Digital BW, The Print

Mike,

You asked:

>Has anyone else measured the actually loss in density of Piezo prints?

I ran a comparison fade test in my florescent light tester with MIS
(standard quads) and Piezo inks.  Both were on Epson Archival Matte, and
both were in the fader at the same time, so other possible variables were
kept to a minimum.  After 300 hours the MIS 50% patch had lost 4.6% density.
The Piezo test strip had lost 7.6% in the 50% patch. (The two blacks had
both faded 15%, but because of the intensity of the light, the black would
absorb more and heat up more.  So, I think the test conditions exaggerate
the relative fading of the dark tones.)

For most parameters I'm looking at, by 300 hours in my fader the rate of
change has slowed considerably.  So, while these prints may never totally
stabilize, I think at the 300 hour point we can see what the prints will
look like after the prints have "warmed" completely.

While the Piezo faded 65% more than MIS, neither had really faded that
dramatically.  I continue to agree with the consensus of south-window
testers that color shifting is more significant than fading.  I'll send the
scans of the test strips and control strips to Martin to put in the files
section of the forum.  (See Fade-MIS-Pzo-300Hr.jpg)

I would be curious if the scanned images look like what south-window testers
see, and how long it takes for south-window prints to take on this color.

EAM is the champ when it comes to fade resistance among the paper I've
tested.  I don't know what paper was being used below, but the alleged 2
stop fading in 60 days seems extreme.  I would guess there are some factors,
perhaps including display conditions, that we don't know about.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

______________________________________________


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael J. Kravit [mailto:kravit@...]
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 5:16 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Piezo - Loss of Density


Last eveing I was speaking with another photographer by telepone. He
told me that in California Huntington Witheral is ready to give up on
Piezo because his display prints are losing 2 stops of density after
just 60 days on display.

Supposedly he has spoken with Jon Cone and Cone told him it was his
paper. So he has tried numerous papers and has not been able to keep
the prints from losing density (fading).

Has anyone else measured the actualy loss in density of Piezo prints?

MIke