Kodak has discontinued the 1400. Not sure how much longer the media will be available. I love that printer and would like to stick with Kodak, but the 9810 is pricey. Any other suggestions for an 8x10 dye sub?
Thanks Bob. Received an email late today from Kodak stating the print kits will still be available. I just wonder for how long. I will look into the Mitsubishi and see how it compares to the Kodaks. Any experience with it?
Jonathan, I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with your printer, judging from the print sample that you showed. It looks to me like one of the pick rollers is slipping on the paper, scuffing the paper. The pick rollers pull the paper out of the tray and into the printer. If they scuff the paper, it produces a cyan "smudge" on the print. You can find a PDF file on the Kodak web site that I wrote before I retired that describes how to clean the pick rollers (http://download.kodak.com/professional/manuals/1400digitalPrinter/Kodak_1400_Printer_Maintenance_Tips.pdf)
If that doesn't fix it, check to see if there is a static charge on the paper that is making the paper in the tray stick together. For awhile, Kodak had a problem with some batches of paper being particularly susceptible to holding a static charge. When the paper gets charged, the sheets stick together and it's very difficult to pull a single sheet out of the tray resulting in the pick roller slipping on the paper and scuffing it. If there is a static charge, remove the paper from the tray and individually pull one sheet at a time from the stack and wipe the bottom to bleed of the charge, being careful not to touch the top (image) surface. When you put the paper back in the tray, make sure that the sheets seem "loose" and are able to freely move around.
Just bought the Mac compatible version Mitsubishi CP3020 on eBay for 175 UKP, only done 150 prints and looks/feels like new... The prints are outstanding... Out of the box the prints seem to be colour matched to my calibrated workflow... Mega pleased.
I wouldn't worry about media not being offered----selling media makes Kodak money. My bet is that media will be offered long after the service life of your printer. I still have two Kodak 8500 printers that I rarely use (anyone want a great set-up?) that media is easily available for. I have a Kodak ML500---since discontinued by Kodak, media easily available for---and I don't think there are any dye sub event printers that can outperform this old workhorse....
I'd use your old printer until it dies....unless you need an upgrade.
