Digital BW, The Print

Hi, 
Using a 2200/UT7 right now, I nevertheless want to get a wide format
printer during this year. As I am not a professional photographer I
have to look at the prices seriously and I must say that a new 7600 is
almost too much for my budget - as there is so much more expensive
stuff in photography that needs/ wants to be bought all the time.

Now the options Epson give me right now are the 4000 and the 7600.
Given the fact that since several years Epson dominated the market for
serious prints of archival photographic prints, I feel that the prices
are higher than they should be and - BTW - I also feel that the 4000
is a much too big and heavy machine for the A2 format. There should be
a printer exactly like the 2100, just wider. 

But am I wrong feeling that times start to change for Epson? 
1. HPs relatively new DJ 130/ DJ 90 (summer 2005) line of printers
with agressive pricing and try&buy policies.

2. Canon comes out - finally - with wide format printers: 
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/pie-show.shtml
Interesting enough, Canon seems to offer the photorag roll paper for
their printers, which suggests that this combination is at least
working - something which seems more unclear for the DJ130 line.

Both brands have lower prices than Epson - and finally start to offer
solutions that can be called archival. I also welcome that the DJs are
much smaller that a Epson 4000 or 7600. 

Of course there are many issues to be thought of. For Epson a wide
aftermarket has established: Black/ grey inks with CIS systems,
shareware or very affordable RIPs (QTR/ Bowhaus) that make neutral BW
available.

Also, the Epson inks somehow still inspire more trust in terms of archival
qualities than the dye inks of HP and Epson. 

So what I think is that the situation just *starts* to change - it
will take some time before serious print makers will be able to trust
in the HP/ Canon solutions. But those companies seem not be willing to
leave the market over to Epson alone.

Which can only be good for us, the printer people.

What are your thoughts?

regards, Bernie