I recently replaced my Canon S900 with this printer and I can say that quality-wise the Epson wins hands down. The Canon wasn't quite up to saleable quality, so I was used to using MPix for client orders. Right away I used the R800 to print direct comparisons with my most recent MPix orders and I could find no difference. In fact, I'd stake my bottom dollar that MPix uses Epsons, too (probably the R1800). I have had consistently great results with the Epson papers (using the updated R-series ICC profiles) and Ilford Smooth Pearl (using an Ilford-supplied ICC profile). If you want a 8 1/2" wide printer that truly prints photo-quality with archival inks, the R800 is still the standard.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

I?ve been using this printer for perhaps over a year. I use it for fairly serious amateur photographic images- mostly taken with a Nikon D70. I mostly use Epson paper types. The quality has been excellent. I use the supplied profiles for Epson papers and find they work quite well. I have not gone to custom profiles. Of course one needs profiles for non-Epson papers. I am surprised by the quality and consistency of this printer's performance.

A couple of limitations: It does not do borderless 8.5x11, You need the 1800 for that. Also, I think the inks are not compatible with overhead transparency materials although I do it occasionally with some problems.

The above complaints are outside of what Epson claims the printer will do. Within normal limits, this has been an excellent printer. If this printer is wide enough, buy and enjoy. Otherwise, consider the 1800.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

By Photographer Al from Houston, TX on 2/12/2007

After using the R800 for 15 months I can't find anything to complain about. I print digital art from Photoshop and Painter and have always been pleased with the results. Being picky, I use custom-made printer profiles, but the ones that came with the printer are really quite good.
Printer color is consistent from job to job and the detail is excellent. (I use the "fine" setting consistently; the "photo" doesn't add any more quality in my opinion.) My only regret is that I didn't buy the model that prints the larger size -- but, space on my desk was a consideration.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

By Mickfly from Boerne, TX on 2/12/2007

Generally a high quality photo printer and good value for the money, though it does not want to print any labels or business cards from Avery. Whenever I try, it gives me error messages that I can't resolve.