Digital BW, The Print

"Peter" <pdesmidt@...> wrote:
>
> I recently got Eboni 6 up-and-running in my 4880, and I'm very happy with the results on Epson HPN paper using QTR.  Thank you, Paul!  The prints are just slightly warm, which I prefer for many of my images.
> 
> Currently, I also have MIS K4 LK and LLK installed to give the possibility of printing warmer, but after seeing the prints with plain Eboni-6 on Epson HPN, I don't think they will be needed, ...

I agree.  The only reason I have the MIS PK, LK, and LLK in my 7800 is to print the "sepia" tone warm carbon prints for the museum historic photo reproductions.  When sales from that are done, the warm glossy carbon is going to be taken out of the printer.

>and I can always switch to a warmer paper,

I just printed some H. Photo Rag with Carbon-6 -- looks great when a some warmth is needed.

> of which there appears to be many options.  So, I have two empty ink spaces. I could simply fill them with clear base, but are there any options that could increase print quality or flexibility?

Consider the Eboni-6 LK and LLK (Eb6-M and LM).  That then allows Epson driver printing, which occasionally is handy.

> Would LK and LLK dilutions of HP's PK allow even cooler printing, for example? Living in Wisconsin I have a lot of ice and snow pictures. I won't be using glossy papers on this printer.

I had the HP PK inks in my 7800 for a while, and it does allow you to go cooler.  I found I didn't use them, but that is an option.  I found not technical problems with those inks in the printer.

 
> Question two: I really like Epson's Hot Press Natural paper, but with some images, high key images for example, I'm not fond of the paper surface.  Are there some other papers with nicer surfaces that work well with the Eboni 6 inkset?

What constitutes a "nicer" surface is rather subjective.  Have you tried the uncoated Arches Hot and Cold press papers?  For high key images where you may not need a deep dmax, there are all sorts of un-coated papers that are very nice.  Some of them print quite neutrally, as does Arches HP/CP.  I think the most neutral may have been Arches 88.

You might want to also try some Premier Art Smooth BW.  It has brighteners, but the image tone is very nice for a cool print.

Good luck with the setup.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com