Digital BW, The Print

Nelson,

welcome to the group! When you get some "free time", try to look at the 
archives (i.e. search old messages) here. You may learn a lot about which 
printers do what and why they are liked.

Meanwhile, by way of a brief introduction:

- If you want one printer for both color and bw, you can't beat the new Epsons 
(2200, 7600, 9600).

- If you want a separate printer dedicated for bw, you may consider a 1280 
with a CIS (or a 7000/7500/9000/9500 for larger sizes).

- Your chances of success will depend on the software you use to drive the 
printer: 
 (a) Epson driver and RGB curves - free with a great debt to Paul Roark
(b) QuadTone RIP (Mac OS X only) - free thanks to Roy Harrington
(c) IJC / OPM (Mac OS 9 only) - OPM is free, IJC is $200 and allows you to 
make profiles if you have a densitometer.
(d) Imageprint by Colorbyte (good for bw and color on the 2200, supports Mac 
and PC but more expensive than the above and doesn't allow for linearization 
by end user).
(e) Ergosoft RIP (PosterPrint etc) good for large formats in bw, PC only, allows 
grayscale profiling by end user.


You may do well to take a look at the manufacturers sites for the above as well 
as the two main ink sources for bw: Inkjetmall and MIS. Links for most of these  
are in our Links section (visit the group homepage and you'll see them).

Good luck.

Antonis


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Nelson Ricciardi" 
<nelson_@r...> wrote:
> Hi there.
> 
> I'm a new member of this great list.
> 
> I've been involved with photography for an year, more or less, as an
> amateur. It is a serious hobby and I consider myself very commited to the
> learning process.
> 
> I use both an Elan II and a 10D. I also had the chance to use the great
> Leica 4P with a 50mm f2. That was great. But I had to return the camera to
> the owner, a close friend of mine. The only thing that kept me from buying
> an used M6TTL was the digital revolution. I really don't see myself doing
> too much film anymore.
> 
> I'm also computer litterate and use PS7 daily. Levels, curves, channel
> mixer, adjustment layers, printing profiles are all part of my image
> manipulation routine.
> 
> Now, as part of this great journey, I believe it has come the time to buy a
> printer.
> 
> Since I like a lot to work in B&W, specially for portraits, I've decided to
> join this group and learn from your great experiences.
> 
> Considering that scenario, what would you recommend?
> 
> My present routine involves printing on a Fuji Frontier. I have to say that
> I like the results, but friends keep telling me that inkjets can produce
> better results.
> 
> What is your opinion? Is this a fact?
> 
> Can I expect longevity from a inkjet print?
> 
> Well... I'm still in the first steps of my journey but I do expect to have
> the opportunity to help other in the future based on the knowledge I'm sure
> I'll get here.
> 
> My best regards.
> 
> Nelson
> www.pbase.com/ricciardi