Digital BW, The Print

Hello,

I have a photo friend who's been admiring my b/w prints... he's had a lot of experience in large format film photography and knows a good print when he sees one. I don't take credit for my prints, by the way, I give credit to the people in this forum!

But he'd like to come over here to the "dark side" :) and begin b/w digital printing. When I got started it was pure simplicity. a 220 with one Eboni cartridge. But that printer, and its Epson driver with a BO option, are no longer made. I moved next to an R1800 so I could do larger prints. Again, not too complicated... just 3 Eboni carts and QTR. I still haven't moved beyond that and it's working well for me. Some day I may go for a 1400 and the Eboni 6 route. 

What shall I recommend to my friend? The 1400 seems like the best choice now... but he'd still like to do color, so that rules out the Eboni 6 route. Can he fill the MK position with Eboni ink and leave the color carts in place for doing color prints - but limited to matt paper, right, as in the 1800? And what kind of color ink does that printer use? He doesn't want dye, wants pigment. Does the 1400 use "Claria" color? Is that a pigment or a dye, or something else?

Just checked the Epson site... refurbed 1400s are $179, with free shipping. Sounds like a good deal. May have to pick one up myself.

TIA,

Paul