Epson Stylus Pro 3800 Printer Standard Model Photo Printer

List Price: $1,295.00 Discount Price: Too low to display

Features:

• Features Ultrachrome K3 8-color pigment-based ink technology and tri-level black ink system for high-quality professional prints
• Compatible with up to 17-by-22-inch sheets, fine art paper, and 1.5-millimeter-thick posterboard
• Creates professional black-and-white prints from grayscale or color files
• 2.5-inch backlit LCD panel to preview, select, and print with ease
• 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty

Customer Reviews:

Amateur photography and printing on the 3800 [Posted on 2008-03-03]
I am an amateur photographer and have made the financial decision to take my work to the next level. This included purchasing this printer as well as the new Nikon D300 DSLR. I wanted to be able to take very high image quality pictures and then print them out at various sizes at a quality that would match any studio.

The first printer that was shipped to me had to be returned as some internal parts were trapped on the first print job by the print head and jammed up the printer. Not a great beginning.

The second printer arrived within days. I printed another test print and this one made it through the printer! However, the colors were completely off from what I saw on the display versus what appeared on the print.

I'd just learned my first lesson about controlling the process end-to-end (photo to print) and that was that color management was more than a maybe. It's a MUST.

I then purchased a kit to calibrate both the monitor and the printer (even though the printer ships with a print profile). After calibration and following some very specific steps on each and every print job, I now get reliably correct prints. And they're beautiful!

If you're considering this printer, be aware of the following three key issues:

1) You stand a chance of getting one with mechancial problems and will need to have a replacement.

2) You will also likely run into issues of color management. If you don't know what that is I'd highly recommend you read up on it.

3) If you haven't yet, you will now notice the imperfections of your captured images and will want to upgrade your camera gear because this printer creates excellent renditions of your photographs. IF your images are clear and sharp, so will the prints.

Bottom line, in spite of the issues I ran into using this printer, I'd do it all over again and would recommend it highly.

Good One [Posted on 2008-03-08]
After years of owning modestly priced Epson large format printers, I finally spent more and bought a 3800. So glad that I did. None of the complaints I had about the others apply to this one. It is one fine machine, installs easily, not too big and heavy considering the competition, communicates with the user. Perhaps the biggest improvement over the lower priced models is the paper handling capability, you can feed this unit most any kind of paper and it will be handled with ease. Another nice feature is the size of the cartridges, you won't be buying a set every few weeks as with the lower priced models. My 14 year experience with Epson has always been love/hate, loved the images, hated the flimsy paper carriages, cartridge ripoffs, etc. Not saying that everything about this one is lovely (strange black ink strategies in particular, pedantic auto settings that are hard to get around, etc.) but the overall quality of the machine puts one into a forgiving mood. This is one jewel of a printer.

Thank you all for your reviews! [Posted on 2008-04-17]
Thank you all for your thoughtful and honest reviews.

Product reviews by actual customers are the first thing I read before buying anything, especially in my recent purchase of this printer.

I've had my doubts but ordered anyway because I've wanted to buy a printer that I can "grow" into as I get more and more serious into Photography.

This is my first photo printer so I don't have much to comapre but I must say that this printer is easier to set up then an Apple computer out of the box. I bought 8.5x11 photo paper in advance of receiving for testing and etc and to my surprise the printer came with a packet of Luster Photo Papers(8.5x11).

Working with PS CS3 for borderless printing took a while to figure out but I'm a printing fool now. I can't wait to try out the 11x17 and 16x20!

I highly recommend this printer any serious novis like myself.

Epson owns your printer, even after you buy it [Posted on 2008-04-23]
Don't buy the optional ColorBurst RIP software. There's nothing wrong with the software, except that it only works with Epson papers. You can never add another paper to the list. The RIP is also hard to use and loves to print on absurd locations on the paper, even when you select "center."

The printer itself is nice, and my one call to Epson support was handled well by a gentleman who was sympathetic to the castrated-RIP issue.

Be prepared to spend at least $[...] more for a full-fledged RIP.

Arrived with a major part missing!  [Posted on 2008-04-27]
When you pay this much for printer, all the parts should be there. For me, the INK MAINTENANCE CARTRIDGE was missing. The printer won't function without it, so I couldn't even install the software and see if I liked what I'd bought.

Epson and Amazon should clean up their quality control act. It may be a great printer or a lousy printer, but I won't know until I pay Epson $40 to overnight a part that should have been installed in the first place.

Beware. Buy it from a hands-on dealer if you live close enough to one.

Click here for more details and discount information...