Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Review

Mark Goldstein | PhotographyBLOG | July 28, 2008 | 1 Comments |

The Epson Stylus Photo R2880 is a new professional A3+ photo printer. Replacing the older R2400 model, the R2880 uses advanced UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta pigment inks for a wider colour gamut with vibrant blues and pinks. It also employs a 3 black-ink system which promises true black and white output as well as outstanding grey balance. The Epson R2880 features a new advanced driver mode for true black and white printing and toning, and can print directly onto printable CDs and DVDs. Retailing for £570 / $800, is the Epson R2880 a worth successor to the popular R2400? Read Jon Canfield’s review to find out…

Website: Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Review

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#1 H J Ventura

This is one of a number of reviews of the Epson R2880 I looked at before deciding to order that printer. As reviews go, it is rather brief and non-quantitative. Although I have only used the printer for a few days, I don't think I am as sanguine about ink usage as this reviewer appears to be. After a couple of swaps of the black cartridge and after printing perhaps 3 13 x 19 and 3 8 x 10 prints, the black cartridge level is already alarmingly low. This is one of the fears I had about this printer, it seems to be a valid concern.
I am rather puzzled that no one has addressed what appers to me to be a major issue: What do you do with the ink cartridge you remove when you swap black inks? Epson does not mention anything in their User Manual nor, sadly, do they provide a storage cassette for the removed cartridge. Surely it will dry out unless somehow sealed.
I did try to print on a canvas roll and gave up, I just don't have enough experience yet with this printer to tackle that. I managed to get the printer to feed in the roll but then it just chugged and clucked and would not print. The manual really is terse to the point of being uninformative.
The colors on photo paper are rich, saturated and
dynamic. Like printing on cavas, I have not yet attempted B/W printing but look forward to that.
I am sure many of my initial problems are due to pilot error, but the printer does seem to have one or two glaring limitations. If Epson comes out with a replacement that has larger ink cartridges and removes the necessity for swapping blacks, many buyers of this model will feel downright hoodwinked.

2:34 am - Wednesday, May 20, 2009