Digital BW, The Print

> 
> From: cpeacock@...
> Date: 2003/10/03 Fri PM 01:32:42 EDT
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Newbie Questions
> 
>There seems to be a suggestion that by using cleaning >cartridges you can routinely switch back and forth between >various ink cartridges on a 1270. I am suspicious that >this is far from easy and I'd be better off getting a >printer and dedicating it to B&W inks.

Switching cartridges, running cleaning cycles in between, etc., is certainly possible when using the small cartridges such as in the Epson 1270. However, IMO, you're better off and certainly provides more efficient workflow if you dedicate a printer to quadtone printing.

>    Second, if I do get a second printer is a 1270 really >the best choice for B&W (at least at similar cost). I've >seen recommendations that an Epson 1160 would be better >since it has fewer colors, others suggesting an Epson 1200 >since it has not IC in the cartridge, others suggesting a >2000P since it was designed for pigment ink and many >others saying not to waste your money on Epson printers at >all (these seem to suggest $5000 printers that wouldn't >fit into my apartment). Any opinions here?

The Epson 1160 is long discontinued, though available, occasionally, refrubished and/or on the used market. It is a decent printer for making quadtones. Based on your anticipated cost range, I would suggest an Epson 1280 with MIS inks; especially, if the rebate is still available. I think the recent rebate put this printer at ~$300US. If you want to go the next step up, get an Epson 2200 with UC inks and run Roy's QuadToneRIP or one of the various RIPs available such as ImagePrint. Much getter investment here, though...

>    Third, back when I did old fashioned wet darkroom >work, my favorite paper was Dupont Varilour Double Weight >Glossy which I dried without ferrotyping. When that went >away I changed to Ilford Gallerie which was lots more >expensive and almost as good. These papers gave a smooth >surface (and great detail) without much gloss. Does anyone >have an opinion about a paper I can get that will come >close to this and work with pigmented inkjet ink? The >Epson Matte is nice, but not at all the same.

I used quite a bit of Varilour in my "dark" past...Sorry, but, IMO, you won't be able to match it, or any other silver print, with inks. Quadtones have a beauty all to their own and should be treated as something entirely different than silver-based printing. I worked in the wet darkroom for 30 years and, though there are certain aspects of the B&W silver print that I miss, I really like the quality and look available through quadtone printing. The image resides more "in the paper"...kind of like platinum.

>    Fourth, do most people on the list use pre-filled >cartridges, or do you fill your own? Is filling cartridges >much or a hassle?

I used to use a CIS, but it's a real pain when you want to try other inks; like when MIS/Paul introduced UltraTones. Now I refill cartridges from MIS. I refill once, and toss the cartridge when it's empty. A little more expensive than refilling, again, but I don't want the hassles that can come from bubbles, foam, etc., remaining in the cartridge.

>    Sorry if these are all "asked and answered" questions -> but from what I've seen, you guys seem to know what you >are doing -- and I don't.

Don't apologize...that's what we're here for. Good luck.

Alan Huntley