Digital BW, The Print

* -----Original Message-----
* From: boywithbubblegun [mailto:piet.van.den.eynde@...] 
* Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 9:35 AM
* To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
* Subject: [Digital BW] Some questions about the Septone Ink system
* 
* 
* Hello, I am one of those who bought an Epson 2100 (as the 2200 is 
* called in Europe) for it's supposed high quality B/W output. This 
* might be the case when matte paper is used, but with Ilford Smooth 
* Pearl Paper, I get terrible metamerism (my prints get a different 
* color cast depending on the light source being daylight, fluorescent 
* light, ...) effects (even worse with Epson's or Ilford's Glossy 
* Papers)
* 
* Before investing more money into it, could somebody tell me
* 1) If the Septone ink system eliminates the problem of metamerism 
* with NON-matte papers such as Ilford Smooth Pearl or Smooth Gloss.

The Septone inks are carbon pigment inks. With very few exceptions these
types of ink are not meant for and do not work well on RC papers. They are
designed for matte papers. Some people like the look of carbon pigment inks
on glossy and smooth RC papers but there are problems. With some of the
inks, including Septone, it has been reported that they do not adhere well
to the RC surfaces. You might be able to overcome this with fixative sprays
but that adds another step to the process. The other issue is bronzing
caused by the matte ink sitting on top of the glossy surface.

Better results on glossy papers have been reported with MIS UltraTone inks
and you might want to ask about those. I have tried Piezo, MIS VM and
Piezotones on glossy paper myself and did not like the results at all.

If you want glossy and semi-gloss prints I think you will do much better
sticking with the OEM inks and purchasing one of the RIPs that are designed
to give improved B&W output.

* 2) Is the Septone ink system compatible with the 2100 (I suppose 
* that this is the same as asking if 2200 cartridges are compatible 
* with 2100 cartridges)

On their website, http://www.bwguys.com/software.aspx, they say about
Septone:

"....an AdobeR PhotoshopR export plug-in that runs under the WindowsR and
MacintoshR operating systems and drives the EpsonR Stylus PHOTO 2100/2200
with Sundance Septone inks."

As for the 2200 cartridges fitting a 2100 I can't say but I would be very
surprised if they did not. Check with Epson.

Martin Wesley
http://www.carolyn.cc/Guests/MartinWesley/pages/MW_01.html
http://www.borderless-photos.de/guests.html