My evaluation is that there is no advantagefor anyone owning an Epson 1270to upgrade to a 1280( as there definitely was a year ago from the 1200to the 1270). There isa visible difference though when examining the prints under a 4X or higher magnification high-quality loupe. To repeat, there is essentially novisible difference to the naked eye in resolution, clarity or dithering visibility between Epson 1270and 1280prints. This is a case of theoretical and marketing specs Vs. In fact, except in mid-to-dark tone transition areas it’s almost impossible to see the dithering patterns at all in 2880 dpi mode. Again, there was a difference, with the 2880 dpi print displaying even less dithering than at 1440 dpi. I then compared the two 1280 prints 1440 dpi Vs. The dithering texture that one sees under high magnification with a 1270image just isn’t therein 1440 dpi prints from a 1280. The dithering pattern used in the new 1280software is clearly superior to that of the 1270. The colour palette was also essentially identical.īut, when I examined the prints under a high quality ( Schneider 4X MC) loupe things were quite interesting. As far as visible resolution differences go, no print looked more or less sharp than any other, even under close visual examination. ( I’m too lazy to get out the spectrophotometer for an exact reading). Here’s the quick answer to how they turned out: All three prints looked essentially identical.The 1280prints were ever so slightly darker than those from the 1270 ‚ less than an eighth of a stop. Other papers were subsequently tested as well. Each printer’s provided profiles were used. I used Epson Premium Semi-Gloss, printing with a 360 dpi output file from Photoshop 6. My tests consisted primarily of making three variation prints using a standard test file. I was also curious to see if the enhanced colour gamut would be visible. Of these enhancements the only one that I consider of importance is the 2880 dpi printing mode. The same ink cartridges as the 1270uses are used on the 1280. Physical cosmetics are slightly different, and that’s about it. It ships with a roll paper carrier ( this was extra cost on the 1270) and also has the ability to print edgelessly on certain papers at certain sizes. The printer is also capable of 2880dpi horizontal resolution Vs. Epson claims a somewhat enhanced colour gamut. The 1280is a modest upgrade to last year’s 1270. If not, please read my reviewfrom the Spring of 2000. The Claimsįirstly, this review assumes that you are already familiar with the Epson 1270. It uses the same inks and papers as the 1270but is touted as having 2880 dpi resolution‚ double that of the 1270. As I said in my initial review, " After some 35 years as a photographer, printer and teacher I can say that the Epson 1270 along with its new inks and papers is the first inkjet printer that can claim to supplant traditional wet process photographic printing! " Regrettably this hubbub masked the fact that the Epson 1270has been the finest photographic quality inkjet printer available to date. The furor has now died down and the problem appears to have disappeared with the recall and subsequent replacement of this paper. For a while Epson was even offering people their money back if they were unhappy as a result of this problem. The 1270has had a bit of choppy year because of reported problems with orange fadewhen using Epson Premium Glossy Photopaper.
My reviewof the 1270 still remains one of the most visited pages on this site. ( Equaling Cibachrome / Ilfochrome in this area). It offered 6 inks, 1440 dpi output resolution and 20‚ 30 years colorfastness with certain papers. At that time it caused a real stir among desktop printers. It’s been exactly a year since the Epson 1270appeared. Everything I write here about the 1280applies to the 1290and also to the 890, in that particular case with the exception of paper-width handling ability. There is also an 890model, offing the same image quality but with a narrower paper transport.
( In some worldwide markets it is also called the 1290 ‚ same printer, just a different name). Like clockwork‚ and as it does every 12 months, in early 2001 Epsonreleased its next-generation photographic printer, the Epson Stylus Photo 1280. This subject will be featured in a forthcoming issue of The Luminous Landscape Video Journal.
0 kommentar(er)
