Digital BW, The Print

I've just returned from the darkroom, and the "true" black and white prints from mpix 
tone beautifully via traditional methods.  

Like most of the members on this list I have sought out a true digital replacement for 
my darkroom prining.  As I shoot all digital now, I have been searching for a method 
to output to silver paper.  I know of two labs that print to silver paper, www.mpix.com 
and San Miguel www.bestlab.com.  San Miguel uses a LCD in the carrier of an optical 
enlarger (fibre and RC), and Mpix uses a Durst Theta which exposes paper with either 
LED's or laser (can't remember which).  From the sounds of it, most users are divided 
on the quality of San Miguels output, and as the price was high I did not try them out.  
However, since mpix is only 2.49 per 8x10 I gave it a shot.

The prints are neutral with an excellent tonal range and rich blacks.  I don't care much 
for numbers or sensitometry but visually these prints exhibit excellent Dmax.

I wanted to see how the prints would tone, so that I could add slight color as well as 
added longevity.  The first print was used with Kodak Sepia Toner, the traditional 2 
bath.  Not much to say, very sepia.  Looks great with portraits.  On the second print, I 
bleached the print with the Sepia Toner first bath, washed, then redeveloped with 
Ilford Multigrade at a dilution of 1:4.  This gave the image a slightly colder tone.  As I 
wanted a cold purple or blue look, I gave it a two minute bath in Kodak Rapid 
Selenium Toner 1:5.  That cooled off the image remarkably.

This paper tones easily and is an excellent paper for redevelopment.  Accordingly, any 
number of darkroom practices can be used on these prints (gold toning, platinum 
toning, etc.).  I'll be trying a lith redevelopment next - as soon as my next order 
comes in.

That and no ink on my hands...  Consider that they can print up to 20x30 ($32.00) so 
the alternative would be an Epson 7600, and not many of us can afford that beast.

Don