Epson R1800 or R2400?

I'm getting ready for a small exhibition. I'd like to print some 11x14 and 13x19. I currently use an Epson R220 on Ilford Smooth Pearl. I tend to prefer the matte look. I will not be printing B&W. What advantages does the 2400 have over the 1800?

Thanks

Scott

Since you prefer matte paper, then I would choose the 2400. Reason being it has the matte black ink, where the 1800 will print fine on matte paper but your quality I feel will be better on the 2400 using matte black which will give you richer blacks on matte paper.

Marty's right. The R1800 does not appear to perform particularly well on matte papers, showing "poor color definition in darker greens and blues on matte papers as well as reduced color range." (quoted from Dry Creek Photo in discussing the R800 and R1800 here: http://www.drycreekphoto.com/Learn/prin ... _media.htm)

The 2400, on the other hand, performs very well on matte papers. Note that most places don't sell an 11x14 paper size, with the exception of Red River papers. 11x17 is more common. You can get 11x14, of course, by printing on 11x17 and then trimming.

Note that if you plan to do a lot of printing, you should consider moving up to the 3800. Once the amount of inks that it ships with are taken into account, the 3800 costs only about $130 (USD) than the 2400. Furthermore, the inks for the 3800 cost less per mL and you won't have to change them as often (because they are 80 mL instead of 17 mL). The only feature disadvantage of moving up to the 3800 is that it doesn't have roll paper support, but if you only plan on using sheets anyways, it doesn't matter.

Eric

I think I made a mistake in describing my prefered paper. I don't think I know what matte paper actually is. Is Ilford Smooth Pearl really a matte paper? If not, could I expect the 1800 to perform well on it?

Scott

The smooth pearl is a polymer based, resin coated paper (e.g. not matte, which is usually coated cotton or maybe wood based). The pearl is akin to luster type RC paper. The 1800 will do very well with it. Cheers!

The R1800 is great on luster-type papers such as Joe noted above. If you really want to print matte, you should get the 2400. I use the R1800 with luster papers and the gloss optimizer and love the result. With matte papers, the R1800 has produced inconsistent results. Some photos look really nice. Others don't look so nice. One photo recently that had dark greens in the background simply would not print acceptably on the R1800. A friend printed it for me on the 2400 and it looked great.

If you go to Epson's website I think you can get a side by side comparison of the different features of each.

My wife and I have a portrait studio that specializes in family and children. We have the 1800. It does Ok for small stuff in a pinch. If my memory serves me correctly I think that the 1800 was more suited to glossy papers according to their website. The 1800 has the glosser...not sure if the 2400 uses that also or not.

The 2400 is a little more money but I think I would hold out for that.

The R1800 has the so-called "gloss optimizer" which helps to minimize gloss differential and bronzing on glossy and luster papers.

Eric