is R1800 the PX-G5000?

[michael.luczkow]

I'm sold on the PX-G5000. I saw it in the store, I saw the prints with my own eyes and compared them to the high end canon printer... they are so much better. I was about to go to the store and buy the PX-G5000 even the drivers are all in Japanese (mostly katakana anyway so it's not a big deal). Then I read somewhere that the R1800 is the PX-G5000. I have a few questions about that.

1. Is it true, please show me something that says that
2. The cost... if this printer is better than the canon 9900 (which i say it is by the prints) then why is it the same price (here) about 67000 yen or about 660 dollars?
3. The cost... if this printer is better than the 2200 then why is it cheaper (the R1800 is advertised at 499 on epsons site)
4. The cost... (If they are the same) why is the R1800 $499 and the PX-G5000 $660?

My main question though is, are they the same printer? because like I said whatever name badge it has on it, the PX-G5000 has me sold. and if the R1800 is the US version of the same damn thing, it's cheaper, AND it's in english... then i'll wait a few weeks and get the R1800.

Sound advice please.... I know this forum is good for it. :-) Thanks

[mbze430]

Can't say they are the same. And through Epson history. The Japenese printer usually have something the rest of the world don't have. But based on their info, they have pretty much of the same "specs".

[KevC]

It is possible. But remmeber when comparing prices, don't do a straight conversion. You must remember that we live in different economies, and have different costs of living. That's why it may be 67k yen in Japan and only $499 in USA.

[michael.luczkow]

well i know canon 20Ds are around 1600 for a body here in japan so i can see the cost difference. If they are the same i'll op for the english one. but if they are not, i'll deal with the japanese interface. those prints look that good.

[michael.luczkow]

or dare I consider the 4000?

Does anyone actually have one of these?

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/epson-4000-update.shtml

[mbze430]

Personally I am waiting for a 8ink solution to replace the 4000.

[Hellashot]

I've seen posts on here how Canon products are often higher priced in countries outside the US when converting the cost monitary systems for an equal cost comparasion.

[Avalonthas]

Remember when u go to a retail store and look at actual printouts, 9/10 times the printouts are supplied by the product manufactuer (this case Epson) and if thats the case, they use the best cam on the market with a extremely highr resolution photo to print out so u get an amazing shot, not to mention those shots go through heavy post processing. So if thats the case (you can sometimes do a check by seeing what kinda paper the print is on. If its Epson, then they probably made it themselves, because chains would generally use there cheapest paper to make the printout) then you must remember your camera may bot be the 1DsMII that they used, so the quality isnt going to be neccessarily the same, nor i doubt u can afford to do 20 hours worth of post processing to make the perfect photograph.

If you happen to get the 1/10 chance of the print being actually printed by the store/chain then again they might be using a super camera from there shelves or hired a pro to take some shots for the chain and then distribute it to there stores, so u must remember this when viewing in store prints.

So if Epson spent longer then Canon working on the ultimate post processed image, then u might be getting false results. But some Epsons can do a great job so you may be right.

[michael.luczkow]

well i see no point in printing an A3 size image that hasn't been post processed to perfection and also use good paper, but yeah, i get what you are saying. I'm not looking for a bulk printer though. I'm looking for a high end printer for prints that will get framed and hung on my wall or sold.