Select page here Page 1 - The video review Page 2 - Setting up Page 3 - First prints Page 4 - Monochrome printing Page 5 - Monochrome prints Page 6 - Gloss or not Page 7 - Colour (1) Page 8 - Colour(2) Page 9 - Media and Matte Black Page 10 - R2400 v SP2100 - 2200 Page 11 - Software Page 12 - Specifications Page 13 - Conclusion

Conclusion

Next to the first prints page, I know this is the one you have been waiting for. So where do I begin with the EPSON Stylus Photo R2400 printer? Perhaps I will start off by making this sweeping statement:

"The EPSON Stylus Photo R2400 doesn't compete with traditional wet chemistry photographs - it doesn't need to as it is streets ahead of anything I have seen produced in a darkroom".

The R2400 is an easy printer to set up, the paper feed slots are well placed and handled all the media well. I don't like the roll media option, purely because it is awkward to fit and set up. I have never managed to uncurl the photos, especially when the media is from the end of the roll. The SP2100 included a media cutter, the R2400 doesn't have this facility, you have to chop your prints up manually. The rear feed paper slot handled the media very well, and I didn't experience any multiple sheet feeds. The front manual feed requires a few steps before you can start to print, you have to feed in the media until it aligns up with an arrow and then press the top paper feed button. The card media is then automatically pulled in and you can start the printing process. I did experience problems with the front manual feed, but this was due to my own error. The front manual feed is for card media up to 1.3mm thickness only and shouldn't be used for normal paper media - I found this out the hard way. You should also ensure that there is sufficient space behind the printer to allow the media to exit without crumpling up against a wall.

For the rear manual feed you must attach the rear sheet guide. Once fitted, turn on the printer and place your media in the slot (Velvet Fine Art, Watercolour - Radiant white and Ultra smooth fine art media). Push the media down until it meets with resistance and then continue to apply pressure until the printer takes up the media. Once this is done you can start to print. I did encounter several paper jam errors (flashing red light) but this can be put down to user error rather than printer error.

Print times are more than respectable - a full coverage A4 print takes approx 2 minutes 42 seconds and a full coverage A3 print took 5 minutes 41 seconds. The printer supports borderless printing, but not on media fed via the front manula feed slot. Ink usage was better than I had expected, the screen shot indicates less than half of each colour is still available. I produced 38 A4 prints and two A3+ plus prints - the matte black produced about 8 of the prints and one A3+

Ink usage after the review - the matte Black is fitted

Compared to the SP2100/2200, the R2400 is a stylish looking printer, but lacks the solid feel of the 2100. There is no doubt that the 2100 is a better built printer, but it's the output that counts, and on this account the R2400 leaves the 2100 as runner up. It's a pity that Epson couldn't have made the R2400 cartridges compatible with the 2100, but then I guess Epson want you to buy a new printer. In this respect Canon has remained loyal to its customers by keeping the same ink tanks for all their printers, a point that is appreciated by users.

In print quality terms, the R2400 has produced the best prints I have seen from any inkjet printer. The colours are vibrant and jump off the page. The glossy media is still not there, especially when you compare it to a Canon glossy print, but then not everyone wants a high gloss print (after all they also show up fingerprints and mark easily). I love the Velvet Fine Art media, these prints have a real feeling of quality - I would be more than happy to sell limited edition prints made with this media.

It's now time to stop comparing inkjet prints with darkroom prints, the inkjet has proved itself to be a worthy successor. I would not even think about going back into a darkroom, nor would I use a pro lab for my colour prints - why should I when the results from colour printers are so good? As with everything, from sports cars to HiFi or cameras, one product will stand out above the rest, this will be the product that we all aspire to owning. The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 is at the top of the printer list for those who want the very best in photo quality.

Would I buy this printer?

The Golden-i award is given to a product that meets the needs of the photographer and produces unrivalled excellence

You can win an EPSON Stylus Photo R2400 - click here for details