Which Do I Choose

[elwoodsusanm]

Which one of these should be checked?:confused:

[kImages]

It depends Sue. Many of the instructors on lynda.com say to immediately check the AdobeRGB preference. However Ken Rockwell's point of view is that sRGB is more prevalent so it should be the default. The theory is that AdobeRGB provides a broader gamut of color, but if your printer or browser can't read that range your colors are muddy.

My D300 captures in AdobeRGB so I set Photoshop to AdobeRGB. When I Save for Web, or to send to a digital frame, sRGB is better and I know CS3 does the sRGB conversion. I'd check the color profile on the printer that you'll use most often and start there.

[elwoodsusanm]

I have the Epson 1400 with Claria Ink. How do I check what system it uses please?:)

[Not4wood]

Before someone who has more experience actually gives you an answer I would say its in the printer controller that sits on your task bar. Double click it and just look around. Its probably in the advanced section somewhere.

But, I now have a question about this. On this Epson R1400 which is supposed to be on the better quality levels. We usually turn off and leave Color Management to the Photoshop programs. What are the rules when you go to the better printers? Can the R1400 print the aRGB or should it be left to the sRGB? I am on the verge of purchasing a better quality printer and I'm anxious to know before I make my final decision.

Also, have you had any problems with the R1400 print heads with Ink Clogging? I have been hearing that if the Epson Printers aren't used within a week there might be some problems with clogged heads. Now, this can just be some propaganda from the competitors like Canon or HP which I think might actually be the case. :rolleyes: But I've been hearing a lot about the clogged heads so at this point I'm leaning towards an HP. I wish the HP would have a cheaper version of the 13x19 printer. It only has the 8350 which only has two ink cartridges and we all know that wont lead to better color.... I can't afford the 9180 which even the Nikonian Site recommends.

[elwoodsusanm]

I can truthfully say that I have not any problems with the 1400 Epson. I don't use it every week. Initially it was bought just to print my daughter's wedding photographs, which I might add, have turned out beautifully.:) As for the other things mentioned I will look later when I have a little more time.

[TonyW]

Actually you can check either the Optimize for Computer Screens or Optimize for Printing box. The only difference is that if you open an unprofiled file it uses sRGB or AdobeRGB respectively. If the image already has a profile (eg from a camera) it will keep that profile.

My preference is to use Optimize for Computer Screens and use sRGB for unprofiled documents. The problem with AdobeRGB is that is looks bad when you post it on the web or email it to people. Although in PSE5 and PSE6 you can convert the profile it's too easy to forget before Saving for the Web.

As far as printers go it's not that they necessarily use sRGB or AdobeRGB it's more whether they can display the wider range of colors. I believe to some extent the 1400 can but I suspect it's not that noticeable. I know with my R300, as long as I let Elements manage the color and use the appropriate printer/paper profile the print looks identical whether I use AdobeRGB or sRGB.

The best way is to experiment and see what you prefer.It's not really a case of better quality - it's what looks best to you and that's often a matter of personal preference.

The best way to experiment is to shoot a RAW file as RAW files don't strictly have a profile - run it through Elements as either sRGB or AdobeRGB and print it with either Elements managing the colour or the printer managing the color. See if you can tell the difference and, if you can, which version you prefer.

Tony

[elwoodsusanm]

These are the choices in the Epson 1400:confused:

[TonyW]

That's more choices than I have but what I do is check the box that says no color management and have Elements manage the color by choosing the appropriate paper/printer drive (not sure what the ones for the 1400 would be called and if they were installed with the printer driver).

That said then if you're happy with what you're getting then don't mess with anything :)

Tony

[Ric Cisson]

Mark,

In response to your question concerning Epson Printers and clogging issues, FWIW, my experience over the years is that with the Epson dye inks, such as the Claria inks associated with the 1400, little if any clogging experience here. As for the pigment inks, the Ultrachromes, Ultrachrome K3, my experience was bad with the pioneer printer 2000P for Epson, which I have since converted to utilizing Lyson CIS, better with the 2200, very good with the R1800 and R2400 and much much better with the Pro 3800 and 4800 printers. I can tell you that one time, I left the area for over 45 days, came back expecting to have clogging issues with my R1800, R2400 and Pro 4800 at the time and actually to my suprise had none. I am very, very satisfied with Epson newer generation printers from say 2005 forward as maybe the law of averages I have experienced between the newer printers one clogging issue, maybe every 6 to 8 weeks. As for useage, because someone probably will ask, I do not use all of my printers everyday of the week and sometimes not at all during a given week. So FWIW, there you have one persons opinion based upon personal experience.:)