Digital BW, The Print

Paul,
          Thanks muchly for your comments. I have an Epson 1270 as my 
printer at the moment. I've been tempted to get an HP7960 for B and W after 
reading a review on photo-i website in the UK. Then I heard that the 
cheaper 7660 would do BW just as well!!!   The I heard that the HP Premium 
Photo Glossy that all the overseas people are using is not available in Oz. 
When I ask at the local computer stores that sell the 7960 and 7660 they 
know nothing about the different HP papers?  I see that Colourfast Photo 
Paper is selling in Oz. Is this the same as the Premium Glossy that the 
overseas people talk about??
             I have lots of old BW negs that I need to print. Setting up my 
darkroom is a drag (its the laundry at night), in fact I haven't printed a 
silver print once in the last three years and I don't really want to do it 
again.  Maybe I just have to go and buy a 7660 even though it will only do 
8x10's.

     Cheers,
                   Roger



At 07:35 AM 26/02/2004 +0000, you wrote:
>A photographer's thoughts on digital black & white printing:
>
>I started my photographic career over 20 years ago as a black & white
>printer. I spent a few years in the darkroom printing large numbers
>of prints for the photographers in a busy commercial studio before
>becoming one of those photographers. I always preferred to print my
>own b&w when I had the chance as I really enjoyed it.
>
>Gradually I moved away from printing and eventually digital
>photography became a working reality. I made the switch to digital
>cameras only last year when I was finally convinced the technology
>was viable and cost effective compared to film. There was a lot of
>new stuff to learn, in fact I'm still learning and enjoying the
>process. It certainly keeps my brain active and the re-education has
>focused me on the creative process more then ever.
>
>I got involved in digital printing a few years ago with Epson desktop
>printers.  As colour  printers they were excellent.  I had always
>sent out colour work to a lab, now it was pretty easy to get a print
>from a scanned negative that looked as though it had come from that
>lab.  I brought most of my colour work back in house. I did try
>printing black & white on these printers but was never happy with the
>result. Colour casts were the main problem, I could never get a
>neutral print and black ink only prints would never be accepted by
>clients used to those on glossy resin coated paper. So I left digital
>printing to colour work only and printed b&w the traditional way in
>the darkroom.
>
>Wind forward to a few months ago. I read some articles in photography
>magazines about quadtone ink systems that piqued my interest. A
>thorough search on the internet yielded a lot of information. I knew
>I was in for a whole new learning experience.
>
>Firstly I equipped myself with an Epson 1160 and MIS VM Quadtone
>inks. It was straightforward to set up and get prints from. I used
>Epson Archival Matte and Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper. Ok so these
>prints were not what I was used to from the darkroom. I had generally
>preferred gloss or lustre RC finish on my black & white work. Trying
>these types of papers (Ilford Gallerie Pearl for example) led to
>differential reflections with the pigment based inks that were
>unacceptable.  Holding one of the prints from the 1160 on matte paper
>next to a darkroom printed copy is like chalk and cheese. They are
>two very different media. This is what I needed to get my head
>around. The matte print when placed under a glass frame gives a
>lovely classic, timeless image and is clearly ideal for a large size
>exhibition print. Hold it in your hand and it looks a little lifeless
>and dull, frame it and it takes on a whole new character.
>
>On the internet I read about a new model printer from HP that claimed
>to deliver exceptional black & white prints on glossy paper using
>their optional grey cartridge. A lot of research led me to buying the
>HP 7660. Straight out of the box I got a print that closely matched
>those from the darkroom. I have spent a few weeks running prints
>through it with a variety of papers and have found it to be a
>terrific printer. The combination of HP's Premium Plus Glossy Paper
>with the grey cartridge has been tested by Wilhem Research to have a
>lifespan of 75 years. That's good enough for my clients and me.  I
>have had very good results using Ilford Gallerie Smooth Pearl, though
>that does not have the archival properties of the HP paper. However
>if you need prints that don't need to last a lifetime it's the paper
>to use.  The 7660 is limited by its output size compared to the
>larger Epson models. Hopefully HP will release an A3+ version in the
>future. I have not used my darkroom for black & white printing since
>I bought this printer.
>
>My latest experience is with an Epson 1290 (1280 in the US) and MIS
>UT2 inkset. I decided to give this a try after reading about users
>experiences on this forum. Compared to the 1160, the prints are an
>improvement. Clearer, sharper images with better shadow detail and
>increased dynamic range.  I can also print on glossy surfaces; Epson
>Premium Semi-Gloss giving the best result and having, as I
>understand, an archival lifespan of 200 years. I recently went to a
>Man Ray exhibition currently showing in the Art Gallery of New South
>Wales (Australia) and was pleased to note that the quadtone prints I
>am making now on my 1290 with UT2 are similar in tone and finish to
>those on display there. The Man Ray prints date from the mid 1920s.
>
>So what are my conclusions? I am convinced that I can retire my
>darkroom in the very near future and totally rely on digital printers
>for my black & white work.   There are two types of print media that
>although very different in appearance, offer photographers (and
>clients) a distinct choice. The quadtone pigmented ink on cotton rag
>paper when framed under glass looks elegant and timeless.  The RC
>glossy or lustre finish dye based print has the look and feel of a
>traditional darkroom print.  I like to use both where appropriate.
>
>
>This very forum has provided me with much valuable help and
>knowledge. I must say a big thank you to Paul Roark whose tireless
>work in this area and quick response to varied requests from many
>members is to be commended. There are many other members too; who
>provide knowledgeable and ready help for those learning this often
>difficult and sometimes frustrating process.
>
>Paul Murphy
>
>
>
>
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Roger and Gwyn Gillard                                    rgg@...

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