Re: Epson 4900 Calibration
Re: Epson 4900 Calibration
- Subject: Re: Epson 4900 Calibration
- From: Terence Wyse <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:10:46 -0400
Gee, Roger, you put me on the spot. :-)
Comparing apples-to-apples (HP z2100 vs. Epson 9890), I've gotten great dE numbers with both....did some GRACoL profiles for a customer on my HPz2100 over the weekend and got just under .25 dE average with no patches > 2.0. Just to qualify that, that's using GMG's subset of ECI2002/IT8.7/4 patches (about 1300 patches out of the full 1600 patch set)...that would likely translate into .35-.50 average with possibly a handful of dE's > 2.0. On the other side of the fence, I installed a pair of Epson 9890s + Spectroproofers with GMG a couple of weeks ago and got very similar numbers. So from a (measured) color accuracy standpoint, I'd say both printers are very good. (side note...a more fair test for the HP z2100 would be comparing to either a 9800 or 9880 and in that comparison, at least for "stability", I would say the HP wins). Either way, those are tough numbers to beat with other RIPs that I've used.
I've really grown to like the HP z2100 (the z6100 not so much) and consider it very stable and with good print quality overall. On the other hand, these new Epson x900 and x890 printers are very fast and VERY quiet with the image quality you expect from an Epson.
As far as visual differences, I would have to say that the HP z printers suffer from a bit of bronzing (or is it gloss differential? can't keep the two straight) in the black midtones. I could hypothesize that it comes from using only two blacks instead of three like the Epsons but I'm not sure. For proofing applications, that's a nit-pick but for fine art printing, it might be a concern.
As far as the spectros in these printers...tough call....on one hand you have a slightly more advanced technology in the HP z series in my opinion (it's basically a ColorMunki...NOT an Eye-One)...while the Epsons are relying on a bit older tech despite the fact that they came along later than the HP z embedded spectro...the Epson Spectroproofer is based on the defunct X-Rite DTP-20 "Pulse"...but the Pulse was and still is a very good device, better than the EyeOne Pro in my opinion although not quite as flexible.
One thing I worry about is the "cleanliness" of these internal spectros....on one hand, the HP "z" spectro is inside the machine so you'd think it would stay cleaner...but they tend to get dirty from paper dust (cutter) and maybe some ink spray. I've seen some of the older units suffer from calibration issues because the calibration tile gets dirty. Then you have the Epson Spectroproofer that, being on the outside of the machine, is maybe more susceptible to the environment...but the kicker is that the Spectroproofer is easily removed from the printer where the white or black backer can be cleaned and you can even get inside to the spectro and calibration tile. Tough call!
Does that answer your question Roger? :-)
Terry
On Mar 31, 2011, at 8:30 PM, Roger Breton wrote:
> Terry,
>
> Are you finding any visual differences between the recent Epson's and the
> HP's, say, both calibrated with GMG on the same substrate to the same
> specifications/standard?
>
> Sorry to put you on the spot.
>
> Best / Roger
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: colorsync-users-bounces+graxx=email@hidden
> [mailto:colorsync-users-bounces+graxx=email@hidden] On
> Behalf Of Terence Wyse
> Sent: March-31-11 5:58 PM
> To: 'colorsync-users?lists.apple.com' List
> Subject: Re: Epson 4900 Calibration
>
>
> On Mar 31, 2011, at 4:57 PM, Ken Fleisher wrote:
>
>> This seems to be an "internal calibration device". Correct? :)
>
> Yes, sort of. I would call it an "add-on" whereas the HP "Z" series printers
> truly have an internal spectro.
>
>> Does this
>> option only work with a RIP?
>
> I don't know about *ONLY* with RIPs....but it works very well with RIPs that
> support this feature.
>
>
>> Is there no way to do a calibration and have it just stored at the
>> printer? This would make the most sense to me.
>
> AFAIK, no, there's no way to store an internal calibration. The HP "Z"
> series can store an internal calibration but it's more of a linearization
> than it is a colorimetric calibration (only "calibrates" the pure ink
> channels but does not do any sort of hue correction that I know of).
>
>
>
>>
>> What I am looking for is the most convenient way to calibrate multiple
>> printers (six or more) that are accessed from multiple workstations
>> (at least eleven) which are on multiple network zones (not all
>> computers can access all printers). Suggestions?
>
> GMG Colorproof....it will start with a master calibration target and then
> create printer-specific calibration files. You specify the dE tolerance you
> would like to hold for all the printers and, optionally, set them up on an
> automatic calibration schedule. There's an upper limit as to how many
> printers you can manage from a single box (generally 4's the limit) but you
> can certainly install the master calibration file on to multiple GMG RIPs if
> necessary.
>
> I've done many GMG+HP z2100/6100 installs and just did my first GMG + 2 x
> Epson 9890+Spectroproofer install a few weeks ago and it just works.
>
> Regards,
> Terry Wyse
>
>
>
> ______________________________________
> Terence Wyse, WyseConsul
> Color Management Consulting
> G7 Certified Expert
> FIRST Level II Implementation Specialist
>
>
>
>
>
>
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