[spxxxx]

Well I finally did it - replaced my excellent i9100 Canon with the Epson R2400.

Straight out of the box it was very easy to set up - all cartridges are placed in the printer and the ink charging takes place - takes a couple of minutes.

Next pop the CD in and connect via USB / USB2 / Firewire and install the software.

Another couple of minutes and the job is done - ready to print.

My Canon printer produced fantastic high gloss output - but it faded pretty quickly and Black & White was a nightmare.

The Epson uses Pigment K3 inks that have a far better lifespan but some users stated that gloss output wasn't very good - even termed it a matt only printer.

Well I got my A3+ paper straight out (none of this whimpy 6x4) and printed a B+W using the advanced option in the printer driver (set "let printer determine colours" in CS2)

Pressed print and waited - its much slower than the Canon but even for A3+ quite acceptable 2-3 mins.

THE RESULTS WERE JAW DROPPING

Using gloss paper there was not a single colour cast and no bronzing at all in any light - period !! I can't describe how good the results are - just fantastic.

There is an option to slightly shift the white point so that areas of pure white have some pigment applied to the paper so that gloss differences from the paper / ink are not pronounced. I have tried both and not noticed any problem either way.

I also printed black and white using the Epson ICC profile in CS2 and again this produced a neutral B+W with no colour cast. The black were perhaps not quite as black as using the advanced B+W option but still excellent.

SO FOR ME A WINNER in monochrome - as this was my primary reason for purchasing.

I then tried a full colour on A3+ and used the ICC profile in CS2 - Again the output took 2 -3 minutes and the reults were again SUPERB - perhaps not quite as punchy as the Canon but the use of a gloss spray fixer does the trick if this is what you want.

For me however the results straight from the printer whether colour or B+W are simply stunning with the added bonus that I don't worry as much about fading.

Ink usage is about the same as the Canon - no better no worse.

I can't praise this printer enough and the many glowing reviews are justified - yes Canon's pro 9500 due out in 2007 may compete but for now the Epson is the clear front runner.

[Dave]

Thanks for the excellent review Simon. (Have given some rep points) . I must admit I went to a Monochrome Photography Club & saw some examples of Monochrome prints from the R2400 & as you say they are stunning. Does seem to be the printer to have if shooting Mono.......I'm not jealous...I'm not jealous

[spxxxx]

When you see that mono print come out of the printer and the blacks are just BLACK !!! - and oooh the tones / graduations - wish I had took the plunge as soon as it came out

SImon

[Dabhand16]

Dave - if you dropped you sights a little for the new car, you could invest (careful choice of words here), in a 2400. It would have the added bonus of deferring the consideration of the purchase of an inkflow system until after christmas, or perhaps better still, writing to Father Christmas and asking for the inkflow system for the 2400.

You know it mkes sense!

Could I volunteer to be your agent?

[Dave]

Well, just read A3 printer review in Digital Photo & here are the following results :-

Epson R2400 - Gold Award
Canon i9950 - Silver Award
Epson R1800 - 3rd
HP Pro B9180 - 4th

Epson R2400 was the only one that scored 5/5 for Mono printing

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Dave - if you dropped you sights a little for the new car, you could invest (careful choice of words here), in a 2400. It would have the added bonus of deferring the consideration of the purchase of an inkflow system until after christmas, or perhaps better still, writing to Father Christmas and asking for the inkflow system for the 2400.

You know it mkes sense!

Could I volunteer to be your agent?

I was waiting for the peer pressure Can't you all be happy you hood winked me in to a D200

[spxxxx]

Well that must be the first time I have got it right - Dave catch the bus buy the printer, a D2Xs, 200-400VR.............

Simon

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Dave

I was waiting for the peer pressure Can't you all be happy you hood winked me in to a D200

NO