Wide Format Printers

K

kilsbm

Suspended / Banned
Messages
170
Name
Matt
Edit My Images
No
I'm looking to get a wide format printer so that I do my own larger, more dramatic framed images and panos, and bigger canvas wraps. Looking at the HP Z3200 or the Canon ipf6100, both 24". (Discounted Epson as I wanted to avoid clogging and excessive ink usage when cleaning - this is just a hobby for me at the mo, will not be printing every day).

Be interested in feedback from you all on any input. Don't see alot of feedback on printers here but hopefully there are a few of you who own one or the other.

From what I have researched so far (by no means fact just my interpretation from what I've read). By all accounts image quality on both very good (I am getting samples), so as to pros/cons:

Pros 3200:
- Inbuilt spectrometer for custom profiles on any paper.
- Already have a HP 9180 and happy with output.
- Some say better for black and white given 4 dedicated black/gray inks.
- Although more expensive than Canon some good deals at the moment with free inks (complete set) and paper.
- (relatively) cheap print head replacement.

Cons 3200:
- Seems to be more info on various forums with faults etc (is this because there is wider ownership of 3100/3200 ?)
- Previous issues with starwheel marks on 3100, although seems solved in 3200.
- Mixed feedback on HP support although does seem to be more a case of getting past 1st line to a specialist.
- Fan can be noisy when in standby
- Relatively new - is it fully bug free / bedded in.
- Needs to use gloss optimizer to avoid bronzing

Pros ipf6100
- Faster
- Great user community on the Canon ipfWiki
- Better with single sheets (maybe not an issue as I plan to keep 9180 for smaller work)
- No starwheels, suction based.
- Automatic roll cutter works with canvas (does not on the HP ?)

Cons ipf6100
- Less flexible for custom paper (e.g. paper paths locked out for some media types etc)
- Although it does calibration (like HP 9180) no spectrometer for creating custom ICC profiles.

Cheers
Matt
 
I have / and have used extensively Epson 7800 and HP z3100/3200, You say you want to avoid head clogs on epsons, thats easy keep the humidity and temperature within the specified limits and you wont suffer from head clogs, as for a cost per ml of ink you will also find that the Epson is better in this field too (info has been accumulated over approx 18 months) this also takes into account cleaning cycles of both machines.
You also have discounted what people are saying is the best machine out there the new Epson 7900 with its wider gamut ink set, I have had access to one for around a month now and its looking to be very good.
I would say an Epson 7800 run through a rip produces better prints than the HP z series even when that is run through a rip. I wouldn't let the spectrometer in the HP sway you too much, as when we run a profile with it the resulting profile isn't s good as our stand alone profiler, but its nice to have, most paper companies will do you free custom profiles when using their paper.
The gloss optimizer does a good job on the HP but if your printing lots of large gloss prints get a stock of them in as they run out quick.

if your not going to be printing a lot of images as you say it may well be a very costly solution to buy a LF printer, when their are good printers out their, you can get a lot of prints for £2-3K.

You dont just need test prints you need to go and have a play with them as well, did you go to focus ?. if not arrange a day at a resellers so you can get to grips with everything on each printer and decide from their.

At the end of the day its your choice.

Mark
 
Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the new Epson too.

Good advice on getting to play with the printers as well as looking at prints - I wasn't at focus so I'll find a reseller in the Surrey area - any recommendations ?

cheers
Matt

mho said:
I have / and have used extensively Epson 7800 and HP z3100/3200, You say you want to avoid head clogs on epsons, thats easy keep the humidity and temperature within the specified limits and you wont suffer from head clogs, as for a cost per ml of ink you will also find that the Epson is better in this field too (info has been accumulated over approx 18 months) this also takes into account cleaning cycles of both machines.
You also have discounted what people are saying is the best machine out there the new Epson 7900 with its wider gamut ink set, I have had access to one for around a month now and its looking to be very good.
I would say an Epson 7800 run through a rip produces better prints than the HP z series even when that is run through a rip. I wouldn't let the spectrometer in the HP sway you too much, as when we run a profile with it the resulting profile isn't s good as our stand alone profiler, but its nice to have, most paper companies will do you free custom profiles when using their paper.
The gloss optimizer does a good job on the HP but if your printing lots of large gloss prints get a stock of them in as they run out quick.

if your not going to be printing a lot of images as you say it may well be a very costly solution to buy a LF printer, when their are good printers out their, you can get a lot of prints for £2-3K.

You dont just need test prints you need to go and have a play with them as well, did you go to focus ?. if not arrange a day at a resellers so you can get to grips with everything on each printer and decide from their.

At the end of the day its your choice.

Mark
Click to expand...
 
I cant help with anywhere down south sorry.
 
I would seriously suggest looking at the Epson 7800 or 7900 with the K3 inks. We've got a 7600, 7800, 9600 and 9800 here at work, and I am mightly impressed with how far the inks go and the results we get from them. :)
 
I was looking into a wide format printer recently and the Z3200 fits the bill for me. epson can GTF with their changing of carts
 
Hey Guys,

I picked up an Epson 7000 pro in pretty much new condition with a full set of inks and a stand for a mere £600 including delivery. I print mainly for myself and friends/family. Replacement cartridges can be had for £20 and are said to be colour identical to epson inks.

I think this printer is fantastic and have had many a good response to my prints. I cant comment on any of the other printers though.

Hope this helps.
Steve.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top