Digital BW, The Print

Martin, Nick,

Just tried some prints on the Epson Archival matte paper, Black ink only, with the VM MIS coldtone HEX inkset.

Printed at 2880, with the "Photo Paper" Media setting, (so that I could get to use the 2880 DPI setting).

I didn't have a 35mm tri x neg, but I did have an image of Granite rocks with Lichen on it, that is very textured. There is a deep dark
nearly black reflecting pool beneath it, and a bit of smooth gray water in the corner of the picture.

The results are fabulous in all areas except the smooth water, where there is a tiny grain pattern. Beautiful tones, and nice snappy
contrast and rich detail all over the place. For any image that does not have smooth areas like sky, water, or fog, this is a great
technique. VERY sharp print.

An added bonus is the blacks are deeper when using the black only ink.  I used the Neutral Curve from Paul Roark.  I have to say, this
technique produces the deepest black I've ever seen from an inkjet printer using any third party black ink. Equal to the Epson Original
black ink!

HOWever, this technique does NOT work on Photo Matte paper from Legion. The black pool of water was just that. Black. No other tones. None.
Black only, and dripping wet when it came out of the printer. Looks like black ink only is not good for this paper, but great on the Epson
paper. Haven't tried it on other papers yet.

Epson Archival does seem to have a lot going for it, doesn't it?

Even at 2880, the smooth water isn't too bad, as there is a slight reflection in it to break up some of the artifacts that normally would
show up on a smooth gray area.  I didn't think this was possible. It isn't, on an 1160, as the artifacts are too noticeable at 1440 DPI.

Jerry