Digital BW, The Print

For Robert and Antonis (and anyone else interested)....

I unpacked my X-Rite 810 densitometer and recalibrated it this 
evening. I am measuring the density range of digital negatives to 
try and develop a baseline for comparison with traditional 
platinum negatives.

While I had it up and running I figured I might take some reading 
from a few digital prints made on my 7000 with the IP4 RIP.  

I was quite surpised to find that the greatest density I recorded 
was on H. William Turner. The dmax was along the edge where I 
printed the full frame of a 6x6 negative. The deepest shadow 
areas recorded a density reading on 1.79! and the rebate edge 
black border recorded a reading of 1.97!

Figuring I screwed up the calibration, I next read the calibration 
tablet again and it was within 0.02 du. So I read a Stoffer 
calibrated step tablet (transmission as I dont have a reflective) 
and the #5 patch wqas within .03 du.

Using the Epson driver, I get a dmax in the rebate border of 1.79.

This seems to confirm what I have suspected, and that is the 
RIP is laying down denser blacks. When I switch from MIS 
Double Density black to Epson black dye, the dmax jumps well 
over 2.0 to almost 2.2!

It is entirely possible to get very good blacks with the Epson 
7000 and pigmented inks using a RIP.

Considering that it is late and I am tired, I will re-test again 
tomorrow when hopefully I will get the same readings.

Mike