I've now tried to make my 1290 behave like a good printer, but it's banding, banding, banding... just like it's done since the day I got it. It's a dud, and it's always been.

So I think I'll need to invest in a new one, and as you say, I might as well buy a big printer from the start. I have a new darkroom with space for a A3 printer.

I'm seriously considering the HP B9180. My other alternative is the Epson R1800. Which would you choose?

The 9180 seems great for black / white, but I'm more into printing BW in the darkroom.

My first ane foremost use of a new inkjet printer is diginegs. If I can print good looking, archival color prints as well, that's a great bonus.

Just to add to the confusion Epson UK announces the R1900. It seems QUITE interesting, with an ORANGE ink, which might be great for blocking UV.