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I'm buying an Epson R1800

From what I see the Ilford paper is the way to go so I'm about to buy some. There are two basic types - smooth and classic. The Smooth is nanoporous so dries faster but fades quicker while the Classic is resin coated so dries slower, but fades less. There's more on the differences here

So my question to those of you with experience with this printer & paper combo:

Which do you find better the smooth or the classic?

stubbsy wrote:I'm buying an Epson R1800

From what I see the Ilford paper is the way to go so I'm about to buy some. There are two basic types - smooth and classic. The Smooth is nanoporous so dries faster but fades quicker while the Classic is resin coated so dries slower, but fades less. There's more on the differences here

So my question to those of you with experience with this printer & paper combo:

Which do you find better the smooth or the classic?

As general rule, classic optimized for dye inks and incompartible to pigment. Smooth, while it's compartible with dye, optimized for pigment inks. My Canon i965 is dye-type, when Epson 1800, 2100, 2400 are pigment type printers

Choosing the correct paper type from Ilford

That's all way too complex for me.

The pearl paper looks and feels great, and is basically the same look and feel as some of the more traditional papers, and that's why I use it.

gstark wrote:That's all way too complex for me.

The pearl paper looks and feels great, and is basically the same look and feel as some of the more traditional papers, and that's why I use it.

They are "Classic Pearl" and "Smooth Pearl". As a proud owner of Epson R1800 you are supposed to use "Smooth Pearl"

Both of them are great - just made for different types of inks

gstark wrote:That's all way too complex for me.

The pearl paper looks and feels great, and is basically the same look and feel as some of the more traditional papers, and that's why I use it.

Gary - I'm a complex kinda guy! Thanks for the info.

Mikhail - thanks for the info too and the reference (which is excellent BTW). I'll order the Smooth Pearl then.

Stubbsy, I use Smooth and love it. Wish I could say I made a technical reason to buy it like Mikhail, just really tried it after Gary's advice and stuck with it since.

 PS congrats on the R1800, I am sure it will do your beautiful images proud

I find epson stock equal to ilford on Epsons printers......... but then again a profiled computer and printer should always give good results.....

....... also just having a profiled computer is not enough......... but the Epson canned profiles are very good if you are unable to profile your printer..........

....... this Epson site is worth a look if you are doing your own prints......

http://tech.epson.com.au/downloads/prod ... rch+%3E%3E

big pix wrote:I find epson stock equal to ilford on Epsons printers......... but then again a profiled computer and printer should always give good results.....

Glossy? Maybe ...
Does Epson have Pearl paper? I don't think so ...
For everything 5x7" and bigger I'm using Ilford Classic Pearl only and it looks much better than very good Canon Photo Paper Pro

Hlop wrote:

big pix wrote:I find epson stock equal to ilford on Epsons printers......... but then again a profiled computer and printer should always give good results.....

Glossy? Maybe ...
Does Epson have Pearl paper? I don't think so ...
For everything 5x7" and bigger I'm using Ilford Classic Pearl only and it looks much better than very good Canon Photo Paper Pro

YES they do but it is hard to get and it is called "SMOOTH FINE ART" also Epson "SEMIMATTE PHOTO PAPER [250] is also very good and easy to buy........

I print on both Epson and Ilford as I have made profiles for both stocks, for my computers, and have found no difference between the two different brands with quality of output using an Epson 2100.

The reason I use both, I have found that my local Harvey N store will have one or the other and rare to find both in the store at the same time ........

....... also the CANSON and ARCHES range of fine art stocks are very good .......... borge in Crows Nest stock these two or can get it in........ also Kayell stock some of the range........

Thank you all for the great info. Now all I've got to do is wait till next week for the printer

Peter, I too use the Classic Smooth Pearl Paper simply because it was recommended to me by the likes of our admins and mods Gary, Leigh and Glen! I couldn't go wrong! I love the results this baby gives me. You will love it!! Congrats!

And we should hopefully be able to try the continuous inking system on Birdddddog's 2100 at the minimeat this Saturday.


We'll bring some paper if somebody drags along some negs.

gstark wrote:And we should hopefully be able to try the continuous inking system on Birdddddog's 2100 at the minimeat this Saturday.


We'll bring some paper if somebody drags along some negs.

Drags along some what? Oh..some CF cards?

Wish we could be there but I'll be shooting a wedding!!

I've been using Ilford Classic Pearl with the Canon Pixma iP8500 with very nice results. Does take a little while to dry properly but worth the wait.

Interestingly Mark the Pixma i8500 is the printer I'm replacing with the Epson R1800

stubbsy wrote:Interestingly Mark the Pixma i8500 is the printer I'm replacing with the Epson R1800

Not wanting to hijack the thread, why the change? I did look at the Epson but it was a lot more expensive. I got the Canon for $550 from David Jones of all places (had some DJs gift vouchers to use up) The R1800 does A3 doesn't it?

.......yes.......

Mark. Fair question and not really a hijack

Like bernie said - I want it for the A3. Otherwise the Pixma i8500 is one awesome printer (although it must be said that the R1800 uses pigment inks whereas the Canon uses dye and apparently pigment is better).

R1800 does A3+ (329x483mm)

so you get a + thrown in Stubbsy on top of your A3