[alt-photo] Epson 3800 Ink Expiration Date and Epson Driver

[Amy Holmes George]

Hello alt list,
I have two queries, and I would certainly appreciate any feedback anyone can offer . . . 
First of all, I am curious to know if anyone else is using the Epson 3800 (with the Epson driver) to produce digital negatives (using Epson color inks) on Pictorico transparency film (particularly with pt/pd printing) and rendering consistently good results AND no "venetian blinds" effect. 
If so, this is my question: Are any or all of your Epson inks past their "expiration" date?  
Epson tells me that, like most things these days, their inks are stamped with a "freshness" date as a recommendation to use it within two years of its production. However, they (Epson) actually use expired inks all the time with no ill effect. Currently, I am printing with several expired inks—some of which expired last fall. So, now I'm wondering if there is any correlation between ink freshness and venetian blinds or even UV sensitivity. Epson could not address this issue, especially since I'm printing on Pictorico and not an Epson media. 
Second issue: I am still struggling with the occasional recurrence of venetian blinds in large fields of flat, (typically) high print values. And, when I tweak the settings under Advanced Media Controls in the Epson driver (as originally recommended by Epson and several folks on this list), it appeared to eliminate the venetian blinds, but then I experience other issues like the shadows blocking up. Recently I decided to print 1 PDN Color Density Range Palette with those same Advanced Media Control settings used to combat venetian blinds and then printed 1 PDN Color Density Range Palette withOUT the Advanced Media Control settings applied. Both were coated, exposed and developed according to my standardized time for pt/pd BUT the final print results are drastically different (BTW, each CDRP was printed with a Stouffers 31 step-tablet which reproduced the same in each). The CDRP printed with the Advanced Media Control settings reveals no paper white (looks way over exposed) and there is micro-banding; these differences are not detectable in the negatives themselves. 
You can view the results here: http://picasaweb.google.com/103360756612857524693/VerticalBandingInSky#5475693643166130162
Does anyone have an explanation for this?
Sorry for my lengthy message . . .
Many thanks,Amy Holmes George
 		 	   		  
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