Digital BW, The Print

Todd,

I have not seen any direct, objective comparisons between the 7000 and the
smaller-dot Epsons to know whether there is a visible difference.  The
prints and test strips I've seen from the 7000 using the Epson driver are
excellent, so I assume it will be visually equal to the others and
presumably better than the alternative for large prints -- the 3000.  (I
assume no one would buy either of these unless you want to do large prints.
For me, the 16x20 has always been my target size, so I now have a 3000 as
well as an 1160.)

I don't know how the dot sizes of the 3000 and 7000 compare, but I assume
the 7000 is smaller.  Additionally, the 7000 with the variable-tone inkset
will be a true hextone -- which does make a small difference; more shades of
ink allow for smoother outputs.   (Note that the Piezo 7000 inkset is really
just a quad -- 4 total shades, not 6.  The nozzle checks with Piezo ink
indicate that the light/photo shade inks are the same densities as the
others.  That is, the magenta and light/photo magenta are the same.)

As good as I expect the 7000 to be, I want to add that I've been pleasantly
surprised at the high quality of the 3000 output.  That printer has large
dots and a bad reputation for paper handling and banding (especially with
the Piezo driver).  In test strips using the variable-tone inkset I can see
some graininess, but in 16x20s, I don't see any evidence of it.  My medium
format Tmax 100 negatives appear to be the limiting factors, not the 3000's
dots.  Using Archival Matte fed from the front, the printer feeds perfectly
and has no banding.  (I think it is actually better than my 1160.)  (I have
a pre-release 24" roll of Archival Matte.  It'll be released next month by
Epson.)

You'll notice that for the 3000 I have two "NC" (neutral-cool) curves.  What
I found is that different curves produce dots at different places.  Contrary
to my expectations, the dots are not visible in the highlights (where the
Epson ink in the 3000 shows bad dots).  Rather, the dots show up in the
midtones or dark tones.  On most of the curves, the dots are so mild as to
be irrelevant.  With the NC curves, however, I decided to make two versions
so that if the dots do show in a print, the other curve can be used and the
dots may then be in a place where they will not show.

So, to get back to the 7000, I expect it will be a great printer with the
variable-tone inkset.  However, if one can't afford the 7000, and if you can
live with paper thin enough to feed from the front, I would not hesitate to
buy a 3000.  For 16x20s it is the cheap way to go, and my 16x20 Archival
Matte prints look great.  (I may need to remove a pizza wheel, but I haven't
bothered yet.)

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com



  -----Original Message-----
  From: Todd Flashner [mailto:tflash@...]
  Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 10:20 PM
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Greetings


  Welcome back Paul. Alaska Huh? Lucky boy.

  Looks like MIS is up to good things.

  Question: with Piezo, the 7000 seems to be the top of the line from a
  quality-output point of view (as well as everything else too, I suppose) -
  is that true with your variable-tone method too, or with it's larger
droplet
  size than some of the smaller printers, does the 7000's output suffer
  relative to them?

  Todd

  > Hi,
  >
  > I'm back, and glad to see that there is a new and independent forum for
  > discussing B&W printing technologies.  The Piezo forum has lots of
  > knowledgeable people, but it's really only for Piezo inks.  The
Epson-inkjet
  > forum is also very useful, but I'm really just into B&W, and most of the
  > discussions there are not that relevant.
  >
  > How does this forum compare to the DigitalSilver@... forum?
  >
  > At any rate, I'm back.
  >
  > It looks like MIS has posted some of the variable-tone (their "variable
  > mix") materials.  I'll be finishing the 1280 curves soon.  The 7000 is
also
  > now in the works. (Interestingly, a 2000 user is switching in the
  > variable-tone inkset.  I had never though of that as a 3rd party ink
  > machine.)
  >
  > Paul
  > http://www.PaulRoark.com
  >
  >
  >
  > If you do not wish to belong to Digital B&W, The Print, you may
  > unsubscribe by sending an email to:
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  >
  >
  >
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  >


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