Returning my "pro" b8350...thanks DavidW!

[debuinpeaks]

I wanted the HP9180 after reading the great reviews, but talked myself out of it thinking that I'm new to photography and probably won't be taking photographs for awhile worthy of such a printer. And too, the physical size of that printer seems a bit too much for my space.

I was thrilled when I ran across the pro b8350 and read somewhere that it was the "little brother" to the 9180 and immediately ordered it from Amazon on December 8, 2006. It has been sitting in it's box on my floor since I received it due to...well, an unfortunate series of events.

Minutes ago I just read from DavidW (thank you so much!) that it is dye ink not pigment, has small multiple color cartridges, and more expensive to operate. Amazingly Amazon is allowing me to return it after this length of time.

I was wondering if there are any new printers on the horizon for home users like myself who want longevity, ease of use, and quality of prints or should I just move out that comfy chair in place of a 9180?

Thanks,
Debbie

[DavidW]

In the HP range, the B9180 is new. Epson may just have something new up their sleeve waiting to launch, but at the moment I can't anything dramatic being imminent, especially as they've just released another Ultrachrome K3 printer in the 3800. The Canon Pro 9500, which is the pigment printer somewhat comparable to the dye Pro 9000 that Vincent reviewed recently, sits in the wings waiting to make its appearance, but looks, if anything, as if it may be more expensive than the Epson R2400 and HP B9180 (though we must bear in mind that all we have this far are a few RRP figures, which don't mean much).

Whilst there's always scope for improvements, things have got so good already that future improvements may well be rather small.

If you want pigments, the Epson R800 and R1800 are worth a look, particularly if it's glossy prints you're interested in. However, the B9180 is an excellent machine, and certainly in the UK it's a little cheaper than the Epson R2400. When you take account of the ink included in the B9180 (as I mentioned here, which I presume is the thread you're referring to), about half the price difference between the B8350 and B9180 in the UK is accounted for by the extra ink you get with a B9180.


In other words, if you want a B9180, I'd buy one. Even if you think your efforts don't justify such a printer yet, you know that your prints should last - and you may be very grateful for that in the years to come.

One final consideration is that if you don't already have a screen calibration and profiling setup, you may like to consider the B9180gp bundle. I believe I'm right in saying that the included system is a HP branded Gretag Macbeth Eye One Display 2, at a considerable discount over buying that product separately.



David

[Costas L]

If you wait a little while, PMA is at the end of Feb so we should start to see announcements of new products over the next 4 weeks. Trouble is, many then take 6 months to get to market although some may be just waiting for the show announcements before NDAs are lifted

[DavidW]

That's very true - well, PMA 2007 is early March, actually - 8-11 March rings a bell.


However, the B9180 is new, the Canon Pro 9500 isn't out yet and, as I said, Epson have recently launched a new Ultrachrome K3 machine in the 3800. I can't see HP or Canon announcing anything new in this segment. Epson may have something new up its sleeve, though how soon a printer will be available if they do announce a new generation remains to be seen. I'd be surprised to see a new generation so soon after a K3 machine was launched, though maybe the R2400 is ready for a refresh.

I'm struggling to see what Epson will do if they don't have a new inkset. A refreshed R2400 may gain Ethernet capabilities and may (considering the way Epson seems to be going) lose its roll paper capabilities, but that doesn't really change much. If they have a nine or ten channel head, that would be a worthwhile change to the existing model (no more PK/MK ink swapping, possible availability of gloss optimiser), but these didn't appear on the 3800.

Further, both the B9180 and the Canon Pro 9500 were announced a long way ahead of any availability (the B9180 was something like eight months, the Pro 9500 was announced nearly a year ago and still isn't available).


As always, you pay your money and you take your choice - though just because a piece of equipment is superseded, it doesn't make the superseded item lose any of its capabilities.



David

[debuinpeaks]

I greatly appreciate your response. I have not been able to find a B9180gp bundle in the US yet, but will spend more time on this during the weekend.

Again, I really am grateful for this site and your knowledge.

Thanks,

Debbie

[enduser]

I forsee the possibility of further "Claria" ink printers. Some archival results are already claimed, and it's not just a re-branding or a materials re-mix. There has been some serious chemistry at the molecular level done on these inks.

If an archival on-any-paper dye ink became a reality it would take over the art printing space.

[DavidW]

If an archival on-any-paper dye ink became a reality it would take over the art printing space.

Personally, I wouldn't be holding my breath. Dye ink longevity is getting better all the time, but it the improvements tend to be limited in that they only work with a particular combination of ink, paper and storage conditions. Pigments tend to have long life on a wide range of media with a wide range of storage conditions.



David