Digital BW, The Print

I've been using the 4800 for about 5 weeks, having moved up from a 2200. So far all of 
my printing has been monochrome using the Epson inks with Photo Black and printing 
through the Advanced Black and White (ABW) feature of the Epson driver. I've been 
extremely pleased with the output on Premium Semi Matte paper. For the first time I feel 
that I am matching my fiber prints on Agfa Classic paper. I surmise, from other comments 
on this forum, that the paper handling characteristics of the 4800, which seem excellent, 
are a substantial improvement over the 4000, its predecessor. I believe that the color 
output from the 4800 is similar to that of the 4000, which is very good (I have done some 
color printing on the 4000). I also gather that printing on the true matte papers, for 
example the art papers, which requires the use of the Matte Black ink is about the same as 
that of the 4000. In other words, the real improvements have been with the Photo Black 
printing on glossy papers. On the 4000 it required the use of a third party RIP, such as 
Quad Tone Rip or Image Print, to get good output on the matte papers. I am not clear 
whether the ABW feature on the 4800's driver is a good substitute for these RIPs on matte 
paper. At any rate Quad Tone Rip and Image Print are both available for the 4800. I like 
the printer a lot. Good luck with your decision.

Richard Goldman