Epson ET-8550
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myotis
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I would have a look at Keith Coopers YouTube channel
Keith Cooper
Keith's photography, cameras, lenses, printing, reviews and how-to videos [100% AI Free] Hi, I'm Keith Cooper, an architectural and industrial photographer (Northlight Images) I also provide training in photography and modern photographic techniques to individuals and companies. Bespoke...
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You may of course already been there, but he is very enthusiastic about it, and has videos and web pages with reviews, setting it up help, various tests and best practices.
And yes, I'm pleased with mine, but not much to compare it against.
It's not properly "archival" but for me, who doesn't see a photograph as a photograph until it's a print, the running costs make this a bit of a dream machine..
realspeed
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I use an Epson XP-970 which prints up to A3 size via the back feeder. Had the 960 version for about 10 years until it gave up.it uses 6 different colour carts as well. cost just over £200. Never had any colour or print issues with it
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Thanks, but I was asking specifically about the 8550, which has ink tanks, not cartridges/
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Thanks for this. Yes, I’m already ploughing my way through his videos. He’s certainly positive about it.I would have a look at Keith Coopers YouTube channel
Keith Cooper
Keith's photography, cameras, lenses, printing, reviews and how-to videos [100% AI Free] Hi, I'm Keith Cooper, an architectural and industrial photographer (Northlight Images) I also provide training in photography and modern photographic techniques to individuals and companies. Bespoke...
You may of course already been there, but he is very enthusiastic about it, and has videos and web pages with reviews, setting it up help, various tests and best practices.
And yes, I'm pleased with mine, but not much to compare it against.
It's not properly "archival" but for me, who doesn't see a photograph as a photograph until it's a print, the running costs make this a bit of a dream machine..
Box Brownie
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I have one and though I don't print too many photographs, it does a damned good job.
FWIW as Hahnemuhle recently published ICC profiles I bought a couple of sample packs from Fotospeed as they were on an offer price....to try them out.
Also, of the few B&W I have printed following Keith Cooper's guide have been excellent, though and it might be paper dependent the surface does show scuff marks.
FWIW as Hahnemuhle recently published ICC profiles I bought a couple of sample packs from Fotospeed as they were on an offer price....to try them out.
Also, of the few B&W I have printed following Keith Cooper's guide have been excellent, though and it might be paper dependent the surface does show scuff marks.
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Thanks for this, especially the comments re b&w.
stevewestern
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Yup, I've got one and think it's brilliant. So very cheap to use that I rarely print anything smaller than A3 and I've had a fair few positive comments on print quality at my local camera club. I've never owned a better printer - it's by far the most expensive one I've owned but also by far the cheapest one to own.
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Thanks. It seems t.o be buy expensive, buy once. My order has gone in.
stevewestern
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I'm sure there was another thread about the 8550 but can't find it at the moment..
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Update to this. I decided to take the plunge, and yesterday late afternoon ordered one from Digital Photo Solutions at a good price. It has just arrived and I’m in the process of unpacking it and watching all the videos Northlight has published on YouTube. Thanks to everyone for your comments.
jamiewednesday
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I bought one last year with a double (retailer and Epson) discount from photo show. Bought it because it looked like it would do all I needed at a vey decent price. In retrospect it would have been a great buy at normal rrp. It’s an excellent bit of kit imo. Still on first set of ink too..
We have a smaller A4 ET-3850 as a 'family' inkjet for day to day printing and scanning. Great bit of kit, fast and reliable, so far we've only had to buy 1 new ink bottle, the others are still ~ 1/3 full (I think my wife needed to print a lot of work documents with a coloured banner / background which used a lot of the one colour.
Not tried using for photos as I have a Canon A3+ photo printer.
Not tried using for photos as I have a Canon A3+ photo printer.
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I've already got an ET-2746, which is what prompted me to get an A3+ Epson when my Canon A3 started playing up. In fairness I've owned it for a good few years and I bought it second-hand.
tijuana taxi
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I had a good look at this on the Epson stand at the last photo show.
The running costs sounded very economical compared to my old Canon Pro 10.
Did wonder though performance wise how its six colours would compare to the ten in the Canon?
The running costs sounded very economical compared to my old Canon Pro 10.
Did wonder though performance wise how its six colours would compare to the ten in the Canon?
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From reports, yes, side-by-side you may be able to discern a difference. But a print on its own? Especially at normal viewing distance I would doubt it very much.
tijuana taxi
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That's what I expect too.
I have a Canon IP8750 with six inks, prints are a bit less punchy than the Pro 10, but some of that is probably the Chroma Optomiser.
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I have an ET-8550, and I'mreally pleased that for the first time I can make black and white prints with no colour cast (Permajet Matt Ultra 240, Epson Print Layout, which I rather like, and ABW). I have posted 5x7 postcards in colour and black and white to destinations across the world, without envelopes. The colour one apparently arrived with a white spot (I ask for feedback), which I've not been able to duplicate (I thought it might be water, but tests indicate otherwise). The b&w was fine apart from a bit of scuff, next time I'll wait a few days before posting... but I think you can agree that's a pretty extreme test!
Part of the reason for using EPL is that Capture One Pro appears to be a bit bonkers on margins; it's really hard to centre the image.
Barely discernible impact on ink levels so far.
I wish there was a programmatic way to make the output tray go in. I keep coming downstairs and finding it sticking out and printer on standby. Cue various fiddling to get the panel to turn on, then more to get to the home screen when the tray can be closed,
I also found a reference in one of the panel menus to closing the rear input tray (I think it was while loading paper, which is bonkers). Anyway I took some paper out and tried it, nothing happened.
Part of the reason for using EPL is that Capture One Pro appears to be a bit bonkers on margins; it's really hard to centre the image.
Barely discernible impact on ink levels so far.
I wish there was a programmatic way to make the output tray go in. I keep coming downstairs and finding it sticking out and printer on standby. Cue various fiddling to get the panel to turn on, then more to get to the home screen when the tray can be closed,
I also found a reference in one of the panel menus to closing the rear input tray (I think it was while loading paper, which is bonkers). Anyway I took some paper out and tried it, nothing happened.
Box Brownie
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Thanks for that insight experience
For fear of stating the obvious, the tray will extend when printing and the paper awaits removal and it would be unwise to close the tray if the paper was not removed.
Yes, it would be an ideal to be able send an instruction to close the tray as needed.