Digital BW, The Print

>... looking for advice to help me choose between two A4 printers...

>... dedicated B&W ... My choice is between an Epson R220, which I
>would have to purchase, with either the MIS UT-R2 or UT-3D inks 

This is a well tested and much liked little printer.  (I have yet to receive
a production 3D inkset for verification.  It should arrive this week --
hopefully matching what I mixed.)

>or a spare, unused, R800 I have in my loft, probably with MIS UT-3D inks.

This is untested and not recommended.   

(In theory, I'd love to have a tiny dot, no midtone crossovers, and more ink
spots, but from what I've heard the technology isn't quite ready.)

>I will be printing on both matt and the newer fibre based gloss papers.

Either the R2 or 3D inks will do it.  The R2 is better for glossy with PKN
installed.  (There is a specific one for the 220.)  The 3D can do excellent
blacks with the its midtone inks. 

>Common sense suggests the R220 as I will be properly up and running much
>faster,

Concur.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com