New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

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Jeff
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p.1 #1 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Hey everyone,

For those of you who have navigated buying this printer and running under OSX, I wonder if you might be able to help ensure I have a smooth transition. I've heard issues in regard to printing (mostly under Leopard), but I'm running v10.4.11, and have CD Installer Disk Rev 1.0A (which I haven't popped in yet). Looking at Epson's site, it appears that the most recent driver (late '07?) may be feature-limited, but I can't tell if that is also true of the version likely to be on the disk. If I update to the most current version of the driver (downloaded from the website), will I be limiting the capabilities of the printer interface, or is that simply true of this printer under all versions of OSX? Apparently updated and full-featured drivers are expected in March, but I'm guessing no one's holding their breath.

Any other hints for initial setup would be appreciated, and any resources that might be out there that could help with the transition would help. I'm coming from a 1270, so I'm kind of in the dark ages!

Any thoughts about USB2 vs. Ethernet? I'm tending toward Ethernet due to wiring constraints (i.e. I don't think I have a USB 2.0 cable long enough), but if it works better under USB I'll go that route.

Are there inexpensive covers available anywhere? That Tumi thing is just stupid-expensive.

Any thoughts about leaving it 'ON', versus in 'STANDBY' for several days? Any likely difference in potential head-clogging from either approach? I sincerely hope that the days of clearing clogged heads is over; it was such an arse-pain with the 1270. Then again, Epson may have simply 'masked' it on the 3800 by making it mostly automatic...

Paper suggestions are also welcome; I have tended toward Matte Heavyweight in the past, but I have a box of 17x22" Exhibition Fine Art that I'll use once I get things working smoothly. I also have some Premium Luster that's not too bad, but still a bit shiny for my taste. Why they didn't make the maximum paper size 17x25" to accomodate a 2:3 aspect ratio I'll never know...

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help, I very much appreciate it!

-Jeff

Edited on Feb 14, 2008 at 12:40 AM

Feb 14, 2008 at 12:35 AM

sbeme
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p.1 #2 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Cant answer of your questions, but check out the resources and information at Eric Chan's wonderful site re the 3800
Harman Gloss Fiber paper comes in 17x25.
Red River carries 17x25 house brands.
Search thru inkjetart.com and you will find several other 17x25 papers available.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/dp/Epson3800/index.htmlost

Feb 14, 2008 at 02:11 AM

Tom Rouse
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p.1 #3 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Congrats Jeff. I can't help you, but I an thinking of buying one. It should really serve you well.

Tom

Feb 14, 2008 at 02:11 AM

Jeff
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p.1 #4 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Thanks for the link Scott, I'm looking forward to using it.

I thought that the printer documentation indicated that 17x22 was the maximum size of sheet paper. Does anyone know for sure if it can take 17x25" papers?

Edited on Feb 14, 2008 at 03:33 AM

Feb 14, 2008 at 03:29 AM

J4644
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p.1 #5 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Hi Jeff,

I just purchased mine 3 weeks ago. So far I am happy. I have a couple of custom profiles and the color is pretty close to my calibrated monitor. I was told by 2 reliable sources that the 3800 is capable of doing 17 X 36 inch panoramas. Obviously, you would need to support the rolled paper because this unit does not have a roll feeder/holder.

Hope that helps.

Jim

Feb 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM

Geert Koning
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p.1 #6 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

I am also interested in this printer, I would like to use 17x25 inch paper but I cannot find any supplier for paper size in my country. I am using Epson Premium Glossy on an R1800 and I really like that and Epson is supplying Premium glossy A2 ( 16.5 x 23.5 ) that comes close.

The maximum user defined paper size is 17x 37.4 inch

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=FAQ&oid=79928&prodoid=63062509&foid=88076

Edited on Feb 14, 2008 at 12:55 PM

Feb 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM

gilbertyu
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p.1 #7 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Congrats on the printer! I've had mine for about a month and I love it. Under OSX Leopard, I've been using the beta drivers and I've had no problems with it. You can find it here.

I haven't gotten a cover for my printer yet, but I've heard good things about this site. I've heard it's not as good as the Tumi but a lot more reasonably priced.

I'm not too crazy about Hwt Matte, even Ultra Premium Presentation Matte (Enhanced Matte) is better for not a whole lot more money if you are looking for a matte paper.

