Digital BW, The Print

Much of my photo business is shooting Headshots also (see
www.rickschiller.com  )    I've  switched to printing digitally, scanning
from film ( TMY pulled a stop, TMX, FP4, Pan-F )   First big problem is
giving people glossy prints, no way my clients will accept matte finished
prints so that limits your ink choice.  On an Epson 860 (4-color)  I went
with the Lyson Quad blacks and was very disappointed with the strong
mid-tone magenta cast.  I switched to Lyson Small Gamut and am getting
better tones.  I use the Lyson paper.   But the big problems are as follows:

1. Gradation is not as smooth, especially in the highlights.  I have a low
end scanner ( Canon 2720 ) and really need to upgrade.  I posted here 2 days
ago and don't know whether to go with a Nikon ls4000/ls40 or
Microtek/Polaroid.   And if I need to spend more money on the higher end
4000 dpi models.
2. My digital prints are good and when duped to lithos, ordinarily look
better then many dupes I've seen from darkroom prints, sharper.  But
gradation is still lacking.
3. I have some test scans from Nikon scanners, they are sharper then the
Canon 2720.  But the sharpness has a downside in that every minute mark on
the negs, which would not be picked up in the darkroom, the scanner picks up
and has to be spotted out in Photoshop.
4. There are other issues, I'm tired of writing right now but open to all
ideas . . . .

Yes, until I get it all resolved I'm considering going back to darkroom
printing or sending all printing work out depending on my level of bookings
in any given week.

Rick