Epson Stylus Photo R800, Epson Stylus Photo R1800, Epson Stylus Photo R2400, with 8-color UltraChrome K3 archival ink

For several years Epson has had the total lead in sales of desktop upscale photo printers. Epson outsold Canon and HP for several reasons: first, Epson listens well to artists and photographers, especially entry-level.

Epson technology has led the field.

But at PMA trade show, both Canon and HP finally responded. Canon issued their PIXMA Pro9000 and Pro 9500. HP already had their Photosmart 8750 series but at PMA in February 2006, the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 appeared.

So far, in part because Epson had impressive printers earliest, Epson sales have been well-deservedly healthy.

I am familiar with the Epson Stylus Photo R800 since Photokina 2004 and before. The popularity of this technology resulted in the development of the Epson Stylus Photo R1800 and R2400.

You can order these reports from FLAAR

For the last two years FLAAR has dedicated itself to covering the rapidly developing UV-curable inkjet technology (on www.wide-format-printers.org). UV-printers cost between $57,000 to $570,000, at sizes that average 72-inch widths. Now that we offer over 63 publications on UV-curable inkjet printers we are returning to desktop sized printers.

During 2006 substantial technology advances in ink and image quality have happened in 13-inch through 17-inch desktop sized printers for photography, fine art photography, and giclee. These traditional water-based ink printers cost between $399 and $1,800. Because all the exciting new printers are first released at desktop sizes, FLAAR is expanding our coverage (previously limited to 24-inches and wider), down to desktop sizes. It will take us a while to handle the new crop of Canon, HP, and Epson printers, but since our experience is with advanced digital photography, fine art photo printing, and giclee, we have the experience, staff, and initiative to cover this popular format, primarily those that are tabloid size.

First posted February 26, 2006

Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008

Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and Maya archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now, for the last six years, he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography. Since FLAAR works both in a studio as well as out on location, we are an ideal focus for judging portability. We have experience with large format digital scan backs (the excellent BetterLight) and we also use Nikon (D300) and Canon (EOS 5D) digital cameras. A full-service digital pro should have at least one medium format digital system and should consider large format digital options as well. FLAAR also has an 80-megapixel large format camera (yes, they do exist, we have a Cruse). Although we started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 AFD body and lenses, we are open to showcasing all bodies as well as other digital backs. Indeed we tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. For a month (February 2006) it was possible to evaluate a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. We are also considering the Rolleiflex 6008 AF, one of the outstanding medium format cameras that still offers European precision. However in the last 40 years we have not received any Rollei (or Franke & Heidecke) equipment for evaluation, so we can comment only on the Hasselblad and Mamiya (loaned briefly two years ago by Mamiya America). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in the digital photography evaluation initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. Curently all the medium format backs are coming from Global Imaging Inc, Greg Lamb, CEO (contact 800 787-9802, press 4, fax 212 722-0988). This is one of the few camera stores in the entire US or Canada that offers ALL major brands of medium format (so they have no incentive to push one brand over the other). However we are also open to receiving medium format backs directly from the manufacturer. Over 381,154 visitors came to this www.digital-photography.org web site to learn which cameras, lighting, tripods, and accessories have proven themselves during evaluation by FLAAR. Since we deliberately do not review low-end cameras, our reviews attract a sophisticated audience. The total "visit" count is 791.562 during 2007, but we prefer to use the visitor count, 381.154 as being more realistic. FLAAR is the de facto source of information on medium format digital cameras because we are university based, independent, blunt, and we are one of the few review sources that dares to review advertising specs, advertising claims, and advertising hype. We can afford to reveal all the pros and cons because FLAAR is a research institute. Photographers feel they can trust a university research professor who has devoted years to understanding the pros and cons of each aspect of a digital camera system and workflow. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.