Anyone have an Epson Stylus Pro 4000? Comments?

[PhotoAmateur]

I am thinking about buying one of these and I would like to hear some
comments on it. Is it expensive to run ink wise? Is there a CIS for it?
How is the image quality compared to a Epson 1280 and how is the image
quality in general? Speed? Also, any other comments would be welcome.

thanks

[Bill]

>I am thinking about buying one of these and I would like to hear
>some comments on it.

A couple of us on this NG have one, Mark Morgan and me.

>Is it expensive to run ink wise?

The first time you turn it on it will run thru about $100 worth of ink
filling the lines and priming the heads. After that initial shock it
isn't too bad :) Last time I checked it was costing me about 50 cents
per 11x14" print with the 110 ml carts (would be a bit less with the
220 ml carts).

>Is there a CIS for it?

I think so, but the main reason to buy the printer is for the Epson
inks and accurate ICC profiles so I would recommend against it. For
example the CIS systems only have one flavor of black ink so you are
compromised with the softer watercolor or art papers.

>How is the image quality compared to a Epson 1280

Much, much better since the profiles are more accurate and gray
balanced (I also have a 1280).

> how is the image quality in general?

Excellent.

> Speed?

Fast ... I have a pdf of a review John Paul Caponigro wrote on the 4000
for a magazine which talks about these issues, email me if you want a
copy.

>Also, any other comments would be welcome.

I would recommend that you NOT buy the 4000 however, since it is being
replaced by the new, improved 4800, which has the new K3 ink set for
improved black/white performance and better performance with glossy
papers (ie, no gloss differential). The 4800 (and 2400, 7800 and 9800)
were just announced about 3 weeks ago. Here's a review of the 9800,
same printer except 44" wide, by Joe Holmes ...
http://www.josephholmes.com/news.html

Bill