Is there any difference between these two printers if printing black and white?
I "doubt" if the extra inks in the 9900 would add to black and white quality, but I do not want to assume. There is about a $1000 difference between the 2 printers and trying to decide if the differnce is worth it, or if I would be disappointed with the 9890. I am strongly leaning toward the 9890 at this point, as about 60% of my prints are B&W.
Thanks for any input
Gary
You would not be disappointed. If you were given prints from both machines (color and B&W) you'd only be guessing as to which printer it was printed on. That is of course, you plan on using building and using multi-channel profiles and then editing your images in 6 color layers in PS. Then you could see a difference (at least someone with a color eye), buy I highly doubt you'd go through the trouble.
Same speed, same options, same everything except no O/G.
On some images (color) I think you *may* be able to see the slightest ever difference with the gamut of the 9900. I don't think it will make a difference with the B&W, considering the same number of blacks (and same black inks!).
If you print that much B&W, I'd consider looking at getting a B&W piezography printer (yup, in addition to your 9890/9900). I'm planning on converting my old 9800 specifically for this purpose. Of course, if you have a smaller printer, it's much much cheaper. I think a 3800/3880 would be ideal to convert if you don't need B&W prints larger than the 17" carriage.
printer is long time investment. I would suggest (especially on Epson side) to just get the newest and greatest technology because printers are not updated or fixed mid life. Just there come new model with most problems and issues fixed, added few new and technological advance.
Given the difference is only $1000i would get 9900 and stay on technology top for a long time.
This being said, 9890 is a great printer, in right hands it produces prints which are suitable for all kind of pro use.
Interesting thoughts- I agree it is a long term purchase, have to sleep on that.
Great idea as I have a 3880- might oook into the BW conversion.
Kd, any experience on where to go to look into it?
Thanks
Gary
If you go with latest and greatest, in actuality, the 9890 came out after the 9900 series so one could say it has the "newer technology". There exactly the same printer for the $1000 dollars, buy your first set of 350ml inks for your 9890. Otherwise you'll, in actuality, be paying over $2,000 more for printer and 1 set of 350ml inks.
gchappel wrote:
Interesting thoughts- I agree it is a long term purchase, have to sleep on that.
Great idea as I have a 3880- might oook into the BW conversion.
Kd, any experience on where to go to look into it?
Thanks
Gary
The 3800/3880 (and other auto switching printers) I think are most ideal for piezography as they are most easily adaptable and flexible with options here. My 9800 is not autoswitching, but I'm making the committment to a glossy inkset to won't need the autoswitching. It's worthwhile to order the B&W print inkset and paper samples to get an idea of the flavor of B&W that suits you best. It really is quite broad what you can do. I've decided on the Selenium K7 MPS (glossy) and will probably do the conversion next month. The 9900 has been wonderful, but my 9800 ink carts are still pretty full and I want to run them down making some large outdoor canvas banners first! If I didn't have my 9800, I would have seriously considered purchasing a 3880 for B&W piezography.
