Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, 
"chipcarterdc" <chipcarterdc@h...> wrote:
> I just got everything configured and made my first print using 
this program.  I 
> want to look at it a lot more and in daylight, so take my 
preliminary words with 
> a big grain of salt.
> 
> By way of background, I have tried B&W printing on my 2200 
using 5 different 
> methods/programs thus far.  In order of my personal 
preference, I rank them 
> below (best to worst):
> 
> (1) ImagePrint 5
> (2) QuadTone RIP 1.1 (using Carl Scholfield's neutral curve)
> (3) Normal epson driver, using Postcript Color Management + 
Color Controls: 
> Photorealistic method (Carl Schofield (sorry for misspelling 
your name))
> (4) Epson 2200 RIP
> (5) Normal Epson driver, using paper profile + no color 
adjustment mode
> 
> To return to QuadTone RIP:  I'm looking at a print of the same 
image printed 
> using QuadTone RIP and ImagePrint.  The IP print looks 
"richer" and more 
> "neutral."  It's hard to explain, and perhaps part of the difference 
is that the IP 
> one is on Epson Velvet and the QuadTone RIP one is on 
Enhanced Matte.  
> But even so, the IP print appears to be a more neutral 
grayscale to me.  The 
> QuadTone print seems to tend every so slightly toward a 
greenish-gray.  I do 
> mean slightly -- perhaps the best way to describe the 
difference is the 
> difference between what Ilford fiber paper looks like with 
selenium toning and 
> without it (with the IP print looking more like a selenium toned 
fiber print).  
> 
> The thing is,  this is probably just a personal preference thing.  
AND you can 
> create your own ink curves for QuadTone (you can -- it's way 
above my head, 
> so I haven't even tried), so you could probably adjust it to suit 
your personal 
> preference of what neutral should look like.  AND neither print 
shows color 
> shift under different light (tungsten and halogen so far).
> 
> Given that QuadTone costs $500 less than IP, I think the 
choice is pretty easy.  
> I commend Roy for this program and hope it only gets better.

Sounds like its pretty close.  I thank Carl for his efforts in working
on the curve.  I think he did it by eye so everyone may see
things a little differently.  The initial problem with the 2200 is
the brown tone which is mainly neutralized by cyan.  There is
a little magenta being added already but it sounds you'd like a
little more.   Curves may sound daunting but just adding one
color is pretty easy.  Print out a step wedge to decide where you 
want some change.  Then look in the Ultrachrome folder,
copy Carl's psd file to a new name and look at it in Photoshop.
There's just one Adjustment Curve Layer, click it, find the
magenta curve.   Nudge it up in the area you think looks 
green on the step wedge.  Save the psd file and then also
Save As a Raw file.  Name it UC-user1.quad  then drag it
into CurveDropBox.   You're ready to go.  Print now with your
UC-user-1 curve.  Try it and see, modify it as you see fit.

It would be great if someone with a color densitometer could
tweak these curves.  Any takers?

Roy