Digital BW, The Print

Clayton, greetings.

Your points, as always, are well-taken.  I was unaware of the C84's print driver 
contrast boost -- interesting.  I will say, in defense of my friends, that they found the 
prints from the three machines nearly indistinguishable.  I agree with you, that there 
are many variables to consider when buying a printer.  But again, if you can live with 
letter-sized prints, and you don't sit around with a loupe comparing these prints all 
day, it's hard to see how one might justify buying one of the big machines when the 
C84 does such an incredible job with the UT EZ inkset.  

Before I leave this subject -- does anyone know whether the new C86 offers any 
improvement that would be material to our use of the C84 with the MIS inks?

Sanders 



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones" <cj@c...> 
wrote:
> Hello Sanders,
> 
> >...Every single person picked the C84.
> 
> That's a good testimony for this little miracle machine and Paul's
> genius with the inks.
> 
> 
> >the prints for some reason have more punch -- lights are
> >lighter, darks are darker.
> 
> Which means the prints have more contrast, which is probably what the
> viewers are responding to.
> 
> >...for some reason
> 
> The reason is the C64 driver is increasing the contrast, probably
> something that was programmed into it because Epson figures most C64
> users won't be photo techies (similar to Kodak's reasoning for
> increasing color saturation for consumer grade films). If you increase
> contrast on the 2200/7600 to match you would get a similar print...
> 
> >the dither pattern of the C84 in the midtones is rougher
> 
> ...or better because of a smoother dither.
> 
> 
> >I wouldn't waste the money on a 2200, 
> 
> There are several reasons someone might choose a 2200 even if they
> only print letter size.  A wider variety of inks, CIS, and especially
> the ability to print on any sort of thick stock through its rear
> feeder.  There are quite a few high quality thick papers that give
> auto feeders the fits.
> 
> The C64 is terrific but there are lots of things to consider in
> choosing a printer.
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
> 
> 
> Info on black and white digital printing at    
> http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm