Which used Epson printer? Advice sought...

I don't make much money from my photography; it's more of an expensive hobby! Yet, I'd like to own a 13" wide printer. Recent eBay auctions of such printers (1270, 1280, 2000P) have averaged around $200.00 to $250.00. Any advice from those who own any of these? Thanks in advance...


--jim h

It all depends on what you want to do with your printer. If you're looking to print for sale, or for any archival purposes, I'd at least go for an Epson 2200. The R1800 is about $500 new, so if you can't find an amazing bargain, I'd just break down and buy one of those; then you'll know the state of the printer.

If buying used, try to find a printer that has only seen original manufacturer inks.

- - What are you printing for? - - YOurself, or for framed sales?
If you just want prints for family use I have a good photo quality printer for sale
in the classifieds right now, and most of the price is for the extra new ink cartridges that comes with it.
Otherwise I would get an archival printer like the R2400.

You get what you pay for, so figure it from there.

I'd shoot for the R1800 or 2200 if you can. These printers have better inks than the earlier ones and I think you'll have fewer problems with them. The earlier printers use earlier attempts at pigments or were dye based. The dye based inks have a shorter lifespan. The early pigments have alot of metamerrism(sp?) and bronzing issues that could limit you paper choices.

Ya, I think I'll hold off for now and not bother with the older models.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond!


--jim h

I agree that you can't print from a printer you don't have. However, the 2200 and R1800 are much cheaper than the R2400 and provide similar results without alot of the problems that came with the earlier systems. If my choices were to spend $200-300 on a 1280 or $500 on an R1800, I'd save the 200 for the R1800.

R2400. Don't bother with less. The 4800 will save you money in the long run just with ink/