New Epson printers .. any suggestions?

[Matt K.]

I am trying to decide between a 2000 and 3000 printer .. the price difference is quite big, so if anyone has a thing or two to tell me, I'd appreciate the comments. Apparently the 2000 uses different ink, and i am not familiar with the ink systems. I would not print out many copies per month, so ink capacity plays a secondary roll. Printing is not cheap, I know that, considering paper costs and ink costs. But i want to have a good printer with reasonable printing costs ... so help me out, will ya?

[Andrew]

Not too deep yet but I've been looking at the same pair. The problem is that both equate to a lot of prints. I find Costco OK for the most part and go to a specialize commercial printer only on a rare occasion.

Should I Buy an Epson R2000 vs. Epson R3000? (http://www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/articles/compare-epson-r2000-vs-epson-r3000-which-to-purchase.html)

[mbrager]

I have a R2880 Epson that uses the same inks as the R3000. The article is accurate in that the 3000 will give you more versatility in printing black and whites as well as color. There's a difference in textures, similarly to what we value in photos that maintain correct exposure in difficult light without under or over exposing. You do get what you pay for. After using the 2880 for a year and a half though, and having seen output from even higher end printers, I want more. Can't afford more, but I still want it. I think it is worth the extra 300-400 bucks.

[Marko]

I can vouch for the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 - awesome printer!

[Gremlich]

I can vouch for the R3000. The colour, after you've calibrated your monitor(s), is superb. The monochromes, using the photo black and the other lt black and lt lt black, are incredible. I've actually sold a number of the night-time london shots (the view down whitehall) since getting it. (I printed off a few 8x10 and showed them).

I bought it through epson when they had the 10% off and $200 rebate. cost me $565 after all of that. It came with what seems to be full ink cartridges.

[asnow]

Black friday / cyber monday is coming up. You may want to check if there are any special deals those two days.

[Gremlich]

Just checked Epson site, the R3000 has a $300 rebate on it atm. snap it up. It's mail-in, of course, but still.....

[Matt K.]

Well i did get the R3000 with the rebate ... now I am looking into third party ink systems - but that will be another thread