Digital BW, The Print

>I'm looking at the Epson 1280 and 2200; 
>they both print the size I want and I can get the MIS inks for them, too.
>The price difference has me leaning toward the 1280 
>but if there is significant improvement by going with the 2200, 
>I would consider that option.

>Any advice you have to offer will be appreciated.

I've been out of the loop lately, so I apologize if I'm repeating things.
Since I have both running side-by-side here, let me add my 2 cents worth.

For standard matte prints, the results are visually equal, although the 2200
is a bit faster.

There are, however, several reasons I prefer the 2200.

For cheap, artifact-free glossy prints, the 2200's ink load adjustment
allows a noticeably better dmax on Epson Glossy Photo Paper.  The 2200, UT7
ink, and this cheap glossy paper make a great combination for glossy,
non-archival prints.  Unlike pigments on the more modern and expensive
papers with "micro-porous" coatings, no post-printing sprays are needed on
Epson Glossy Photo paper to hide the bronzing -- because there is none to
speak of.  (Whether Wei T'o deacidification spray can make these prints
archival is an open and very interesting question.)

The ink load adjustment and light black ink make the best prints on
non-coated papers, like Arches Hot Press (not their overpriced inkjet
paper).  For limited artistic reasons some may prefer this uncoated paper.
I see very little impact from the light black ink except for this situation.


For those who really get into the inks, the separate ink carts of the 2200
allow custom ink arrangements very easily.  If one does not like sepia
prints, for example, the LC ink can be put in that position, making the easy
(no curves and grayscale file) prints more neutral.  I really appreciate the
separate tanks.

The 2200, being made for pigments as opposed to dyes, seems to be more
reliable in terms of having a perfect nozzle checks regularly -- and even
after having sat for a month without use.  This could be, of course, just
the particular printers I have.  However, the pigment printers do have
noticeably more built-in cleaning cycles.

I suspect the newer Epson printers are more consistent in their production
tolerances, making the canned curves and profiles more likely to work well
without fine tuning.

At any rate, both printers can do a great job.  These are just some factors
that come to mind that may or may not apply to your situation.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com