MPC2800

[iMind]

I was in a rush so not much time to check every detail. Another major difference to the MPC2500 is the fusing unit wich looks like a slightly modified fusing unit from the MPC3500/4500

How can this be, the part manual is the same as the MPc2500 series.

[Shadow1]

Check if they added pages for the differences like they did with the MP7500 machines

[E Winter]

??? There is a new PC (not an update) available for the MPC2800/3300

[iMind]

??? There is a new PC (not an update) available for the MPC2800/3300

On tessa there is no parts manuals for this machine only MPc 3000 series.

[E Winter]

until the next update

[iMind]

until the next update

hehe...

[Cipher]

FYI the black drums on the MPC4000/5000 look easy to alter so they fit any colour too.
No need to take off the cleaning unit or peel off a foam strip like the older MPC drum units, the wire harness just tucks in along where the charge roller ass'y sits.

[E Winter]

We are a little less happy with the new MPC's. It's basicly the new PCU that caused some trouble every now and then (mostly streaking). I think the new coating of the charge roller is causing most of the trouble - it's also almost impossible to clean the charge roller properly so no way to extend the runtime of the units

A few days ago I had to check the printout quality of one of our "show room machines". We've received some image files including content with some huge and even bright half tone areas. to produce some sample prints for the potential buyer. Well, the printout looked (almost) like crap - some kind of vertical erratic fluctuations within these half tone was very noticeable. Same result on a brand new machine we had to pre-install at the same day. We also produced some sample prints with a Konice Minolta Bizhub C352 and a second hand C250 - the quality was way better

[pedraoyp]

Hi there.
I own the MPC2800 for some weeks. I use PostSript 3 driver mostly.
I have some question about print quality:

1) I have the Ricoh CL7200 too, with Postscript 3 driver. I use Corel Draw X4, PhotoShop CS3 and Adobe Illustrator. Every software with Pantone color chart with 95% color match with the CL7200. Now the question: I can not get to properly match pantone color with the Mpc2800. ICC profile has been installed. Colors from both printers are totally different.

2) Photo quality is much darker than it should be. Like 1-1/2 stop less on photography terms.

3) Duplex does not activate from bypass tray. Is it software disable or the machine is not able to duplex from bypass?

4) Sharpness of text is lower than CL7200.

5) What advantage can I get using Postscript driver instead of PCL6 driver?

It is a much newer machine than CL7200 but I'm kind of dissapointed with print quality, specially with full page cover on heavy 216gr matte paper that I use a lot.

Any reply will be welcome !

[TonerMunkeh]

Okay, going through your points:

Points 1, 2 4 and 5 are all because you're not using a postscript driver on the machine. Does the machine have a postscript option installed?

Point 3 is because neither of these machines can do duplex from the bypass. Come to think of it I don't know any Ricoh machine that can.

Last but not least, be VERY careful how much full page colour you do on these. It is only an OFFICE MFP with colour capability remember, it's not meant to do the work of a Venus or one of these new Pro900c things.

[E Winter]

Right, if you need true color accuracity it's better to get in touch with a fiery driven high end machine.

If you prefer to get the best quality with what you have:

I think the RPCS driver is doing the best job on most of the ricoh office color products. That driver offers also some nice advanced settings to tweak the quality - unfortuntaely it's available for windows only.

But first of all you should run an Automatic Color Calibration on the machine. Run all patterns a few times and use proper color laser paper during the process amd for all "quality orientated" printouts.

[pedraoyp]

Thanks for reply.

- Postscript 3 is installed on the machine same as the last PS driver from ricoh-usa.com
- I have owned a SP410DN (Not A3 printer, only Legal Size) that had duplex from the bypass. I just was expected to have this option on the MPC2800.
- I will install RPCS driver to test quality print outs.
- Quantity is not that much. I print around 5.000 per month mixed B&W and color, full or low covers.

[Shadow1]

In my humble opinion, the only reason to use a PostScript driver is for a Mac or an app that absolutely requires it.

Also IMHO if you have a real need for PostScript then you have a production print environment and should have a MPC6000, MPC7500, or Preferably a C900 - I'm really starting to hate the 60 and 75 cpm machines.

One final piece of advice - I'm really not to fond of the RPCS driver because it defaults to using those preconfigured jobs that are great untill you need to do something outside of what's been preconfigured. If you switch it to tabbed view, it's much better. I ususally setup my customers using PCL5 - AVOID PCL6 LIKE THE PLAGUE unless you're the kind of person who enjoys beating on his own testicles with a big hammer, then of course feel free to experiment with it.

[E Winter]

I install both, rpcs and pcl drivers - pcl preconfigured as s/w for most office purposes and rpcs for color printing. The customer can switch between b/w and color very easy then not forget to have the advantages of both drivers.

[Shadow1]

I install both, rpcs and pcl drivers - pcl preconfigured as s/w for most office purposes and rpcs for color printing. The customer can switch between b/w and color very easy then not forget to have the advantages of both drivers.

I've done that for some of my customers, unfortunately there are others who simply are not intelligent enough to deal with it. There are also a few places where the customer has 10 to 15 printers scattered around their department and the want the ability to print to any of them - having 2 or 3 drivers for each would just be too confusing.
As always, each account has its own unique requirements. If I have to stick with just 1 driver PCL5 is my choice.