Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., hslavitt@c... wrote:
> 
> Also, for Jerry, in particular (or others using a 1280 and who have 
> previously used Cone's inkset), how would you compare the results 
> with the VM hex inks using the "mw" curves and the Piezo results?
> 
> Thanks, Howard.

Howard,

I can not speak for Jerry, but I will share with you the following....

Yesterday I have the pleasure to visit with Tom McCartney at his home 
in Lantana, FL.  Tom is currently working on a new book in 
conjunction with Dr. Richard Zakia (RIT), Gordon Brown (Kodak), and 
George DeWolfe entitled "The Zone System for Digital Photographers".  

I brought with me 3 20x24" framed Piezo Prints made on my 7000 and 
printed on Hahnemuhle German Etching. I also brought with me 5 8x10 
prints all of the same scene. One made with the Piezo system and the 
other 4 made with the warm, medium warm, neutral, and cool curves 
with the MIS Variable tone inks, all on German Etching.

Tom has almost two dozen of his platinum prints hanging on the wall 
in his dining room. We held the prints up against the wall and 
compared them to the platinum images. We found that the "MW" curves 
produces an image that seemed to match the platinum prints almost 
perfectly.

Tom was aghast. He has heard me rave about Piezo and more recently 
the MIS inks. He had not seen the MIS inks until this point. The 
first thing he pointed out was that the Piezo print had compressed 
shadows and highlights resulting in more contrast. The MIS prints had 
smoother tonal gradations and were overall just as pleasing as the 
Piezo prints.

Tom asked if he could send the 5 prints to Gordon Brown. Of course I 
agreed and look forward to hearing Gordons impressions.

We subsequently went to lunch and Tom continually talked about the 
prints and was duly impressed with Pauls work in developing the 
curves.

We also looked at the 20x24 Piezo Prints that were framed and covered 
with clear acrylic. Tom thought that they were lovely and quite 
expressive. He did note that the Piezo prints has a slightly greenish 
cast. It was not obvious, except when placed next to a platinum or 
selenium toned print.

Mike