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

Fri May 28 20:21:52 GMT 2010

Hi Marek,
It is very possible that there is subtle banding in the top CDRP as well (although, thankfully it has never been visibly present in my negatives or prints themselves).
>Just out of curiosity, some of the squares show much less banding, or almost none (at the same grey level). Are they diifferent colors?
Yes, each row and block within each row is a slightly different hue.
You raise a good point about the Epson diagnostic tests, and I just might pass them by another colleague for a second opinion (can't hurt anyway!).
As far as the "tweaking" goes . . . I changed the Paper Feed Adjustment by increments of -5 (Epson's recommendation), test printing and comparing the results for each. At around -30, the venetian blinds started to fade. At -35, they virtually disappeared. However, I noticed a subtle variance in the contrast and my shadows started blocking up in some images. This is why I decided to apply those same Advanced Media Control settings to a CDRP. I was shocked by the results. But then, I knew for sure that my eyes weren't deceiving me.
Amy

> From: marekmatusz at hotmail.com
> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 19:26:40 +0000
> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Epson 3800 Ink Expiration Date and Epson Driver
> 
> 
> Amy,
> 
> Looking really close I can see that both sets of test prints show some banding, although it is more pronounced in one set (the one that you tweaked the driver settings). Maybe the tweak should go in the opposite direction. Just out of curiosity, some of the squares show much less banding, or almost none (at the same grey level). Are they diifferent colors?
> 
> Maybe you have overadjusted something in the settings? I can't remember if there is a reset to factory settings thing on the printer head? It might be worth a while to get a second opinion on the printhead testing and adjustments. Somebody else might spot something that you just glossed over and now it is fixed your mind as "good".
> 
> I have been using that printer for over 2 years now, never had touched any adjustments and since switching to QTR rip as driver life has been so simple, perfect negatives every time.
> 
> Marek
>  
> > From: amyhgeorge at hotmail.com
> > To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> > Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 19:50:02 -0400
> > Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Epson 3800 Ink Expiration Date and Epson Driver
> > 
> > 
> > Hi Chris,
> > Yes, a fellow ugh! :)
> > Maybe I should simply repeat all the Epson driver diagnostic tests just to be sure. We'll see . . .
> > Amy
> > 
> > > From: zphoto at montana.net
> > > Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 17:35:56 -0600
> > > To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> > > Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Epson 3800 Ink Expiration Date and Epson Driver
> > > 
> > > Ohhhhh ya Amy I've seen that in spades, on my 2400. I have yet to make diginegs with my 3880 because of the driver issue which is really cramping my style and never owned the 3800.
> > > 
> > > When I got those little teeny bandings, I cleaned my heads, sometimes up to 6x, and they went away. BUT of course all that head cleaning was why my 2400 went on the blink and had to have the diaper changed, along with the issue with not being compatible with Snow Leopard. 
> > > 
> > > But try cleaning the heads multiple times, then holding the neg on a window and look at the neg through a loupe. You will clearly see the little micro lines. If so, clean again.
> > > Chris
> > > 
> > > PS always use 2880 ppi.
> > > 
> > > Christina Z. Anderson
> > > christinaZanderson.com
> > > 
> > > On May 26, 2010, at 3:51 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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