[alt-photo] Re: Fwd: Epson printer 3880

[francis schanberger]

There is a company called FixYourOwnPrinter (I think) that makes an inkjet
head cleaning solution. I bought it two years ago to correct a stubborn
clogged magenta ink jet head on a 2200. It didn't clear up the last missing
gap on the test pattern but the solution helped me avoid the numerous clean
head, print pattern, clean head, print pattern routines that ended up
killing the (non) service tank on my first 2200.

They provide you with a syringe with which you squirt the cleaning solution
onto the pads near the inkjet heads. The printer is then allowed to sit
overnight and the following day you commence the cleaning / print test
routine.

While I was using it with the second 2200 (with QTR) it seemed like the the
heads didn't need to be cleaned as often. Currently I am using an Epson 4800
exclusively and my last 2200 is gathering dust in the basement waiting for
the next time I do a workshop.

I found their url: http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/

-francis



On Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 12:11 PM, Diana Bloomfield <
dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Hi Kerik,
>
> Thanks so much.  And, yes- exactly the same thing-- clogging with the
> magenta inks, and also some clogging with one of the blacks.  I did several
> cleanings, along with a "power cleaning," and it just never got any better.
>  One day it worked great, and the next day (when I needed it the most, of
> course), it just stopped.  I didn't really check with anyone, but I assumed
> something needed replacement that would cost more $$$ than it was worth.  I
> did buy it when it first came out, so it's been a great printer for all that
> time-- but, like most printers and computers, seems to have a definite
> end-life (of about 5 years).
>
> So thanks again, Kerik-- very helpful information.  It looks like B&H has
> the 3880 for about $1100, so that's where I'm headed next (online). :)
>
> Diana
>
>
> On Jun 14, 2011, at 11:55 AM, kerik at kerik.com wrote:
>
>  Diana,
>>
>> First, I'm wondering what happened to your 3800. Mine had clogging
>> problems with the magenta inks that couldn't be resolved without replacing
>> the print head ($$$). I've heard similar magenta problems from other 3800
>> users. So, I replaced it with a 3880 in November. I am getting great digital
>> negatives with the 3880 and QuadTone RIP. It's easy to get plenty of UV
>> density without resorting to a highly colorized negative. As far as I can
>> tell, the only difference between the 3800 and 3880 are the magenta inks. I
>> don't know if the dithering has changed but the negatives print beautifully
>> in platinum and gum and it makes great inkjet prints.
>>
>> One interesting thing I stumbled on while calibrating the 3880: If you use
>> the front feed slot to load your transparency material to avoid pizza wheel
>> marks, the UV density of the resulting negs is lower in the densest parts of
>> the negative (about 0.3 log density) than if you use the regular sheet feed.
>> This effect was also confirmed by a user of a 3800. Very strange.
>>
>> Kerik
>> www.kerik.com
>>
>>
>>  FROM: Diana Bloomfield
>>>> DATE: June 14, 2011 5:48:00 AM PDT
>>>> TO: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org [2]
>>>> SUBJECT: [ALT-PHOTO] EPSON PRINTER 3880
>>>> REPLY-TO: The alternative photographic processes mailing list
>>>>
>>>
>>>  Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I've had an Epson 3800 printer for several years now-- love it,
>>>> never had a
>>>> problem with it-- until now. So I'm thinking of upgrading to the
>>>> 3880, but
>>>> I remember someone here (Chris?) having trouble with their 3880,
>>>> specifically in making digital negatives. Is that correct, or did I
>>>> dream
>>>> that? I'm assuming that the 3880 is comparable (better than?) to
>>>> the 3800,
>>>> especially when making negatives. Any advice here? Is there another
>>>> printer that would be better? I'm not interested in going larger
>>>> than the
>>>> 17" carriage.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Diana
>>>>
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-- 
francis schanberger

www.francisschanberger.com