Digital BW, The Print

In detailed comparisons, I've been able to detect the difference even
between 720 and 360 dpi files, but in the real world, 240 can look very
sharp.  With the 16 v 8 bit it's the same type of  thing.  16 is needed  in
files mostly to allow manipulations, for printing 8 makes a very good
print.  One one artificially generated ramp the 16 bit file looked better,
but I've never seen an 8 bit QTR print that showed a problem due to lack of
gray levels.  I'd guess the dithering pattern the printer has to use to
generate the levels makes  most of the theoretical differences moot.  In
side-by-side comparisons I've  also been able to detect a sharpness
advantage to the 1400 and its 1.5 pl drop when compared to the 4000 and
it's  larger drop size.  Again, however, in practice  nobody is going to
see a difference.

As to the dmax, be sure you try a high dmax paper  like Epson Hot Press
Natural or one of  the Hahnemuhle papers, and view them in actual indoor
display settings before concluding the matte dmax is not adequate.  The
reflections off the surface of the glossy papers often makes them appear
 to have worse black tones than the matte papers.

On the other hand, the I'm using the dyes on high gloss metallic  paper to
get  the most dramatic sense of dynamic range "3d" look.  When I was doing
wet darkroom work, I would look at the negatives and marvel  at
the dynamic range; the prints never seemed to look as good.  A couple of us
who are using these dyes have commented that they produce the first prints
we've ever seen that come close to matching that sensation we got from the
B&W negatives and good  color  slides.  Then again some have also commented
that they are gaudy, not "fine art," and not a medium then want hanging on
their walls.  So, there is a lot of subjectivity here.  I like having both
media available for different purposes.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 8:35 AM, jcphoto52 <jacques.caron@videotron.qc.ca>wrote:

> **
>
>
> Hi all
> Still working with EB6 and Epson 1430, my experiences with papers and
> drivers are getting better and better but...
> Here's a few questions :
>
> 1-Someone saw a difference if you print at 360, 300, 288 or 240? (On matte
> paper)
>
> 2-Someone saw a difference printing a 16 bit file vs a 8 bit one?
>
> 3- Is it normal that with a loupe, the blacks show tiny white speckles
> (maybe due to the surface of the paper?)?
>
> I'm reading and printing like crazy but I think I made a wrong choice with
> EB6. Since it's for matte paper only, the Dmax is lower than, let's say,
> luster paper, and what I expected. I'm aware that lot of people are
> searching for permanence, but I would trade a couple of years for a better
> output. I'm searching to match the output I had in a darkroom.
>
> Thanks
>
>  
>


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