Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "James Sims" 
<james@l...> wrote:
> Here is an excerpt from the epson site that makes some subtle 
> distinction on the suitibility of these two printers for B & W 
> printing...
> 
> 4000
> Professional Level Black & White Photographic Printing¹ 
> *   Produces a truly consistent image with little color crossover 
or 
> colorcasts 
> *   Reduced metamerism on 7-color black & white prints 
> *   Depending upon media, produces a black D-max up to 2.1 
> *   Produces sellable quality neutral or toned black and white 
prints
> 
> 7600
> Professional Level Black and White Photographic Printing
> *   Produces a truly consistent image with no color "crossover" or 
> color casts. 


This may/may not help answer the question.  Yesterday, at the NY 
Photo Expo., an Epson rep. explained to a bunch of us standing around 
the new 4000 that there was no difference in the quality of any of 
their current printers; i.e. 1440 is 1440 is 1440.  What the pro-
grade printers offer in terms of image quality is CONSISTENCY from 
print to print.  Not that the smaller printers were all over the map 
but just that a fine line of consistency from the pro printers could 
be expected.

I kept this in mind and wandered back over to the Cone's booth where 
he had on display mounted samples of B/W prints from a variety of 
Epson printers from the (older) 1200 thru the 2000P (3000 and 1280 
included).  I held, turned and examined the prints under the very 
strong overhead light and I swear I could see NO differences in the 
raw image quality.  By the way, all of the prints were absolutely 
gorgeous and indiscernalble from conventional darkroom prints.  Nary 
a dot, band or area of posterization present.  I couldn't check for 
metamirism but don't forget conventional prints were never totally 
exempt from that either. 

Don't sweat the last .1 D-max.  People don't view prints with 
reflection densitometers anyway. 

  
> *   Able to produce neutral or toned black and white prints to 
> satisfy demanding photographers. 
> *   Depending upon the media used, you can produce a black D-max up 
> to 2.0.
> 
> Draw your own conclusions.... I personally believe that these 
subtle 
> distinctions in Epson's product literature indicates a difference, 
> for some reason, in the B & W printing quality of these two 
printers.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> James Sims
> http://www.jamessims.com