 Site Links |
 |
|
|
Epson Stylus Photo 750 Ink Jet Printer
By David B. Brooks • August, 1999
| |
This
fall photo of Aspens in the Colorado mountains, originally
a 6x4.5 Ektachrome, was scanned with the Expression 800
and printed with the 750 faithfully replicating the original
film image, using my new Mac G3 with both Epson products
running quite nicely on it.
Photos © 1999, David B. Brooks, All Rights Reserved
|
|
Epson has consistently led
the way in popularity among photo-realistic ink jet printers, and is
staying ahead with this new model Stylus Photo 750. The shape is the
same as the original Stylus Photo, but now it’s in charcoal and
black. Under the surface the 750 performs with an even smaller ink drop
size of 6 picoliters down from 11. This defines detail more sharply
and makes smooth tones look smoother. Also in the physical performance
department, the printing speed has been increased. In addition, the
750 now has a USB port which also accelerates printing getting the data
to the printer faster. On the software side of the package there are
now new options from which to select to get just the kind of image interpretation
desired. Backing this up are new and more effective color management
profiles, which are now combined in a single ICC or ICM file. All of
this advanced photo-realistic performance in a letter sized printer
will have an estimated street cost of $299.
Printing With The Epson
Stylus Photo 750. It was a particular advantage to have the Stylus
Photo 750 to test and evaluate in the same time frame as the Expression
800 scanner. First, the printer provided hard copy proof of what the scanner
did. Second, it provided the opportunity to fully evaluate the functioning
of the Monaco Profiler Lite software bundled with the 800. Finally, and
I didn’t know this going in, it provided a demonstration of the
advantages of color management on Windows 98 when it works--which has
been pretty hit and miss until now.
|
| |
Very clean, neutral whites are effectively contrasted against
strongly saturated flower colors and natural looking green
foliage in a print made by the Stylus Photo 750.
|
|
In addition to images scanned
with the Expression 800, I also printed 35mm scans made with a Nikon Super
CoolScan 2000 with SilverFast, as well as some of the images scanned with
the Imacon FlexTight Precision I recently reviewed. In all instances these
images were originally opened and tweaked if necessary in Photoshop 5.0.2
and saved with the colorspace profile embedded. Then with a now calibrated
monitor and using the Epson Stylus Photo 750 to print out of Photoshop,
the entire workflow was effectively color managed. For the first time
with Windows 98 I was fairly sure of the image file I was printing, and
that the output qualities truly reflected the attributes of the printer,
and were not the result of hidden inadequacies in the image file, or influenced
by a monitor setup that displayed the image values inaccurately. Why was
I so sure? I was able to duplicate the process and workflow with the Expression
800 scanner and the Stylus Photo 750 printer also connected to my new
Mac G3, and obtained almost identical results.
|
| |
The
Stylus Photo 750 software driver interface has been streamlined
for easier use while new and more powerful photo printing
options have been provided.
|
|
Evaluation And Recommendation.
Epson has built solidly on the qualities which have made their printers
photo-realistic ink jet favorites with photographers in this new Stylus
Photo 750 printer. It is as claimed faster; it produces sharper smoother
print images; and its software provides more printing options as well
as reliable color management function with Win-dows 98 and the Mac. The
results I obtained were uncannily consistent, a shock after so long experiencing
unpredictable, hit and miss print successes. So even if you have an Epson
ink jet that has satisfied you, is it worth trading up to the latest?
The answer is a very definite yes.
For more information, contact Epson at (800) 463-7766, or visit their
web site at: www.epson.com.
|
|
Pictorico Ink Jet Media
Although ink jet printer manufacturers
like Epson offer printing media specifically for their printers, none
offer much variety of base media or surface texture. Pictorico is a new
brand with a wide selection of media types and different surface textures
that was developed by Asahi Glass Company of Japan and is made available
in the US by AGA Chemical by direct sale from their web site.
I obtained some samples, and took particular interest in respect of this
Epson Stylus Photo 750 test, in the Pictorico Photo Glossy paper. This
paper has a monodirectional, transparent layer of uniform, ultra-fine
ceramic particles. Minute regularly shaped pores in this surface provide
ink absorption promoting quick drying and minimal bleeding. In addition,
images printed on Pictorico Photo Glossy are water-resistant. Appearance
wise, compared to many glossy ink jet papers I’ve tested, there
is no change in the very fine surface texture when an ink jet image is
applied. The application of printer ink does not change the shine of the
surface, nor cause the surface to swell proportionally to the density
of the image making the print surface look like the emulsion of an old-style
film. In addition the ultra-fine texture of the Pictorico acts like anti-glare
glass reducing surface light reflections while maintaining the deep, rich
saturation associated with glossy papers.
To obtain more information about Pictorico Ink Jet Media, including other
media for printers like the Epson Stylus Photo models, or to place orders,
visit their web site at: www.pictorico.com.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
