Digital BW, The Print

Robert Fletcher <robert@...> wrote:
...

What MIS and I did some time ago was set up the C82 and on up to the
C88+ as starting point "MIS EZ" printers.  The good things about that
line were that they were cheap and only had 4 ink spots.  I was able
to set up an inkset that used a single midtone (color position)
density and get rather nice results from them with the Epson driver
and simple workflows.  The MIS EZ inksets are still available.

For my uses, the Epson Workforce printers are a better choice.  So, I
set up my family with the smaller ones and I have a 13 inch workforce
1100 as my text printer (2 black carts/ink channels makes it fly for
text) as well as my backup and extra photo printer.  I can print any
number of inksets in it -- very well.  (Like for 13" carbon glossy
prints it did better than my 7800.)  Eboni-6 (but only 4 positions) is
available for the 1100.  However, QTR does not support the 1100, so
it's usefulness is limited by that as well as the lesser number of
inks.


My B&W information pages are at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/ with
an index of sorts by printer and inkset at
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Inkset-list.html .  I don't really
address the starting point that much, however.


> When I
> decide on a large format exhibition photo I much prefer to have this
> done and silver/gelatin paper and my preferred laboratory is Ilford.

Silver has it's place -- as a retro, alternative process.

Probably most of the regular posters here have a silver print
background and moved to inkjet for any number of reasons.  I still
have the darkroom and worked though 8x10 digital internegatives for a
while to combine Photoshop controls with my silver printing output,
but the inkjets simply got better.  I can't imagine ever going back
now.

I keep some of my silver prints on the wall in a few viewing areas for
comparisons.  For me, it didn't take all that long to match or exceed
their visual quality, however.

In any case, if it is within what is possible, if you're serious
enough to pay a lab for large prints, it's probably worth your while
to get a 13 inch printer like the 1100 or 1430, even if just for
proofing.  I have two 1400's and consider that line to be simply the
best, most flexible there is.  Getting a printer that is well
supported by various inksets has considerable value.

You mentioned Eboni-6.  That is not necessarily a novice inkset, but
it is one that is relatively well supported, including being
pre-loaded by MIS.  In have my general Eboni-6 write up at
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-6.pdf .  I often use
derivatives of this (Eb4 for the 1100, Eboni with some HP neutral/cool
inks for the 1400 and 7800).  Having a system that prints the tones
you like matters.  The Ilford silver gelatins I did were slightly
warm.  I'm not sure what your lab is using.  I actually preferred a
cooler print, which is one reason I have set up the Eboni-6 with the
HP pigs.

> I just want a small dedicated print of the
> black-and-white.

Check out the C88 EZ.  However, if you're paying labs for large
prints, I sense your goals are beyond that.

> ... destroyed this is because of the colour casting.

At a very minimum, you need 3 gray/black inks.  I prefer 4 or more.
Using color printers that have no gray ink core is hopeless.

Good luck with the search.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com