Digital BW, The Print

I'm trying to decide which printer to get for black and white printing -- 
probably with Pizeogaphy, and definitely with matt paper & ink.

Most advice I get sends to to the Epson 1280.

Others say get the Epson 2200, and perhaps the ImagePrint RIP as well.

And others aay go with Canon i9800.  (I believe the Pizeography support for 
this printer is coming soon.)

What do YOU say?

- - -

A few notes and other questions:

If the 2200 with its regular ink set is fine, then I'd have the advantage 
of not needing to dedicate one printer to B&W.  Or ... is that a false economy?

I'm also looking at color printing, and trying to balance the brilliance of 
a dye based ink on the 1280 or i9800 vs the pigment ink on the 2200 with 
its greater longevity.  How significant are these differences?  Is there 
THAT MUCH more brilliance, or more longevity?

Right now all I've got is an Epson 1520, which would not be the printer of 
choice for any of this.  So my choice will not be based on inertia, but on 
what is truly best.

Have any of you been to the workshps that Cone Editions offers?  Should I 
go to one of these before investing in equipment (and, more importantly, in 
my time trying to get good results from that equipment)?  Or would I be 
better prepared if I've spent time tyring to get it right, knowing that I 
lack some knowledge and understanding.

Are any of you near Portland ME?

  A r t h u r   F i n k   P h o t o g r a p h y
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  Peaks Island, Maine 04108 · arthur@...