DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I've reached the point where I want to get a new printer. I now have an Epson and Canon with 8.5x11 capability. I have been using Epson printers for over 20 years (up to E Size and rolls). I use to mount and vacuum press. I have been researching the R3000, R3880 and the R4900. At 115lbs, I find the 4900 a bit too heavy. The reviews on all 3 are good. I saw one report that indicated the R3000 was as good as the other two. I am leaning toward the R3880 but I can't truly say why except it is considered and upgrade to the R3000. Price wise, in the long run, they are about the same or within $100 of each other. Over the years, I have been very satisfied with the quality prints from Epson and I haven't seriously considered other brands. Paper is the major expense and I have been researching Red River Paper and I like the reviews I have read. After researching, I find that I am confused somewhat. There is nothing like practical experience and I would appreciate input. I have a budget of about $2,000 and all of these fall well within that allowance. One consideration is that I will be hauling the printer to and from my second home on a bi-weekly basis. That's why the 155lbs. bothers me. My prints are not for commercial reproduction but I want high quality. Don't be afraid to head me in another direction.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I've been printing with my 3880 for many years (happily), but I have my eye on the 4900 and I think that I will get it very soon, I just like to be able to use roll-stock, the longest I can print with my 3880 is 38 inches.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I can see where the rolls would come in handy if you did some extreme panorama production or banner type printing. Thanks for your input.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

May I suggest you buy a pair of Canon Pro-100 printers? The current rebate makes it so you would not have to move your printer and be well under budget.

Prints from my RX100 are continue to impress me, friends and family.

(If you do take my suggestion, be sure a friend with a different last name buys the second printer for you due to rebate rules.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I have the R3000 and get excellent results from it. I have not printed to roll paper. I use Epson papers and inks, and also Red River papers. Red River works well in the printer, and their r3000 profiles help you get the best results because they are printer specific and not just Epson specific. The profiles seem to work equally well when printing through Lightroom or Photoshop which was not my experience with cheaper Epson printers and non Epson papers. My only quibble is having to change out the blacks when you switch from matte to glossy papers, and I don't know if the other printer you mentioned requires that or not. It's not hard, just an annoyance, and I suspect it wastes some ink. The ink is high, but that's the same with any printer. The printer is not small, but it is not huge either, and could be transported. It is more bulky than heavy.

I got my r3000 for $550 and it was a good deal.

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

I have the 3880, one thing I hate about it is, some types of paper ( canvas, ultra premium presentation matte ) can be difficult to load. Not sure if you want to be moving the printer bi weekly. HEAVY and it may be necessary to install all hold down clips for moving.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

:thumbup: :thumbup:

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

:thumbup:

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I've been considering that one but Red River Paper has done a study of ink costs and the Pro-100 cost of ink per print is twice as much as the Epson 3800/3880.
http://www.redrivercatalog.com/cost-of-inkjet-printing.html

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I'll have to research the Pro-100 - I haven't looked at it. Thank you.

Kentee Loc: Southern California

I have been using an Epson 3800 for about one year. It was a move up from an Epson 2200 which produced excellent prints up to 13x19. The 3800 prints at that size and smaller look about the same as the 3800 in terms of quality, at least to me.

The black ink changeover is a real minus so I print mostly in color on matte paper, that includes the black and white prints since I find the automatic matte black ink lowers the quality substantially. Seldom print on luster or any other paper for that reason since the changeover uses a LOT of ink. Wasted. Other than that, it is a great printer.

I would not move it at all. Too much can go wrong with the printer and repairs are expensive and time-consuming. That goes for any printer unless it was designed to be portable. I would buy a great printer for my main station and a less expensive one for the less important location, like the 2200 or whatever replaced it in the lineup of Epson printers. I also use only Epson papers since I do not do art prints. Even then, I would use Epson. If you are a commercial printer, the cost of paper is probably not your greatest expense.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have been using an Epson 3880 does well on paper and ink and have not had a problem with it
changes ink automatically without any problem

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

Although I am serious a "Canon" guy and that goes for printers, I have been an Epson printer guy for years and used a couple of R1800s until they died, and a couple of R1900s until they died, one just this week. I am now thinking about getting either a R2000 or R3000 (they have rebates right now) or, as someone suggest a Canon really really cheap as they are out on Craigslist brand new for 150 to 200 bucks as people get them in package deals from Canon and sell them cheap. I am leaning to the Epson R2000 (out of stock) or R3000 in stock, both with rebates. Printers are one area where you can't be cheap as why take a great picture if the print doesn't match the image.

Nikonman2014

I've been using an Epson 3800 for several years now, and I am really pleased with the results. I use only Epson papers, glossy and mattes, in this machine.

For your purposes, you should think twice about hauling it around a couple of times per month - I think it's too bulky and heavy for that, especially for one person.

In addition, it really does not handle canvas very well, although there are youtube videos showing how to insert canvas sheets. I could never get the hang of that.

With all that said, you can't beat the quality of the prints.

RICARDOOO Loc: Findlay, Ohio

I have the R 3000 and like it very much...AND it only weighs 35 pounds.