I have a love, hate relationship with this printer
Pros:
When banding issue is solved, the prints are beyond gorgeous
Cons:
Banding wastes costly ink which is $125 for 8 cartridges when purchased in store.
The Bottom Line:
I love it when it works, I hate it when it doesn't. I think I've finally learned to handle it to get it to work well.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
This printer has 8 cartridges, has a nice color range, and prints beautiful matte and glossy prints, BUT I have come to both love and hate this printer. I am on my second one and have had it for I think, about 3 years now. I will say that I have used it like I would a work-horse, so that may taint my view of it, since everything made of plastic today has it's drawbacks.
I have certainly gotten my money's-worth out of it since I have become a professional wildlife photographer. I have sold several prints using this printer and have had ups and downs in the process.
The costly downside to this printer is the expensive Epson ink. In the past, with my first R1800, I tried to use the alternative inks other than Epson and seriously regretted it. The worst happened--it leaked into the R1800 and it was destroyed! The second one has lasted me for quite awhile now, but I have a very serious tip for everyone about how to make it last.
Several times before preparing for an Art Show I would become so frustrated (to put it mildly) due to serious banding issues. After wasting literally hundreds of dollars in ink, a photographer friend suggested turning the printer off as soon as you are done printing. Do not leave it on for even a couple of minutes. Knock on wood, since I have followed his unbelievably simple advise, I have had smooth prints with no banding. He explained that when the printer is left on (and I had been leaving it on even overnight sometimes, thinking nothing of it) the heads dry up, which causes the banding.
Other than that, the prints have been literally gorgeous, and I have enjoyed the printer ever since.
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I am coming back to add something that I forgot to mention: One of the main reasons that I love this machine when it works is because it has pigment inks rather than dye, which have a higher archival rating. Also, when you use Epson glossy papers and ink, the quality is so amazing that you can actually take your printed glossy photo and put it in water (I don't do this, but you could test a piece if you wanted) let it sit for awhile, then take it out and wipe it off and it will be fine. That's how durable the epson ink combined with epson paper prints are.
