Digital BW, The Print

Diana,

>I have an Epson 3000 still running the original PiezographyBW software and
>inks. I need to purchase more ink (in
>bottles), but am not sure which ink I should purchase now as the
>descriptions have changed since my last purchase. 

I just loaded the new MIS UT-FSN into my 3000.  The MIS "FS" series is
Piezo-compatible.  The UT-FSN is an Ultra Tone family ink (state-of-the-art
and RC/barrier paper compatible with the Photo K -- although I don't
recommend this for the 3000).  It is a neutral/"selenium" tone ink that will
probably be used by most to replace the current MIS FSN.  The UT-FSN is not
as cold as the FSN -- it is dead neutral on EEM with a slightly raised
magenta channel to give the "selenium" look.

I will be writing RGB control curves for it and a companion UT-FS-Carbon
version.  For those who want intermediate tones, mixing the two is the
route.

The black I'm using and recommend is the Eboni (like Cone Museum) black.  It
has no dye in it and is extremely light-fast.


>which black is the one that used to be with the original set? 
>Is one of the others better to use now? ...

The original PiezoBW black, like the MIS VM/FS black, had some dye in it.
It is probably no longer available from these sources, and I would not use
it anyway.  The modern pure carbon blacks -- Eboni and Museum -- get a
better dmax on EEM than the old black.  There are new hybrid blacks that are
darker, but I would not use them.  They'll warm and fade much faster.

The Eboni/Museum work fine with the old driver.

I do recommend flushing the old inks before putting new inks in the 3000.
It took a couple of days for the Eboni to settle down and give good nozzle
checks.  It has been fine once it got going.

With the 3000 Epson driver, Eboni and PhotoRag give the best dmax I've seen
on any currently available paper.   (The Piezo driver gives a much lower
dmax.)

Hope this helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com