Epson R1800 Review

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Introduction

The Epson Stylus Photo R1800 is designed for professional and advanced amateur photographers seeking the best image and archival quality as well as flexibility for both glossy and matte photos up to 13 inches wide. Taking advantage of Epson’s Advanced MicroPiezo® ink jet technology to achieve ink droplets as small as 1.5-picoliters(the smallest dot size in the industry) and resolutions up to 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, it offers digital artists a wide selection of photo printing features, extremely fast print speeds and a high level of enduring image quality that resists fading up to 200 years.
Using an eight-channel print head and Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss ink, the Epson Stylus Photo R1800 conveniently contains a Gloss Optimizer as well as both the Photo Black and Matte Black ink cartridges in the printer at all times, avoiding the need to swap cartridges. The printer driver automatically determines which black ink to use based on the paper type selected.
With Epson’s true BorderFree photo printing technology, the Epson Stylus Photo R1800 is able to produce prints in a variety of frame-ready and portfolio-ready photo paper sizes. The Epson Stylus Photo R1800 is also capable of printing directly onto ink jet printable CD's or DVD's.

Specifications

Printing Technology: advanced Micro Piezo pigment ink jet optimized for photo printing

Maximum Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi

Minimum Ink Droplet Size: 1.5 picoliter

Ink Type: Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss pigment ink

Ink Palette:

• Cyan
• Magenta
• Yellow
• Red
• Blue
• Black (matte/gloss)
• Gloss Optimizer

Ink Cartridge Configuration: 8 individual cartridges

Print Speed: 4 x 6" photo: 42 seconds, 11 x 14" photo: 1 minute 51 seconds

Dimensions: (WxHxD) 24.2" x 9.1" x 12.6"

Dimensions: (WxHxD) 615mm x 219mm x 314mm

Price: Discontiued

Manufacturers web site: www.epson.com

For a complete list of specifications click here

Positives

• Color prints are extremely good.
  BW prints, the quality of the BW prints is truly amazing when you use Velvet fine art paper.
  13x19" borderless
  Roll paper.
  CD prints.

Drawbacks

• Ink. Uses lots of ink on max resolution. (prints are exceptionally tough)
• Ink price.
• Even if you only change one cartridge, the printer charges all cartridges.
• Manual paper feed. On paper such as the Velvet Fine Art, you have to manually insert the papers on the back of the printer, this can be cumbersome at times.*

* Update November 7, 2007

Email From Dave Brown:

Hi Folks,
Just a note tonight to help solve a problem a lot of people seem to be
having with the Epson R1800 Printer when trying to print on heavier
stock Fine Art Papers, such as Hahnemuhle, etc.. Anyway, just bring up a
photo to print. When Print Preferences Box opens, go to Maintenance Tab and select the bottom button, called Printer and Option Information.
Click on it and the Printer and Option Information Box opens, and low
and behold, there at the bottom on the left is an unchecked box with
"Thick Paper" beside it. Check this box, and your problems with printing
heavier Fine Art Papers are over. And also, I have been feeding them
into the top of the printer just like regular paper, and not at the
back. Give it a try for yourself......Leave it to Epson to NOT mention
this in the User's Guide that comes with this excellent
printer!!.......Maybe you might like to help spread the good word?
Happppy Printing!! Dave

Fredrik: I tried Dave's tip, and yes it does work. To be sure, I emailed Epson to find out if this would harm the printer.

Email from Epson: In answer to your enquiry, the Thicker media setting you have selected is mainly for use when printing on envelopes. For the heavier weight paper such as the Fine art paper. This should only be loaded through the rear manual feed as this reduces the strain on the paper feed mechanism as it does not need to bend the paper as much.

Verdict

The Epson R1800 is an incredible printer, both the BW and color prints is amazing. The BW prints is far better then what I expected, especially since the R2400 is said to be so much better on BW. Other reviews say the BW prints are awful on the R1800. I can't really agree on that, the BW prints that I have done looks exceptional and can be compared to BW darkroom prints IMO.

Features
Performance
Build
Value

Alternatives

HP / Hewlett-Packard Photosmart Pro B8350. $244.95 USD

Epson Stylus Photo 1400. $262.00 USD

HP / Hewlett-Packard Photosmart Pro B9180. $549.95 USD

Canon Pixma Pro9500. $529.95 USD

Epson Stylus Photo R2400. $769.95 USD

*Prices and rebates are subject to change. Listed prices are from September 7, 2007.