I've been discussing with Paul Roark the conversion of my 3880 for Eboni after my old R1800 died. It's a fun journey and I appreciate the work that Paul has put in to this process. Thank you Paul
I've been running Eboni-6 with an additional black ink added to the mix. I think the black ink helps in fine details, but I haven't run specific tests either way other than looking at comparison prints with a loupe. The ink I currently have installed in the printer is, I believe, the original MIS Eboni v1. I have the new 1.1 but haven't tried it yet. If blacks are even darker, woohoo!!!
I have two separate readings for the darkest black. This is likely due to how I scanned (photographed) the reference target and grayscale printout for linearization. Either way, I am getting results that are equal if not better than I had with the Epson R1800 using the Epson Driver. The darkest L values I am finding with the 3880 register 15.52 for one scan and the 14.44 for the other both on Epson Hot Press Bright. I am using Quadtone RIP at 2880 single pass.
Paul did indicate that the Hot Press Natural is better paper on the basis that the Hot Press Bright uses optical brighteners. I ran a sheet of Natural through the 3880 with the Hot Press Bright profile and it looks like I can probably increase the dMax more with this paper.
I look forward to seeing what Paul continues to develop for the printer.
Have fun, and make sure to support Paul ($$)....and no, he did not ask me for the plug, it's just the right thing to do.
Cameron