Digital BW, The Print

> 
> What are the current opinions of the 3000 for quadtones? 
> 

I'm very partial to the PiezoTone Selenium w/Museum Black 
(w/the Cone driver)

> Is it significantly less sharp than the 1160?

IJM has a file called something like "proof of piezography" which 
contains some simple resolution tests.  The 3000 performed the 
poorest out of the 3000, 1280, 1160 triplets.  However, I think for 
most images, the difference is not noticable.

> 
> Has the Piezo driver banding problem been resolved?
> 

Yes, the best quality setting. Be warned it takes 1hr to print a 
17x22.

> Is a used 3000 a lot more likely to suffer from banding?

My 3000 is ornery & it's been kind of constant for 2.5 yrs.  I've had 
extensive parts swapped so the base problem is not easily 
solved by a parts swap.

> 
> If I end up with a 3000 that won't tolerate the Piezo driver, how 
> much am I giving up? How do the Epson Driver /separation 
workflows 
> perform on the 3000?

In my opinion - a lot.  The drop size on the 3000 is huge and it 
shows in the highlights.  My data point is 2yrs old too.

Driver support is nonexistant for any of the new OS's.  I'm in the 
same situation you are, except I plugged along w/the 3000.  My 
opinion, is save your pennies for a used 7000 or 7500.  Now 
there is a machine!

Good luck,
Dave G.