[alt-photo] Re: gutenprint drivers for digital negatives

[dhbloomfield]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the information, and for that great analogy. ;)  My printer had a 
clogged magenta, which the repair people easily fixed.  The major issue with my 
3800 was that one of the blacks was completely clogged, which they couldn't fix 
at all-- without a replacement head.  I decided to let them do that, since the 
replacement head takes care of everything (my understanding), not just that 
clogged black.  Still, they've been working on that for 3 days now-- first 
receiving a "DOA" replacement head from Epson, which doesn't inspire a lot of 
faith, and then putting in a fast order for another.  Since installing the 
latest one-- and checking it over-- has taken a surprising amount of time, I'm 
guessing it may be totally unfixable.  I look forward to using my 3880, though, 
which I'm finally setting up today.

Diana



________________________________
From: Dan Burkholder <fdanb at aol.com>
To: The alternative photographic processes mailing list 
<alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org>
Sent: Sat, June 25, 2011 11:09:07 AM
Subject: [alt-photo] Re: gutenprint drivers for digital negatives

One thing to keep in mind with the 3800: depending on which method you're using 
to generate your digital negs, a plugged magenta (or cyan) can be no problem at 
all. I use Photoshop's Advanced Black and White mode to impart a slight color to 
the neg. The Epson driver uses neither magenta nor cyan in that mode (though it 
does use the light magenta and light cyan). My old 3800 had the magenta nozzles 
plugged tighter than than a bull's ass pulling a cart up a hill. But it still 
made great negs. In fact, I sold the 3800 to a photographer who wanted it only 
to make b/w prints and it's doing just fine. Of course, he could never make a 
decent color print owing to the clogged magenta.

The 3880 has slightly reformulated magenta inks and clog resistant heads. I bet 
the change in magenta (to "vivid magenta" and "vivid light magenta" has as much 
to do with reducing clogging as it does for gamut expansion.

Just my $0.02.

Dan


info at DanBurkholder.com
www.DanBurkholder.com