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

[Diana Bloomfield]

I just followed the procedure recommended by Epson-- which suggested cleaning as much as 4 times, and-- if no improvement-- shut down the printer for 8 to 12 hours, and then do a power cleaning. All that made no difference at all. It never got worse, but also never got better.  I just think computer/printer companies don't make anything to reliably last for more than about 5 years.  

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 14, 2011, at 1:45 PM, Globe Trotteur <unglobetrotteur at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> I also have to add that using the cleaning cycles too many time is not good. There's a pattern if i recall. I usually do a power cleaning and let the printer sits for 30mn. that works for me. If i run another cleaning cycle, it would have gotten worse.
> I have refillable cartridges in my 2200 and use dye ink for digital negatives.
> Pierre
> 
>> From: dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net
>> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
>> Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:11:48 -0400
>> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Fwd: Epson printer 3880
>> 
>> 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
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Alt-photo-process-list | http://altphotolist.org/listinfo
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Alt-photo-process-list | http://altphotolist.org/listinfo
>                         
> _______________________________________________
> Alt-photo-process-list | http://altphotolist.org/listinfo