Hi Patrick:
If you want a printer with pigment-based inks that will last longer
on matte, semi-gloss, gloss and canvas, I would go for the Epson
3800. The Designjet 90gp is great for printing 18x24 inch (or longer)
prints on swellable papers (Ilford Galerie Classic Pearl or HP's
Premium Plus Satin Photo Paper prints really look like pearl-surface
C-prints in my opinion.) The 3800 is limited to 17 inches wide.
The matte performance is not that great in my experience on the DJ90,
and there are issues with premature fading on most matte papers. Most
DJ90 prints are also not water-resistant, unlike the 3800, which,
when paired with many papers, offers water-resistant prints. Coating
the DJ90 prints with Premier Art Print Shield can improve water
resistance a lot.
I would guess (not scientific), based on experience with the DJ90 and
3800 that the running cost for the HP with regard to ink cost is less
than the 3800. The DJ90 is extremely frugal with ink use.
For fine-art print sales, galleries tend to prefer pigment-based
prints, and you can find the Epson 3800 refurb on Epson's clearance
area for $1000.
Hope that helps,
Andrew
---------------------------------------------------
Andrew Darlow
Editor, The Imaging Buffet
http://www.imagingbuffet.com
Author, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques:
An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers - http://
www.inkjettips.com
I
On Feb 2, 2008, at 11:51 AM, Patrick Kealey wrote:
I am in the process of purchasing one of the two, and would like to
have some feedback to help in the decision. I would use the printer
for B&W as well as color. I have the QTR program that would be useful
with the epson. I have used an Epson 2200 with the MIS carbon pigment
inks and QTR and pleased with the results, but the machine is dying of
old age and I want to print 16x20 or larger panoramas.
Thanks - Patrick
