Digital BW, The Print

Austin,

Actually it doesn't. 

What you are referring to is presetting the dot size with your dpi 
selection from the Epson driver. The variable droplet technology 
actually varies the droplet size while the printer is making the 
print, the 3000 does not have the ability to do this, thus the 
droplet size stays constant. Most of the older Epson printers work 
this way. Look up the part number for the head in the 3000, 1520, and 
800 - they are all the same part number i.e. they all use the exact 
same head. 

What you refer to as the micro dot, etc.. as you listed below just 
presets that constant dot size in the Epson driver prior to starting 
your print, but the head lacks the ability to vary the droplet size 
as it produces the print (which the newer printers can do).

The droplet size combined with the lack of the ability to vary it is 
why the "dots" are so much more visible from a 3000 using the Epson 
driver. The Piezo driver compensates for this by eliminating the 
Epson dithering in the driver and tightening up the dpi so the dot 
size isn't as obvious. Paul Roarks curves take advantage of the Epson 
dithering and the crossover points to also minimize the dot size 
appearance. Go to the Inkjetart site and look at the comparisions of 
the output of the printers under 8x and 17x magnification at this 
link:

http://www.tssphoto.com/sp/dg/news/dot_comp.html

For a better explanation of the Variable Drop Technology go to this 
link (from Epson themselves):

http://www.epson.co.uk/whatsnew/technology/vdot.htm

Terry

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Austin Franklin" 
<darkroom@i...> wrote:
> 
> >
> > Just a slight correction, the 3000 does not have the variable 
droplet
> > size as you indicated.
> 
> Actually, Terry, according to the Epson command set documentation, 
it does.
> If you have the Epson document "4clr_98b.pdf", go to section 4.2, 
which is
> "ESC/P2 Select Dot Size Command".  At the bottom of the page, there 
is a
> chart for "Series Four Printers" and lists the 3000 as one of the 
printers.
> There are four values, default, Micro dot, Normal (single) and 
Normal
> (double).