Does Firmware make a difference ?

I came across something odd with two of my Canon printers that are identical in every way, while using the same inks running the same prints on the same paper types with the same settings which then gave slightly different results.

The prints on one machine were a shade darker not in just one colour but in all colours and the ink monitoring also reflected this by showing different ink usage.

The only apparent differences in these two machines were the firmware Versions, one was V1.02 and the other was V1.03, one facing north the other South, otherwise they look like twins.

I taught it might be caused by using different computers and that might explain the scuttle difference in my output results, so I printed another test print from both the Mac/PC again, and yes the prints were slightly different.

Thinking this was my imagination I then printed 5 test photos on Glossy/Plain papers using the PC in Photoshop and low and behold there was a colour difference. (20 prints Total)

Now where does that leave you guys who don’t make their own profiles but relay on getting them from a third party source, if the firmware Versions don’t match then you may not be getting the correct output from your very own printer.

A blind man running backwards probably wouldn’t notice any difference and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest either but to others it certainly might if they are not making their own home profiles, it’s something to think about..

I thought I would never hear you say that.

Emulator said:

I thought I would never hear you say that.

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Why is that ?...

You'll be advocating Argyll CMS soon!

Emulator said:

You'll be advocating Argyll CMS soon!

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Got it in one, that’s exactly what I am suggesting, shock horror…

The Hat said:

A blind man... wouldn’t notice any difference...

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You really took a risk here but I think you nailed it, uncle.

All of the factors you mentioned may be in play.

@The Hat said:
The only apparent differences in these two machines were the firmware Versions, one was V1.02 and the other was V1.03, one facing north the other South, otherwise they look like twins.

I am thinking that there is a logic here, unexpected for sure, one would be in hopes that firmware upgrades left things like colour alone.
@TheHat is it possible that as you do not use profiles that the machines themselves are not actually that identical when they leave the factory, and that is the effect that is showing up.

I know for a fact that Epson made a BIG hooha about the precise manufacturing tolerances applied to the 3880 compared to the 3800 (for example) Epson claimed and spruked the fact that out the box it was the ONLY printer that would produce identical colours....
Their sales pitch was that a person could profile and send an image to a third party and the colour would be true on the receiving 3880.......unlike all OTHER manufacturers!!!

I assumed it was just a sales pitch, could it be that there is a basis of truth? that is colour and performance in general differ between machines of the same brand.

Before upgrading to the new firmware version did you do a long run of identical prints for a customer that were the same colour, and NOW after the upgrade that is no longer the case?

Whatever its really interesting, I am in hopes the talent here is thrown at this to get an outcome.

3dogs said:

@TheHat is it possible that as you do not use profiles that the machines themselves are not actually that identical when they leave the factory, and that is the effect that is showing up.

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I am as much in the dark as anyone else on the strange behaviour of the two machines; I only have just confirmed my suspensions on it today.

Their sales pitch was that a person could profile and send an image to a third party and the colour would be true on the receiving 3880.......unlike all OTHER manufacturers!!!

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It’s quite possible that not all Canon printers are made the same or have good testing and quality control done on every one before their dispatched.

Before upgrading to the new firmware version did you do a long run of identical prints for a customer that were the same colour, and NOW after the upgrade that is no longer the case

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When I got this printer it already had its current firmware, it probably got that at the factory, but the previous owner got rid of it because it was using or wasting too much ink.

I make a point of never upgrading the firmware on any of my printer for fear it will increase the frequency of maintenance cycles, if it's not necessary then why bother..

Just to clarify, Epson were suggesting that the 3880 improved on their own machines as much as any other Brand.

The Hat said:

I am as much in the dark as anyone else on the strange behaviour of the two machines; I only have just confirmed my suspensions on it today.

It’s quite possible that not all Canon printers are made the same or have good testing and quality control done on every one before their dispatched.


When I got this printer it already had its current firmware, it probably got that at the factory, but the previous owner got rid of it because it was using or wasting too much ink.

I make a point of never upgrading the firmware on any of my printer for fear it will increase the frequency of maintenance cycles, if it's not necessary then why bother..

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This phenomena has been reported on other websites and forums. I recall a recent thread at DPReview about this very subject.

Not many of us home users have the luxury of more than one identical machine for comparisons.

RS