Digital BW, The Print

Boris-

The 1280 is a fantastic printer...so is the 2200 but without some 
RIP, the 2200 is a beast to get good BW.

There is not reason in the world that you wouldn't have just as good 
a print from the 1280...the only difference is that the 2200 lets you 
do BW and color. Since you've already dedicated the 1280, that 
doesn't seem to be a motivating factor.

I mostly use an 1160 or 2200, but I've dabbled a little with the 1270 
(old version of 1280). The hextone does seem to add a notch or two of 
complication, but also of improved smoothness.

If you don't really need the variable feature...why not try a simple 
mix that is the tone you like best and see where you go with that 
first. I like the MIS FS, myself, but there are plenty of choices.

The thing this offers is simplicity for starters and a base that is 
constant. One of the themes that Tyler and Martin have both expressed 
and I think all the experienced printers seem to agree is that almost 
any system will work to make great prints if you really master 
it...so I would advise starting with a simple one...complicate it 
later if you feel the need.

Just a thought....

good luck,

Tom O'Connell


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "borisw8" 
<borisw8@y...> wrote:
> Hi group.  New member here.
> 
> I have been struggling for over a year now, trying to get results 
> from a 1280 with the MIS variable hex-tone system.  The results are 
> still completely unacceptable to me.  I don't know what I could be 
> doing wrong.  I convert to RGB, apply the correct curve, use 
Archival