Digital BW, The Print

http://www.pma-show.com/hp/004_designjet_90.html

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Andre"
<am1000@v...> wrote:
> 
> http://www.pma-show.com/hp/004_designjet_90.html

Hmmm, noone answered. I still wonder if the HPs are generally to be
considered as inferior to the Epsons. I want to buy a large format
printer this year, and being an amateur a 7600 or even a new Epson
4000 is a lot of money for me. 

Has someone used the HPs with success, also for b&w printing? 

In the end I dont really care if the longevity is 70, 200, or "only"
10 years. Peronally I doubt if anyone can stand the same print on his
or her wall for more than a few years. 

One thing I have doubts about is whether there is support by the RIP
software for the HPs...

regards, Bernie

Bernie-

IMO you get what you pay for.  HP made their inroad with low-end
high-ink-cost printers a long time ago.  True, Epson gives away some low end
stuff, but they are a much smaller company, so don't play the HP game ona
large scale.

In the large size printers Epson is a late comer, but the 2200/4000 filled a
gap between desktop and the large roll feeders.  And, their inks are known
for what they do and don't do.

Whether desktop or large scale, MOST (professional) photographers I know
choose Epson.  Must be a reason somewhere.

Seth

==-----Original Message-----
==From: Bernie Ess [mailto:albatros-@...] 
==
==--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Andre"
==<am1000@v...> wrote:
==> 
==> http://www.pma-show.com/hp/004_designjet_90.html
==
==Hmmm, noone answered. I still wonder if the HPs are generally 
==to be considered as inferior to the Epsons. I want to buy a 
==large format printer this year, and being an amateur a 7600 
==or even a new Epson 4000 is a lot of money for me. 
==

Bernie,

>I want to buy a large format printer this year, and being >an amateur a 7600 or even a new Epson 4000 is a lot of >money for me.

With Epson's end-o-fiscal year deals, you can get a new Epson 4000 for about the price of an HP DesignJet 130 without the roll feed mechanism.

> Has someone used the HPs with success, also for b&w printing?

The only HP I've printed B&W on is a 7960; reported as providing excellent B&W. I'll leave that argument to others, but, for my money, it doesn't come close to my Epson 2200.

>Peronally I doubt if anyone can stand the same print on >his or her wall for more than a few years.

Excuse me? I've had B&W prints by John Sexton, Alan Ross, Fred Picker, and other photographers (including yours truly) hanging on my walls for years! I never tire of 'em.

Alan Huntley