Digital BW, The Print

Having used an Epson 2200 for a number of weeks now, I believe that Miguel's
list of issues and concerns is dead on. Unless changes are made, I
personally would not print on anything other than matt paper. Increasing the
contrast of the image restores much of the "punch" that you see in the dye
based prints, but it's not a perfect solution. The only solution I see to
the issue of fragility is to recognize it and handle the prints accordingly.


Whether one waits for the next generation of "archival" printers from Epson
(or other vendors) is a personal choice.  I thought about returning the
2200, but ultimately decided that the benefit of greater longevity
outweighed the negatives. 

Richard Prull

 

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Message: 1
   Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 15:08:28 -0000
   From: "alemanma" <alemanma@...>
Subject: Ultrachrome Inks Issues and Concerns

After a few months of tracking postings in a number of forums 
adressing Epson's Ultrachrome(UC) Pigment versus Photo-Dye ink sets, 
I have compiled a list of issues/concerns that I post below for 
further discussion:

1. The "bronzing" and/or "gloss differential" effect of Ultrachrome 
inks on glossy/coated papers which is quite evident as you look at a 
print a various angles.

2. The "hazy veil" that seems to exist in front of Ultrachrome prints 
(obvious when viewed side-by-side to a dye print of the same image). 

3. A "lack of punch" of B&W Ultrachrome images (as compared to their 
dye counterpart).

4. The lower DMAX of the Ultrachrome black ink ( compared to its dye 
counterpart).

5, The fragility - tendency to flaking and scuffing - of the 
Ultrachrome inks. 

As much as I have been lusting for an Ultrachrome 7600 printer for 
the last months, the above issues suggest that it may be wiser to 
wait for yet-another-generation of improvements before jumping into 
the pigmented inks bandwagon. 

In a nutshell, the dilema is how much "fun" one is willing to give up 
for the sake of a "longer life". 

What good is a long life if is dull from the start ?!?!?! 

Miguel Angel Aleman