 Editors' note:
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The phrase light black might seem like an oxymoron, but in the case of the Epson Stylus Photo 2200, it makes perfect sense. The unit's enhanced seven-color UltraChrome pigment-ink set and increased maximum resolution of 2,880x1,440 combine to deliver some of the best archival-quality inkjet output we've ever seen. The Epson is also very expensive, but the Stylus Photo 2200 is well worth the price for photography professionals who demand high-quality prints that will last.
Follow the straight-through paper path
The $699 Stylus Photo 2200 delivers everything that professional and deep-pocketed amateur photographers could want, except built-in networking. In addition to parallel and USB 2.0/1.1 interfaces, the Stylus Photo 2200 also offers a FireWire port. Bundled accessories include a roll-paper holder, an automatic paper cutter, and a roll-paper output catch. The printer works with Windows 98 and later, as well as Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x and OS X 10.1 or later. Some of the printer's more advanced features are not supported under OS X yet, however, including the ability to hot-swap the matte-black and photo-black inks. The driver disc includes Epson's excellent Film Factory image management software, a Print Image Matching (PIM) plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, and trial versions of a variety of Photoshop plug-ins and MonacoEZcolor color management software.
To transfer your images from PC to paper, the printer also offers several paper-handling options. You have a choice of three paper paths: the standard, top-loading L-shaped; roll paper; and a straight-through manual feed for thicker media. The Stylus Photo 2200 can print as small as 3.5x3.5 inches or up to 13x19 inches on cut-sheet paper, 13x44 inches under Windows 9x and on the Mac, and up to 13x129 inches under all other versions of Windows.
A broad gamut
In CNET Labs' tests, the Stylus Photo 2200 printed an 8x10 image in Photo mode in about 3.8 minutes using a test bed with USB 1.1 ports. However, as we expected, using a higher-speed interface won't speed up the process; the print mechanism is the bottleneck, and the memory buffer isn't large enough to cache more data.
Images render sharply and accurately across most media types in both Photo (1,440x720) and SuperPhoto (2,880x1,440) modes. The extra resolution unites with the light-black ink to perceptibly enhance detail in small highlight areas, such as the dimples on a golf ball. If all goes well, it'll be hard to make out the dots in the highest-resolution prints at close range, approximately equivalent to the grain of good ISO 100-speed film. Black-and-white prints are especially impressive, emerging neutral gray with good dynamic range. For printing on nonglossy papers, Epson offers an optional, hot-swappable matte-black ink cartridge to achieve slightly denser blacks and, therefore, higher contrast.
The jury is still out on actual print longevity; test results will eventually be posted on Wilhelm Imaging Research's Web site. Initial estimates place it at 30 to 100 years, depending upon the paper used and assuming optimal display conditions.
The ink and paper chase
As for the printer's overall cost, we find it quite reasonable. The printer itself may have a high initial price, but it gets high marks for its relatively low 19 cents per color page. Professional papers run about 70 cents to $1 for letter-sized sheets and as high as $2.50 per sheet for Super B.
Tech support isn't quite as cost effective, though; toll charges apply to the free phone calls. On the bright side, Epson's Web site offers online documentation, driver downloads, and troubleshooting FAQs. The company covers the printer with its standard one-year, limited parts-and-labor warranty.
If you're simply looking for a good tabloid-sized photo printer, the Stylus Photo 1280 and the Canon S9000 are probably more in your price range. But imaging enthusiasts and experts in search of high-quality, stable inkjet prints meant for controlled environments should put the Stylus Photo 2200 at the top of their shopping lists.
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