EPSON LAUNCHES LARGER FORMAT ECOTANK PRINTER
WHILE THE ORIGINAL A4 format Epson EcoTank printers were primarily intended for small office and home use, a number of testers found that they worked pretty well as photo printers and with all the economies of refillable ink tanks. With the launch of ‘premium’ fivecolour A3 format and A4 models, Epson is now targeting photographers, at least in the enthusiast and semi-pro categories. Depending on usage, both the new EcoTank printers are supplied with up to two years of ink with subsequent refills working out to be a lot cheaper than conventional cartridges. Epson claims the supplied ink is sufficient to produce 3400 10x15 cm photo prints. Additionally, there are the environmental benefits associated with a reduction in waste plastics (the supplied ink roughly replaces 30 sets of cartridges).
The EcoTank Expression Premium ET-7750 prints borderless up to A3 size using five colours – a pigmented photo black ink is the new addition – and supports Epson photo papers plus specialty media. The resolution is 5760x1440 dpi with Epson’s ‘Variable-Sized Droplet Technology’ delivering a minimum droplet size of 1.5 pico- litres. Double-sided printing is possible and the ET-7750 also functions as a flatbed scanner and photocopier. New ‘auto-stop’ ink bottles eliminate overfilling of the printer’s integrated tanks, and each colour is uniquely keyed to avoid filling the wrong tank. The provision of a USB port and SD format memory card allows for direct printing from these devices without the need to go via a computer, and a CD/DVD printing tray is provided. Epson says the new EcoTank Expression printers are capable of “lab quality photos” and a 4x6-inch borderless print is delivered in just 27 seconds. Images can be edited using the printer’s Automatic Photo Correction and red-eye removal functions. Both models have built-in WiFi (supporting the current 802.11n standard) and an Ethernet connection with the Epson iPrint app enabling direct printing from iOS and Android devices.
Replacement ink bottles cost $22.99 for the cyan, magenta, yellow and photo black colours, and $29.99 for the (larger) standard black ink. The EcoTank Expression Premium ET-7750 sells for $999 and the A4 format EcoTank Expression Premium ET-7700 for $799. For more information visit www.epson.com.au/ecotank/ Both models are supported by a two year ‘Return-to-Base’ warranty (one year standard and one bonus year after registration). Buyers receive the extended two years bonus warranty by registering online – within 30 days of purchasing – at www.epson.com.au/registrations