Digital BW, The Print

Alec:

> 1.  Could I buy the 2200 and the light version of ImagePrint and use 
> the 2200 for both color and B&W?

Yes. ImagePrint makes wonder B&W prints and the color profiles are very accurate.


> 2.  If the answer to 1 is yes. Would I be restricted to Epson's inks 
> or would it be possible to use oem inks and cartridges?

ImagePrint profiles are for Epson inks, but I suppose you could make your own profiles, 
or have profiles made for other inks but those profiles might not be as good. If you're 
concerned about cost per print then you might want to get the forthcoming Epson 4000, 
but unless you're making lots of prints this should not be an issue. The 4000 would also 
allow you to make larger prints, 16x24 inches.


> 3.  Would there be some restriction w.r.t. papers?  (I am assuming 
> that if there are limitiations (w.r.t. #2 and #3) these will be 
> removed as more vendors move to support this printer.)

ImagePrint has profiles for lots of papers. Look at their web site.


> 4.  Finally, I notice that Kodak has recently entered the printer 
> market with dye-sub printer.  How are these for B&W?

Kodak has had the 8600 and 8650 dye sub printers some for ten years. I had the 8650 
and found that prints with even tone areas, like skies, were often subject to streaking, 
and the maximum print size is only 8x12 inches. The B&W is satisfactory when printed 
with the RGB ribbon rather than the grayscale ribbon, the latter lacking "depth." But I 
prefer my Epson 7600/ImagePrint prints.

--Mitch/Bangkok