Epson r3000 - MIS inks

froyd · 10-26-2011

I've been a big fan of the MIS UltraChrome inksets with my Epson 2200 and I have used them successfully for years.

I'm now thinking of upgrading to an r3000 for easier BW, but I've discovered that while MIS provides K3-equivalent inks, they do not do so for the r3000 (yet).

I'm looking for recommendation on alternative high quality third party inks that are available for the r3000. I'd prefer ones that do not require line purging and can be mixed with the OEM K3s if needed.

PS- I'm not interested in advice to stick to Epson ink -- I know what I'm doing

tedwhite · 12-14-2011

I have no clue - my R2400 just died - and I'm thinking of moving to an R3000. Let me know if you find those 3rd party inks. I will be interested in hearing how they work out.

Ted

muser53 · 12-14-2011

You might check out Jon Cone's Inkjet Mall...I noticed last week that they will soon be supporting the R3000.

froyd · 12-14-2011

Thanks for the heads up.

So far this printer has been nothing but a pleasure to use. Far less finicky than my old 2200!

Bob Michaels · 12-14-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by froyd

......................... but I've discovered that while MIS provides K3-equivalent inks, they do not do so for the r3000 (yet). ............................

Have you asked Bob Zeiss at MIS if they actually have them or not? If not, when? Good company, good products, but they sometime seem to get a bit tangled up with what they actually have and do not have. And, I have heard "Oh yeah, we have to fix that on the website sometime"

I wonder if anyone has determined if the 3000 inks are really different from the 2800/2880 inks.

froyd · 12-14-2011

Yes, I called and asked in October and received a "not yet" reply from somebody in customer service (I did not note the name).

They probably figure they had some time since most people would take a little while to go through the ink that shipped with the printer.

tedwhite · 12-25-2011

I just bought and set up a new R3000. It's certainly a generation or two ahead of my R2400. The set up was smooth, the software functioned flawlessly, I quite like the little window in front that tells you what's going on, and the two blacks (matte and photo) was the deal maker for me, plus the $200 rebate coupon you get when you buy from B&H.

Of course the manual says NEVER NEVER NEVER buy any but genuine Epson inks!

As for the printer, a bit of a learning curve, at least for me (being computer challenged).
Should have it sorted out soon.

RE: aftermarket inks, has anyone had problems with them?

Bob Michaels · 12-25-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedwhite

I just bought and set up a new R3000. It's certainly a generation or two ahead of my R2400. ..................

Ted: Please let me know what practical differences you see from your old 2400 after you get the feel of your 3000.

I am still loving my 2400 but it seems to be developing some sort of internal USB connectivity problem. I had this with a previous 2400 when it got to be about 3 years old and it was definitely internal to the printer. That time I bought another 2400 even though the 2800 had been released because I had a supply of 2400 ink. Now 2400s are no longer available, so I may have to buy either a 2880 or 3000.

tedwhite · 12-25-2011

I thought also about the 2800, but it still required changing blacks when you wanted to switch from glossy to matte. the R3000 has the good inks and the wells are much larger so you don't have to change them as often, plus I think the per-ml is slightly less.

As I become familiar with it and get some hours under my belt I'll be able to speak more intelligently about it, Bob.

Ted

Bob Michaels · 12-25-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedwhite

......................... As I become familiar with it and get some hours under my belt I'll be able to speak more intelligently about it, Bob.
Ted

Ted, thanks. I will be looking for your report down the road.
Bob

tedwhite · 02-01-2012

Jon Cone now has the refill system for the R3000. The kit with all the necessary items is on sale for $313. I don't have the skills (math) to determine the savings, but from one customer review they seem substantial.

Bob, I really can't provide any sort of useful review of the R3000 as I've only been doing digital for a few years. Having said that, it is clearly a superior printer in terms of the finished product (i.e. the print). Also, the menus supplied by the software make customization much, much easier. I made two more 13x19 prints for a customer and they were clearly superior to the earlier ones I made with the R2400.

Ted

Bob Michaels · 02-01-2012

Ted: thanks for the update.

I have owned a number of bulk ink systems over the years. I eventually concluded it was simpler to refill carts. Jon Cone makes good inks but they have always been very high priced. I buy mine from MIS Associates in MI.

I will check out the Epson 3000 although I must say I have been very happy with the 2400s I have owned.

shadowfox · 02-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by froyd

I'm now thinking of upgrading to an r3000 for easier BW, but I've discovered that while MIS provides K3-equivalent inks, they do not do so for the r3000 (yet).

PS- I'm not interested in advice to stick to Epson ink -- I know what I'm doing

I don't doubt that you know what you're doing, but not having the R3000, how do you know that Epson's ink won't be sufficient for you on it? that printer has three levels of black, doesn't it?

Bob Michaels · 02-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowfox

I don't doubt that you know what you're doing, but not having the R3000, how do you know that Epson's ink won't be sufficient for you on it? that printer has three levels of black, doesn't it?

The Epson 2400, 2800, 2880, 3800 and 3880 all have the LLK, LK & K plus the Epson built in RIP and do excellent b&w prints with the Epson ink. I assume the new 3000 is the same. The only downside to the Epson ink is the price. The MIS inks are equivalent but available in 4 oz. bottles rather than 12 cc carts for the same price.

froyd · 02-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowfox

I don't doubt that you know what you're doing, but not having the R3000, how do you know that Epson's ink won't be sufficient for you on it? that printer has three levels of black, doesn't it?

I've used the MIS inkstand for many years on an old 2200. I like the results and the cost savings enough that I would consider using the MIS K3 equivalent inkstand in my new 3000. This a full Colorado inkset, not a monochrome set.

In any case, I'm still workink through the set of original epson inkstand that shipped with the printer. I do love the bigger cart size!