Digital BW, The Print

Hi Dave:

I think that both printers do a great job on both matte and gloss  
papers. Obviously, there is the difference in width, so if you plan  
to make many prints over 17 inches in width, you might also consider  
the Stylus Pro 7800 since it uses the same inks and a similar driver  
to the R2400. The Z3100 takes up much more space than an Epson 3800  
and requires clearance behind the printer if you want to print on cut  
sheets, unlike the Epson Stylus Pro printers which can be placed  
right up against a wall.

If you are familiar with the Epson workflow and ABW, then that is  
something important to consider. Also, the Z-series printers require  
you to select your paper choice from the machine, which is an extra  
step, and it is sometimes necessary to line up the paper with a line  
on the front of the machine after an initial roll or cut sheet paper  
feed to get the paper to load successfully. The built-in calibration/ 
linearization on the Z3100 works very well, and can save you from  
purchasing additional hardware/software to calibrate and profile if  
you want that extra control. The gloss enhancer feature is really  
impressive on the Z3100, significantly reducing bronzing and  
virtually any unevenness in ink laydown on most of the semi-gloss/ 
gloss paper combinations I've tested.

The black and white performance on both printers is stunning.

If you can find a printmaker (or a few photographers) who own the  
machines in the area, it might be worth having a few tests done. I'd  
also check wilhelm-research.com for the longevity ratings of  
different ink and paper combinations.

Hope that helps,

Andrew Darlow

---------------------------------------------------
Andrew Darlow
Editor, The Imaging Buffet
http://www.imagingbuffet.com
Chief Cook: http://www.bigdiner.com


>





> > On 5/3/07, David Keenan <ausdlk@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > I was about the pull the trigger on an Epson 3800 but I am now
> > > considering
> > > the HP Z3100 (24" version) to have the long-term option of  
> making much
> > > larger prints. The Z3100 sounds like a very impressive machine  
> and there
> > > is
> > > $1300 in rebates available at the moment.
> > >
> > > I am a relatively long-time user of Epson 2200 and R2400  
> printers. I am
> > > primarily a black & white print maker and have been extremely  
> satisfied
> > > with
> > > the ABW mode on the R2400.
> > >
> > > I know that there is a considerable price difference between  
> the 3800 and
> > > Z3100 but in some ways this is an apples/oranges comparison  
> when it comes
> > > to
> > > price.
> > >
> > > If others have made the Epson --> HP conversion, I'd like to  
> hear about
> > > your
> > > experience. And also anyone's experiences with the HP printer 
> (s) in
> > > general.
> > >
> > > Dave.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Web Site: www.david-keenan.com
> > > 2007 PAW: www.david-keenan.com/paw
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > -------------------------------------
> > regards, mehrdad
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
> 






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]