Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steven Karafyllakis" 
<stevekphoto@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All; 
> 
> As they say, 'Hope Springs Eternal'... Has anyone bought a NEW (not 
> refurbed) R1800 from the Epson store in the last few months? I would 
> appreciate a report on the microbanding issue as I'm thinking of 
> replacing my ageing unit soon. I guess I'm hoping that Epson has either 
> adressed the microbanding problem (quietly) or is keeping the better 
> units to sell on the own stores. Too much to hope for?

Hello Steven, I've been thinking about an 1800 also.  From my understanding of 
manufacturing methods I don't think any new 1800s have been made for some time.  I 
think the 1800 is on it's way out and I'd hazard a guess that any new units are remaining 
stock.  I could be wrong but I think the consumer end things like small printers are run in 
batches with projected sales determining the run size and discounting used to eliminate 
remaining stock.  That fits in with Epson's program to keep cart technology a step ahead 
of third party suppliers and differentiates the larger Pro (hand tweaked) models as well.

That said, I think the microbanding can be resolved within the workflow with curves and 
dithering patterns.  I'd be interested in hearing from others.  From your post I take it you 
have an 1800 currently.  Where exactly do you experience microbanding?  Color? B&W 
inksets? Epson inks vs third party? Highlights? Midtones? All of the above?

Cheers, Robert