Toronto Photography Meetup Group

A lot of us do not hesitate to complain about a poor product, and I include myself in that statement. However, I just wanted to make a note about something that has not let me down, and I that I continue to enjoy using ... my Epson Pro 3880 printer.

I ordered this printer October 20th 2009, and picked it a couple of weeks later (November 6th). I had sold my R2880, so I was already familiar with the output with this ink, Epson paper and the reliability of the ink repelling coating ... so no clogs. My only issue with the R2880 was the amount of ink I started to go through when printing for clients. It had produced much better results than they were getting, so they kept coming back to me to do their prints.

Enter in the 3880, not skipping a beat, continuing on perfectly. I have not had one single clog, even though I have gone as long as 1 month without using it. Yes, I do the nozzle test pattern test, and have noticed a couple of areas where it didn't print perfectly ... so I just run the test patter again, and then once more. Voila, everything nozzle printing perfectly without having to go through a nozzle cleaning cycle! I haven't printed as much as I thought I would this year to do other work, but I still have printed more than I did last year, with about 20 - 16x20s, just under 100 - 11x14s, over 100 - 8x10s, and a few 5x7s and 4x6s. My lowest ink level is my photo black, which has probably just under 20%. I just calibrated my printer just in case there has been a colour shift with the ink now being a year old.

Is it perfect? No ... but almost. I miss the ability to print on a roll. It hasn't been a real issue, as I haven't received many panoramic print orders (only 4), which I just outsource anyway. I know the 4880 printer can do that, but honestly ... I don't have the space to house that thing.

All in all, I'm happy about the running costs of the printer and it's reliability. Everyone loves (and I mean loves!) the prints that this produces, not one client has questioned the photos I have handed over to them (I'm paying for a home print???), in fact ... just the opposite, they return for me to print more. With this printer, I really have no regrets.

For those of you that have a 3880, please add to feedback.

I do not have a 3880 but I have been considering upgrading my R1900 for some time now. I just have not been able to justify it as of yet. I also love printing from rolls but as you mentioned it is rare that even I print panos so then just sheets would certainly be fine with me. It is really good to hear such a positive commentary on thus printer. Lately I have just been seeing things about the 4900 and up so something more in my range is nice to hear about. I would also love to hear more about other peoples experiences with this printer. Maybe you will all force me into picking one up by fully justifying it for me

Thanks for the review Itsaphoto. I would love to get a 3880 but can't justify the cost at this time.

I own a R2400, for about a year and love it. Epson can be hit or miss i've found, but when you luck into a hit, is it ever a hit.

They certainly like the Epson at The Luminous Landscape. Sounds like a nice piece of hardware.

I have used the Pro 4880 for the last 2-3 years. Printed many hundreds of meters of 17" roll paper. Aside from having to clean the print heads almost daily, it is a solid performer.

I would recommend Epson too

Now I want to go get the 3880. I have the R2880 and never had a clog. I hear of Epson users complain about the clogs. I didn't use the printer for 3 months at one time and still no clogs.

Thanks for the comments tho, I have to wait because I just got a Sekonic Meter and maybe we will meet at a TPMG event so you can try it out.

Funny, I just ordered a Sekonic meter too, should be receiving it next week.

Thats is funny, just as we were talking about this in another post.

Epson Canada is offering a $250 mail in rebate on the R2880.

Selling for about $800 at most retailers so with the rebate you're looking at around $650 tax in!

No rebate on the R3880 thought.

http://www.epson.ca/cgi-bin/ceStore/con ... d=60567552

Epson Canada is offering a $250 mail in rebate on the R2880.

Selling for about $800 at most retailers so with the rebate you're looking at around $650 tax in!

No rebate on the R3880 thought.

http://www.epson.ca/cgi-bin/ceStore/con ... d=60567552

I just got my rebate cheque from Epson this week. I bought the R2880.

That's a good price with the rebate, produces awesome prints ... gets addictive, so be careful ... LOL

I know, I have already replaced the black photo cartridge twice