry for the confusion, but this is where things are a little tricky with the marketing material. <br /><br />The 4900 doesn't have dedicated lines for its matte black and photo black inks so they must be switched when you go back and forth. HOWEVER, 3880 and newer (like this 4900) will do this switch without you haven't to get your hands dirty. You can have both inks inserted in the printer and it will automatically drain the line and recharge it with the appropriate ink. This process takes between 2 and 4 minutes depending on which ink it is switching to and it does waste ink.<br /><br />The whole process can be done while you sit at your desk - no human intervention involved.<br /><br />Does that clear things up for you?<br /><br />NOTE: Printers like the Canon iPF6300 have one line for each of their inks so it doesn't have to do this ink swap dance and it can (and will ) use both matte black and photo black as needed on any given print job with no delay.ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-43666358336492319232011-08-25T19:02:45.554-07:002011-08-25T19:02:45.554-07:00From your review I understand I would have to manu...From your review I understand I would have to manually change from Matte Black to Gloss Black ink. <br />The other reviews I have read say they are all installed and the 4900 does this automatically.<br /><br />Which is correct?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-41067119227036946812011-08-01T02:58:59.550-07:002011-08-01T02:58:59.550-07:00Hi Cushi,
Great questions.
1. If you are a photo...Hi Cushi,<br /><br />Great questions.<br /><br />1. If you are a photographer, you do not need the designer edition. It's the same printer, but it includes bundled software that you will not find useful as a photographer.<br /><br />2. That's a valid concern and sadly the reality is that you need a couple of dudes who can handle carrying 115 lbs (even a super strong single guy couldn't handle it due to its physical size). <br /><br />If you can't find someone to help you them I'd highly recommend paying B&H for their White Glove delivery where you can get it put in its final resting place. It's worth it as the medical bills for trying to move this beast by those who aren't strong enough aren't worth it. It feels A LOT heavier than 115 lbs too because of its large size. <br /><br />I'd suggest painting first if the thought is in your head as you'd probably have to cover it and paint around it if you decided to paint later. Moving it won't be an option unless the brutes you used above will help you again.ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-84175663474300422942011-08-01T02:11:43.366-07:002011-08-01T02:11:43.366-07:00I am considering buying the Epson 4900
1)What can ...I am considering buying the Epson 4900<br />1)What can the Epson 4900 Designer Edition do that the regular printer can not? For what purposes would one need the Designer Edition?......<br /><br />2)I am concerned how will I get this monster into the house and to it's designated location? I don't know how to handle it when I'll need to move it for painting the room / house. Any suggestions?......<br /><br />Thanks a lotCushihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249859892036172269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-85776017944120809242011-07-30T00:35:00.651-07:002011-07-30T00:35:00.651-07:00Sorry, i've been behind on processing comments...Sorry, i've been behind on processing comments on the blog - my apologies for the delayed response.<br /><br />Don't get me started on the whole paper sizes and frames thing - my blood boils. <br /><br />I have no clue why the printer, paper, camera, and frame makers can't unite to create sizes that - brace yourself - all use the same aspect ratio! That would be too logical. <br /><br />Personally, 8x12, 13x19 and 16x24 are my favorites - i could see larger sizes so I could have these plus some extra space around them. The reason why I like these sizes is because they match the aspect ratio of digital camera images these days.ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-2420836940070623662011-07-27T17:12:05.976-07:002011-07-27T17:12:05.976-07:00One additional question: why are so few of Epson&#...One additional question: why are so few of Epson's papers in 11x14 and 16x20? I like printing in those sizes because it's easy for people to find those frame sizes (plus, from an aesthetic/symmetrical point of view, I think an 11x14 looks better than than an 8x12); if I add a border to prints those sizes I'm still able to frame without going up to the next larger size. It seems that if I want to take advantage of these sizes I need to use roll paper (and a printer that can cut) ... yet, I see that Moab, as an example, offers lots of papers in these sizes.Carl Blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606867382883121071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-13021655958884408932011-07-27T16:01:16.389-07:002011-07-27T16:01:16.389-07:00Okay, thanks. That's good to hear your impress...Okay, thanks. That's good to hear your impressions of the Epson samples ... now if I can only find a table big enough to hold the 4900!Carl Blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606867382883121071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-36559351090602838402011-07-27T14:55:48.391-07:002011-07-27T14:55:48.391-07:00Great question!
My opinion about the 4880 remains...Great question!<br /><br />My opinion about the 4880 remains, but that's because at that time the 4900 hadn't come out yet. This is a much better product than the old 4880 so I recommend it for those who need 17" roll or larger capacity job support. <br /><br />I'll share your feedback with Epson about the samples. Honestly I don't think any of the samples really do the printers the justice they deserve.ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-79713125454323588112011-07-27T12:54:14.113-07:002011-07-27T12:54:14.113-07:00Hello:
I believe in your review of the 3880, you ...Hello:<br /><br />I believe in your review of the 3880, you recommended, ideally, that one skip the 4800 and move up to the 7/9 series. Given your preliminary review of the 4900, do you feel the same about the 4900? More specifically, how much difference do you see between your 4900 prints and 7/9 series?<br /><br />One other point you might ask your Epson contacts: I ordered sample photographs from the 3880 and 7/9 series printers, and felt that the 3880 example didn't do justice to what I've read about that printer. The 7/9 samples were large and looked fantastic. The 3880 samples were much smaller (8x10ish) ... and one appeared, to me, at least, to have that somewhat cartoonish look that some high dynamic range photos have. I don't have the room (nor really the need) for a 7/9 series, but the 3880 samples didn't generate excitement for me. Also, I wanted to get a 4900 sample but, at least as of a few months ago, Epson wasn't sending out any.<br /><br />Anyway, very much appreciate the series on printers (as well as about B&H's 1k rebate on the 4900!)Carl Blaisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606867382883121071noreply@blogger.com