Digital BW, The Print

Mike

I just got this email whit this info.  It is the most simple direct answer I
have so far.
Regards.......




Bill's comments are only partially true.  While I agree that the 1280
with dye inks cannot match the 2200 for color work, I would suggest that
when used with either Piezography BW and PiezoTone inks, or with any of
the various MIS b/w inksets, such as the UltraTones, the 1280 is a
terrific printer.  In fact, I suspect that the 1280 is the current b/w
printer of choice among desktop models.  I have both, using the 2200
strictly for my color work, and the 1280/Piezography setup for my b/w
printing.






On 10/22/03 9:37 AM, "Mike" <mfractl@hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> First off, this is the first time I've posted here, so hello to
> everyone.  I'm just, finally, making the switch from film to digital,
> and an unexpected by-product of this shift is that I'm rediscovering
> my love of B&W in the digital domain.  This certainly seems to be a
> great group for me to check out, and I assure you all that I'll be
> doing a number of searches through the archives to pick up tips, so
> I'll attempt to avoid asking at least some of the questions that have
> been asked numerous times before.  Nonetheless, there's one question
> on my mind at the moment, and I thought I'd throw it out.
> 
> I've been reading the news about the upcoming Epson 4000, and I've
> read that it's supposed to acheive a DMax of 2.1 on glossy media and
> 1.69 on matte media.  Though I'm no expert on this subject yet, I've
> read that the 2200/7600/9600, with the Ultrachromes, acheive a DMax
> of 2.0 on glossy media and 1.69 on matte.  Obviously, this suggests a
> higher DMax on glossy for the 4000.  And, considering that my
> upcoming foray into digital B&W will involve a search for the best
> DMax, I find this interesting.  (Though I don't know how a printer
> using the same inks/media is supposed to acheive a higher DMax on
> glossy media... maybe by mixing some Matte Black in with the Photo
> Black, since both inks will be available at once?)
> 
> Obviously, I don't expect anyone to predict for me if the 4000 is
> going to do better in this regard than the 2200/7600/9600, but I was
> wondering if I could get a little input on the results people are
> getting with the Ultrachromes or with inks they've substituted for
> the Ultrachromes.  I've read about the MIS inks and the Lyson inks,
> for example, and I'm trying to get a handle on what options provide
> the highest DMax and how those options compare with results I'm used
> to from the traditional, wet darkroom (though it's been a while since
> my B&W days).
> 
> What I really need to do, I'm sure, is attempt to find opportunities
> to actually look at people's work that uses different inks and
> media.  But, inasmuch as my decision to go digital is only a few
> weeks old, and considering that my renewed focus on B&W is only a few
> days old, I really find myself in need of some pointers in the right
> direction.  Like I said, really great DMax is going to be a big focus
> of mine.  Which I'm sure is not uncommon.  But, anyway, I'm just
> wondering if you folks are satisfied with the DMax you're getting
> right now and what combination of inks & media have given the best
> results for superior DMax.
> 
> I'm reluctant to admit my ignorance, but, though I used to get good
> results in the darkroom, and though I used zone system techniques in
> some of my B&W work, I don't really relate very well to DMax
> figures.  I'm afraid to say that I don't really know how figures of
> 1.69 or 2.0 or 2.1 compare to the results I was getting, so they're
> really just abstract figures until I associate them with something
> visual.  Even if I did once know DMax values for the blacks in some
> of my old B&W prints, I'm afraid that knowledge has erroded over the
> years.
> 
> Anyway, sorry for rambling, and thanks for your patience.  I'm pretty
> excited about my 'rediscovery' of B&W, so I'm sure you'll see me here
> more, and I really must find the time to make my way through much of
> the group's archives.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Mike
> 
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