Digital BW, The Print

Marcel,

>I too want to chime in that the HP 7960 just might be a more
>significant 'development' than it has gotten credit for.
>I know that some on this group are just plain skeptical
>of dye and paper as opposed
>to ink on cotton, but if the Wilhelm rating is
>70+ years in both color and B&W  isn't that worth
>looking into?  ...

>What's really needed is for someone (Paul?)
>to confirm these findings and to run test on non-HP papers.

I think MIS is going to send an HP to me for that very purpose.  I'll run
some comparative fade tests, etc.

>What would be the fade time on EEM or Velvet?

I read somewhere that without the swellable-surface, special paper the
display life is just like any other dye -- just several years.  I'll test
some of these other papers also if MIS sends a printer.

>In the meantime if early reviews are accurate
>this little guy leads the pack in B&W quality
>with perhaps the new Epson r800 (as yet unseen by
>most) a 'dark horse' contender.  ...

"Speaking" of quality, I printed the 256-step test file with the C82 and the
MIS pigments in it.  The only deviations from a perfect ramp were that 254
printed white, and the deep shadows are compressed.  0 & 1 (out of 256
steps) are both at the dmax, 2 & 3 measure as the same but lighter than the
dmax, and 3 & 4 measure the same but lighter yet.  Then the ramp is smooth
and appropriately separated all the way up.  So, aside from doubling up one
step at the top and 3 steps at the bottom end, this is a perfect ramp --
quite an achievement for $69 and archival pigments with a display life
multiples of the HP's on a variety of papers.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com