Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

I presently have the Epson printer Artisan 1430 and am happy with it. I print mostly on Epson Ultra Glossy Photo Paper using pc and Photoshop. Prints look great. Now, I think I'm getting another G.A.S. attack and notice on B & H, the Epson Stylus Photo R3000 has a $250 rebate until Feb 28 thus reducing the final cost to $447 after rebate. They list $697 as the cost without the rebate.

Have any of you upgraded from the Artisan 1430 to the R3000? Is it worth it? Will I notice a considerable difference on the prints from the two? Am I being foolish to consider going to the R3000 when I have no problems with the 1430? I am retired and an enthusiast photographer.

Thanks for your feedback. Darn G.A.S.but I hate to let the R3000 get away if I can net it out at less than $450 for this quality of printer if it is worth it.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I've had the Artisan 837 for several years and it prints beautifully. The only reason I would have to upgrade would be to be able to print larger then 837's maximum size of 8.5x11. The R3000 prints the same 13x19 size as the 1430, with the exception that it can use roll paper and print up to 13x44. Can you use that feature? Otherwise, considering the quality of the prints made by the Artisan series, I don't see where you would be gaining much. Bottom line: print quality probably is not a big issue, so are the other features of the R3000 worth the expense?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

It depends on what you want to do that the current one can't handle. I have never used the 1430. I upgraded from the Epson 835 to the r3000and there was a lot of difference in being able to get the print to look like what I saw and wanted. The 835 did not have nearly as much user control. The r3000 makes wonderful prints on more different kinds of paper. I couldn't use art papers on the 835. I can now do most of my printing at home instead of sending stuff out. It is an ink hog though.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

There may also be differences in ink quality between the two. The R3000 also has the larger capacity ink cartridges and matt black is also a cartridge in the printer. So get ready when you have to replace cartridges in the r3000 as they are quite a bit higher in cost but are much bigger carts.

chazz4623 Loc: Prairieville, La

I also have an Artisan 837, and I'm a little disappointed in it's color rendition. I havent asked about how to standardize or adjust it's output, but otherwisw it's a nice printer, at least on Kodak paper.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The only paper I use is Epson Ultra Premium and I usually print from PS Elements using the setting for "Best Photo". If you are not getting the color rendition that you are seeing on your monitor it may be that you need to calibrate your monitor. You should explore your printer settings. Check and see if your color profile setting matches your monitor and video card models. There are a lot of variables in the settings.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Calibrate your monitor. Don't let the printer control your color. Use the icc profile for your paper and have the software do the controlling. Also, you can do better with Epson paper, Red River and a few others. I wouldn't suggest that you use Kodak paper.

Tracyv Loc: Del Mar, Ca

I agree with DavidPine, I have only had good luck with Epson or Red River paper.

chazz4623 Loc: Prairieville, La

Thanks guys for the helpful suggestions. My monitor color is just fine as referencing from all the photos I've taken and uploaded, also from photos and videos I stream. I do not wish to change that. The reason I havent tried calibrating my printer is that I'm a novice with printers and their inner workings. I have much to learn and dont want to possibly make things worse by tinkering without knowledge. I can figure out most things with a little basic knowledge, but I prefer to read the instructions first, and there aint none. I didnt know there were any profiles or software for printing paper, but I'll look into it. I'm kind of old school, and I havent caught up yet. The last things I worked on troubleshooting were industrial analog instruments, which have been out of use for 25 years. Again, thanks for the help, maybe I could profit from a basic photography course which also covers printers.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You don't calibrate your printer. You calibrate your monitor and you can profile your paper. Your monitor may look okay to you while looking at images on screen however, the pudding is in the print. Light is different on a monitor because it is backlit. Paper reflects light. That's about basic as I can explain it. Good luck.