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August 11, 2009

Epson Stylus Photo R2880 review

Product Code: C11CA16305

No large format photo printer is easy to use - but the Epson Stylus Photo R2880 is more simple than most.

The Epson Stylus Photo R2880 also has a clear edge in speed. Our test print of colour patches was output in a little over 80 seconds on the R2880 - that's half the time that some similar printers take to output the same file on the same settings on the same paper.

When printing photos on premium, glossy paper, the Epson Stylus Photo R2880's output is close to the original files. We printed photographs at A3 and A4 as well as test patches on all the machines.

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The Epson Stylus Photo R2880 came up with results that weren't too lurid - that seemed real. Let's not forget, commercial film processing habitually ramps up the colour gamut to produce images that are more "vibrant" - meaning more saturated. The Epson R2880 lets you make your own mind up and the results are pleasingly cool and measured without being washed out.

We also printed scanned illustrations on to art paper. In this department, the Epson Stylus Photo R2880 faired less well - printing a little fuzzily on to the sample Fine Art Photo Rag stock supplied. We switched the paper out to some none-profiled, acid free watercolour paper and achieved better results - but the Canon Pixma Pro9500 seemed to win this round, with sharper lines and harder edges.

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Epson has packed several tech innovations from other models into the Epson Stylus Photo R2880. The lauded UltraChrome K3 system - initially implemented in their highest end range - is responsible for the R2880's lifelike colour reproduction.

One bugbear we have with the system here is that you need to manually swap between Photo Black and Matte Black cartridges for different print jobs. It seems like that shouldn't have been an insurmountable design problem to overcome automatically; an extra tank space, a software switch in the driver. Easier said than done though, of course.

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Epson Stylus Photo R2880 scored:
9.1 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 31 reviews:

07 Jan 2009 Terry, HIGH WYCOMBE

Good Points

Superb quality printing , easy to use software , superb colour rendition , range of paper sizes and media acceptability , direct cd printing , thick media , roll media . Prints that will last our lifetime . Extremely lifelike prints . I don't see the speed option as relevant as those that want quality are prepared to wait and it's fast enough for me compared to older printers .

Bad Points

would not suit those who want hi - glossy prints , more for people who want natural looking prints . This is geared towards the pro - end if the market , that's not a bad point just needs those wishing to buy to know .

27 Aug 2008 Ernest, Barnstaple

9

Good Points

It gives me top class prints first time, elimiting the time wasting repeats that I had become used to previously. Also, the printing is much faster and a much more rewarding experience.

Bad Points

Expensive to run.

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Epson Stylus Photo R2880

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