Re: [photo-3d] Epson printers

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jim Harp wrote:
> I'm considering buying an Epson ink-jet printer to print anaglyphs
> and perhaps some stereocards on Epson "film".  In the B&H catalog I
> see several printers, #580, 777, 880 and 980 which all seem to have
> identical image quality specs (2880 X 720 dpi).  As the model
> numbers get higher, the number of nozzles increases and the printing
> time decreases.  Is there any difference in the image quality
> between these models?  One reason I'm considering Epson is that I've
> read about some lenticular interlacing programs and custom black and
> white inks that have been designed for these printers.  Are there
> other factors I should consider, or other recommended models in my
> under $300 price range?  Jim Harp
> 

None of the printers you list are in Epson's Photo line up.  The Photo
printers use six inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, Light
Magenta).  Unlike the HP printers (which include the printer heads in
the ink cartridge), the Epson heads are part of the printer.  This
means that you want to print regularly so that the nozzles don't get
clogged.  There is a test utility to check for clogged nozzles.  If
they do get clogged you can run a head cleaning utility, but it's
better (less wasted ink) if you don't have to.

I have an Epson Stylus Photo 750.  It's a nice printer, but I hate
having it hooked up to my wife's Win95 PC.  The PC offers very little
control of the printer (compared to what I'm used to).  No, I'm not
going to buy Photoshop just to drive a printer.  Eventually I'll move
the printer to my UNIX box and she can print to it across the network.
Epson still sells the 750 for $149.

The other sub $300 Photo options are the Epson Stylus Photo 870 and
875DC and the Epson Stylus 1160.

The 870 and 875 only differ in their paper feed mechanism.  The 875
will print on continous rolls of paper in a manner similar to a photo
lab processor.  There are a couple of caveats with the 870 printers.

These printers (and the 1270) were tested and marketed as being
archival.  (In fact they were tested for permanence, but people call
it "archival".)  Unfortunately the test environment (simulated museum
display and storage) did not match the real world home environment.
Some people (not all) have had serious fading problems after only a
short time.  Eventually Epson offered a "buy back" program while they
worked on the problem.  I don't know if the "buy back" program is
still in effect for new purchases.

The newer printers also have an electronic chip in the ink cartridges.
Epson uses this to count the number of nozzle firings, and there by
indirectly estimate the ink level in the cartridge.  A side effect of
this is that there are no third party inks for the "chipped" printers
(last time I checked).  If you plan on only using Epson inks this is
not a problem.

The 1160 prints on larger paper than the other printers, and is
supported by the Pieziography ink set.  It is a 4 color printer.  If
you don't need larger than 8x10 or third party inks there's no real
advantage to this printer.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx              | "Oooh!"
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds  |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
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