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

[Amy Holmes George]

Hi Diana,
Thank you for sharing. I too have enjoyed a history of success with my 3800 (and also Mark Nelson's)—until now . . .
Although, I will say that these darn venetian blinds are sneaky and are sometimes only visible from a certain angle. But, they are visible AND annoying.
Amy

> From: dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net
> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 19:04:29 -0400
> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Epson 3800 Ink Expiration Date and Epson Driver
> 
> Hi Amy,
> 
> I've consistently used the 3800 with Epson inks (not expired), making  
> digital negatives with Pictorico, for use with pt/pd printing--with  
> consistently good results--no problems.   I've also used other  
> transparencies without any issues in the printing.  A few months ago,  
> I did have a problem with the ink skipping, but I did a cleaning  
> (which I had to do 3 times-- lots of wasted ink), which cleared up the  
> problem.  That's the first time that ever happened, and I've had the  
> 3800 for at least 3 years.  Haven't had it happen since.
> 
> Diana
> 
> 
> On May 26, 2010, at 5:51 PM, Amy Holmes George wrote:
> 
> >
> > 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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