Epson R2400 vs HP 9180?

Just wondering what the general consensus is, here. I'll be printing mostly in color, but will print 10-15% in B&W - so I would like good B&W quality (I know the R2400 is renowned for this).

Any general feedback? I can get the two printers for nearly the same price (the R2400 is $599 for refurb on the Epson site).

I was in the same situation. I did some research and ordered the 9180 yesterday. As for quality, the differences seem to be marginal but the the nozzles of the Epson supposedly tend to clog after a while and you have to exchange the black cartridge if you switch from glossy to matte paper. I found this review quite informative: http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/printe ... age_1.html

Good luck,
Axel

Keep in mind that the Epson can use 13" wide roll paper. With the HP you are limited to cut sheet paper up to 13"x19" . FYI

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/cons ... y=Products

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm ... 43049.html

Both superb for both color and B&W. Can't go wrong with either. Obviously this statement doesn't help you make a choice, so here are some things you may or may not be aware of ...

- The HP inks have a better long-term longevity, though Epson is no slouch

- The HP inks cost quite a bit more

- HP avoids clogging (as Axel noted above). Epson can clog from time to time, though there are many R2400 uses who encounter no clogging at all. It depends.

madmanchan, it's the "It depends." comment that concerns me most about the Epson. The seemingly random nature of the clogging problem is what bothers me. I don't use a printer professionally, so it will get used once or twice per week at most.

The cost of the HP inks also is of concern, though it seems like if compared to a Epson with the clogging issue, it may be cheaper in the long run due to all the ink used in the cleaning process.

I'm going to read that review tonight if I have time. Thanks for posting that link.

the HP cartridges are larger (27ml vs 13ml for Epson). Over here the price of HP ink is about twice the Epson, so costs per ml should be about the same. Take a look at photo-i.co.uk, it has an interactive review of the 2400, 9180 and Canon 9500 right now.

The HP can do lenghts up to 44", there is no roll paper holder however, you'll have to use the manual feed.

I'm a bit bias but I have seen some great prints out the the B9180... I am going to get one soon as I run out of ink for my 7960

After 6 years of using Epson printers (1280 and R300) here in Colorado I think relative humidity plays a role in printer clogs. I have always had to do more cleaning cycles during dry times. I finally put in an automatic humidifier which helped. After 2 years of heavy use the Epson R300 died, I bought an Epson RX580 which was terminally clogged right out of the box (even after dozens of cleaning cycles over two days) and returned for a full refund. Two days ago I set up a new HP B9180 and HP D7360 without a hitch. The online reviews of the B9180 were spot on-I set it up to print via my home network (ethernet) without difficulty. In my experience HP printers just keep working like my HP Deskjet (circa 1988) which still prints in the basement. Epson had pro photo to themselves for a time but now HP is an option to look at. There is a $100 rebate available on the HP B 9180 and Amazon offered a 25 sheet box of 13 x 19" HP Hahnemuhle Smooth Fine Art Paper ($67 value) for free with B9180 purchase.

Jim

You're all definitely swaying me toward the HP...

vinman wrote:You're all definitely swaying me toward the HP...

and me too !

I received the HP B9180 two days ago (I paid $579). So far I'm quite impressed with the quality of the prints. Does anyone have some advice as to what kind of paper works best? I have ordered Red River Polar Satin but it won't be here before Monday.

Good luck with your decision(s)!
Axel

I have been a huge Epson customer in the past, and although most of my printers are Epsons, I have the B9180 as my 'small' printer. I would choose the B9180 over the R2400 in a heartbeat, mainly because of better paper handling and less clogging.

Initially, the higher ink cost scared me a little with the HP, but with more than double the capacity per cartridge, less clogging (therefore less ink wasted), and lower overall cost for the printer, I think I may order as soon as the initial shock from the new computer (and peripherals) wears off...

I just bought this printer ( HP B9180 waiting to receive it) and am finally happy after 6 months of going back and forth between epson and hp...I have finally come full circle with my photography. Here is a good review of the printer from luminous landscapes...sorry if this review is a repost...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/revie ... 9180.shtml

c.w. moynihan wrote:I just bought this printer ( HP B9180 waiting to receive it) and am finally happy after 6 months of going back and forth between epson and hp...I have finally come full circle with my photography. Here is a good review of the printer from luminous landscapes...sorry if this review is a repost...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/revie ... 9180.shtml

I'm sure you will like it. I'm very happy with the results. I had to calibrate my monitor though so that the colors in Photoshop and the prints would match.

Axel, I'm headed up your way tomorrow afternoon (well, sort of - Boston). Where did you take the dovekie photo? I know it's summer, but I'm taking a boat ride out anyway and hope to get some nice pelagics. I'll be in Boston until next Wednesday.
Thanks for your input on the printer thing. I'm probably going to get the HP sometime in a month or two.
Vince