Digital BW, The Print

I told myself that I wasn't going to get into yet another "which is
best" discussion, but here I am. 

I have over 100 digital b&w prints from various exchanges and friends.
I see very good prints using many different methods and different
printers. It depends on what's important to you. I've tried several
methods myself, currently very happy with Black Only. 

I think Richard Sintchak's comment (below) is about the best objective
summation. Also see Clayton Jones' website. 

You'll find your experience level is a much greater factor than your
choice of hardware, ink or paper. So just buy something and start
printing. Eventually if it doesn't seem to be what you want, try
something else. Just give it a try. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Richard Sintchak
<rich815@g...> wrote:
> My advice would be the same as B. Campbell.  If Super A3 is big enough
> then get a 2200 and an MIS Eboni black cart and give the BO workflow a
> go.  Looks really good (some even say better than some other
> "smoother" workflows) and if you decide not you can still pursue other
> options and little has been spent either time or money-wise.  Do not
> get caught up in "theory" of which is best and it seems some are not
> focusing on what you are asking for:  Although Image Quality is your
> number one consideration (for who is image quality not?) it's quite
> subjective.  That's for you to decide.  Key in your request are
> simplicity and cost.  BO is the king for those (yes, a CFS is cheaper
> in the long run, but sends the Simplicity aspect out the window).  And
> it has Longevity as well (with the right papers, like any workflow). 
> Take it from one who has been through the route of MIS Full Specturm
> inks, Randall Curves, CFS systems, Cone drivers, etc. No matter what
> everyone says the more complex workflows rarely go easily and smoothly
> at first and there is often a tedious learning/testing curve.  Once
> you've got it, yes, you're set.  But oh the bother.  And the paper. 
> And the ink.  But some are into testing and the puzzle of it all.  I
> got good results from my 1160 and using the various workflows of
> Randall curves, Cone drivers, etc.  And for a time enjoyed testing and
> tweaking, etc.  But it was too inconsistent in the end.  Now I'm a BO
> die-hard but am also immensely enjoying the new Windows QTR as well. 
> Both could not be simpler!
> 
> Richard
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: B. Campbell <bellis60@v...>
> Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 07:43:21 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Digital B&W Printing--Which method?
> To: digitalblackandwhitetheprint@yahoogroups.com
> 
> Obviously you're going to get many different suggestions, you'll
just have
> to pick the one that seems best to you. But just so the message below
> doesn't put you off of black only entirely, I've had none of the
problems
> mentioned in that message when I've used black only with the Epson 2200
> printer and MIS Eboni black ink. The prints look, to my eyes at
least, very
> good and are more consistently neutral than the prints I get using
MIS VM
> inks in my Epson 1280 printer. While I wouldn't tell you that black
only is
> the best way to go, it is an easy, inexpensive way. Even if you
don't like
> the results, all you've spent on it is about $10 for the Eboni
cartridge and
> a few minutes of time.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Douglas Meeuwsen" <lipshurt@m...>
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 10:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Digital B&W Printing--Which method?
> 
> 
> 
> well, I give my vote to mis UT ink using the driver/sliders method.
> Super easy, and look real good, work on lots of papers. Just have to
> dial them in on your papers, which is pretty easy by trial and error.
> Looks better than black-only, which was not really that simple when I
> tried it. Black-only has problems with dither banding on certain dark
> areas which can ruin a print. quadtone rip seemed to work exactly as
> well as the sliders method, only 4 times slower. Paul roarks curves
> method is cool too for more control, but for me, the sliders give
> plenty of control.
> On Sep 15, 2004, at 4:12 PM, jayglad wrote:
> 
> > At any rate, my priorities are:
> >
> >  1. Image quality
> >  2. Simplicity of workflow
> >  3. Longevity
> >  4. Cost
> >  (Have I overlooked anything?)
> >
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
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> CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
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> LOSSES (EVEN IF THE  "OWNER" AND "MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
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> RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE DIGITAL BW,
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