Digital BW, The Print

I'm assuming you really want good prints instead of a good spec'd
printer. If so:

Having over a hundred prints from others, I belive print quality is a
funtion of
1) user skill in capture, scanning and printing
way behind is 2nd place:
2) camera optics and film
way farther behind that is:
3) scanner and printer hardware selection

Any of the printers you mention will do. Instead emphasize lots of
time shooting, developing, scanning and printing while concentrating
on learning along the way. Just make sure your dollar (and time)
budget leaves lots of room for film, developer, paper and ink. 

One suggestion: buy the printer that most people have success with.
You want to be making good prints using established easy workflows
instead of helping develop them for the latest printer model. 

FWIW, I wouldn't trade my 1280 for anything on your list. It just
makes very good prints for me. But others do well with other models.

Bob Michaels
 
--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, SMuncy
<smuncy@n...> wrote:
> I need some help with printer specs for B&W printing. From this list, it
> seems that people are getting good results using a variety of
printers. The
> 4000 and 2200 seem to be considered the current big guns.
> 
> When I look at the Epson Specs(reference at the bottom), the R800
has the
> highest resolution and the smallest droplet print head. It would
seem to me
> that the R800 would provide the smoothest gradations and the finest
> patterns.
> 
> I am sure there is more to fine B&W printing than the specs would
indicate.
> If black only works well I would be most interested as it would seem
easier,
> but I am not opposed to multi-ink configurations.
> 
> Could someone explain what I should be looking for or direct me to a
proper
> website?
> 
> Thanks so much
> 
> 4000
> 17inch
> 7-color individual ink cartridges
> 2880 x 1440 dpi resolution
> 3.5-picoliter ink droplets
> 
> 2200
> 13inch
> 7-color individual ink cartridges
> 2880 x 1440 dpi resolution
> 4-picoliter ink droplets
> 
> R800
> 8inch
> 8-color individual ink cartridges
> 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution
> 1.5-picoliter ink droplets
> 
> 1280
> 13inch
> 6-color 2 ink cartridges
> 2880 x 720 dpi resolution
> 4-picoliter ink droplets