You might want to try some sampler packs when trying out different papers. I know I've gotten sampler packs from Red River, Moab, Hahnemuele, and Ilford.

Have fun with your printer!!

Edited on Feb 14, 2008 at 04:36 PM

Feb 14, 2008 at 04:34 PM

kevinsullivan
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p.1 #8 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Ilford Gallery Gold Fibre Silk, 17x22. I really like it.

Feb 15, 2008 at 02:07 AM

Jeff
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p.1 #9 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Hey, thanks for the further input, guys, I appreciate it. I checked out the cover link, too bad they don't have grey (doesn't show the dust so much).

I printed my first 12x18" B&W on Premium Luster last night, and it's pretty much spot-on as far as gamma goes, perfectly neutral; a beautiful print. I was getting so frustrated trying to print B&W with the 1270, so this unit will be very liberating for me, since I shot predominantly B&W in my later film years. I did have one problem, though, which I think is referred to as a 'head strike'. At the last 1/2" of the print, there is some black ink smudging, I believe I read from the paper edge coming out of contact with the feed guide, as the last bit of paper is printed. Is this a 'platen gap' setting thing, or something else?

I'm very curious about the 'STANDBY' vs. 'OFF' thing; does anyone have any input on that? I'm working my way through the Eric Chan link, but it'll take awhile to get through it. Seems like he hasn't updated that =FAQ much since the middle of last year.

Anyway, thanks again,

-Jeff

PS: Glad to confirm that 23" isn't it for max width!

kevinsullivan wrote:
Ilford Gallery Gold Fibre Silk, 17x22. I really like it.

I've heard about that paper, what's the surface like? I really like the surface of Ilford's Smooth Pearl, but could never get it right in the 1270 (magenta cast).

Edited on Feb 15, 2008 at 04:38 PM

Feb 15, 2008 at 03:59 PM

Jeff
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p.1 #10 · New to Epson Pro 3800... HELP!

Form the Outback Photo link given on Eric Chan's FAQ:

"There has been a lot of debate about the best way to avoid ink clogs after long periods of inactivity. Some people suggest to leave the printer ON all the time, while others recommend the exact opposite. It appears that Epson's official recommendation is to leave the printer OFF when not it use, so that the print head can rest in its parking position which results in the print head being capped. Epson's recommendation makes perfect sense to me and unless a general consensus is reached indicating that the opposite is true, I'll keep the printer OFF when not in use."

And on the 'Head Strike' issue:

12/19/2006 Paper Transport Issue

"Third day without print head clogs! But the problem today comes from the way the printer handles (or I should say -mishandles-) the end of the print sheet.

With the Epson 4800, Epson introduced a vacuum system that helps keeping the paper pressed down (and flat) during printing. On the Epson 3800 this system was eliminated (to save costs?) and, as a consequence, I experienced again the same problem that plagued most of my prints with the Epson 2200...

...The distance between the paper and the print head is controlled by the Platen Gap setting, which should normally be set to Standard, unless a very thin or very thick paper is used (I have mine set to Standard). The problem arises sometimes when the paper reaches its end and is no longer engaged by the two printer rollers opposite to the paper feeding direction (which, in the two images shown here is from right to left). In this case, if the paper is not perfectly flat along its edge (and corners) it can easily get in the way of the print head movement, which results in color smearing and possible damage to the print head.

I've found that this problem is more likely to happen with large sheets of paper. I remember having this problem with the Epson 2200 almost constantly. I resorted to setting the adjust lever to the "thick paper" setting even for normal papers. It's quite annoying to see that this problem is back after two generations of printers...

...The only easy solution to this problem is to increase the Platen Gap setting from Standard to Wide or Wider. The question with this solution is: will increasing the printhead-to-paper distance result in reduced print quality, as the inks might not hit the paper as precisely?

CONCLUSIONS

Based on my test print and inspection, it looks like there isn't any disadvantage in raising the printer Platen Gap. All Epson 3800 users seeing color smearing on the bottom corners and/or edge of the paper should increase the Platen Gap. From Standard to Wider, there is no visible print quality loss. Some caution is advised with the Widest setting."

That's what I've found so far. I just re-set my Platen Gap setting to 'WIDE', so we'll see if that helps...

Feb 15, 2008 at 04:38 PM


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