Excellent for Digital Darkroom
Written: Nov 07 '03
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Excellent print quality and resonable speed
Cons: Big beast, expensive feeding and clogs easily
The Bottom Line: The print output simply can not be beat in the price range
|
|
|
| Wybnormal's Full Review: Epson Stylus Photo 1280 |
This printer is one of Epson's best printer for the home digital darkroom. However, there are a few caveats that I will get to in a minute.
The printer is well made and the technical specs are detailed in other reviews. Suffice to say that the Epson 1280 is very flexible with borderless printing and roll printing. The printer takes many different types of paper without too much troubles. I have run various Epson papers through and many fine art papers such as Lumijet and Osprey without any troubles. The ink is ok.. not as opaque as some aftermarket inks but very usable for the average and above average print. I always "fix" my prints with a light spray of Premier Print Art Shield and I have had zero fading issues with my prints. The black Epson ink gives nice but not exceptional B/W prints.
The controls of the printer are very simple and easy to use. I use the USB interface and have found it to be somewhat picky. Do not attempt to use a passive USB hub with the printer, it seems to be a requirement that you use a active or powered USB hub if needed. The included software is not exceptional but usable. I have used to the Epson software to rip off my contact sheets since it's quicker and a better quality then using Photoshop's contact sheet maker. Not to mention it loads faster :)
The caveats are serious. This is an expensive printer to feed. The ink cartrdiges are too damn small given the cost of them and they are "chip'ed". So the hot ticket is to get one of the external ink systems such as the one offered by inkjetart.com If you plan to print alot or print large prints, these will become a requirement unless you have deep pockets.
You must print a page or two ever few days or the cartridge will clog. This is the most tempermental printer I've owned for clogging. Why do I put up with it? Because it has printed the best prints I have ever printed at home.
The printer does a good enough job that in the last year, I have not paid to have a single print made which has paid for the printer and several cartridges.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Wybnormal
|
|
Member: Mike
Location: Orange CA
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 3 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.