Digital BW, The Print

Jack  -
 
If you're going to spend more money, you might consider Imageprint for your 2200.  The b&w quality out of this combination is as good as the alternative b&w inksets.  You can see on Wilhelm's site the expect longevity.  If that's not good enough, then you pretty much have to go with one of the other inksets.  But, the Ultrachrome ink set is very good.  This is not an image quality issue.  However, while the Imageprint/Ultrachrome combination has a built in 'toner' capability while still using gray scale and b&w profiles, some of the alternative inks can produce different tones.  The most notable of which is the pure carbon inks.  If those tones are important, then the Imageprint solution might not work.  But, if you;re looking for tones from warm to cool around neutral, Imageprint is very good.  Also, there is a new version coming out in January or so.  I don't know the details, but purchasing now, as I understand it, will qualify you for a no cost upgrade.
 
I sound a bit like an add for Imageprint, but the results are extremely good in both b&w and color.  And, virtually no hassle, with identical results from print to print, even across ink cartrage changes.
 
Tom Baker

Jack McLain <jmclainaz@...> wrote:
I've been following the discussions in this format for awhile now, and
appreciate all the good advice I've read.

I was hoping that it would become clear to me eventually which B&W digital
printing system was "best" for my purposes... alas, it has not.

I was about to pull the trigger and buy the Septone advanced kit.  I already
own a Epson 2200 printer (which delivers outstanding color, but as you all
know.. so-so B&W).  I am shooting only B&W these days and want to maximize
my printing to at least that which I was once able to do in a traditional
darkroom. Archival potential is important to me.  Very large paper size is
not (11X14 is big enough).  I am somewhat of a computer luddite and don't
want (or know how) to mess with creating profiles and too much
experimentation. I want to plug and play to the greatest extent possible.  I
own Photoshop 7, a trinitron monitor, and a Nikon film scanner.

Now I read that there are still problems with the Septone system and am
rethinking my strategy. I am surprised that there is little in the way of
user comments available for review.  I take that as a sign that the Septone
system might not be widly accepted and used.  This might make it an orphaned
system before too long (with difficulty getting inks and support).

Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and buy a new 1280 (or other) printer
and dedicate it to B&W and keep the 2200 for the (rare) sale of a color
print.

If you had the opportunity to start fresh, with the options available today,
what would you buy?  A 1280 printer with Peziography profiles and inks?
Septone? what?

thanks much
cheers
Jack McLain
Tucson, AZ
http://jackmclain-photography.dotcommunity.net


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