Digital BW, The Print

Andy,

Welcome to the group! I'll give you some brief responses to your 
questions below to get you started for your next round of questions 
since one thing leads to another as you work your way through "going 
digital."

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., mojogroup@y... wrote:
> Hi, I'm new to the list and a lot of this printer technology is new 
to 
> me.....as I understand it, there is not yet  a good output device 
to 
> create master b.w contact printable negatives  from the digital 
> scan of a conventional negative. Is this true?

No its not. In fact this one of the first things to be worked on. I 
would first direct you to Dan Burkholder's site and his book on 
making contact negatives from digital files.

http://www.danburkholder.com/ 

Dan is a platinum printer but if you would like a sample of this 
technology on silver then I suggest you check out Lenswork 
Quarterly's affordable prints. This will give you a good idea of what 
can actually be done on silver with this method.

http://www.lenswork.com/

Also look back in this list for posts about making negatives for 
enlargement from digital files using LVT and LightJet 2080 film 
recorders. Phil Bard is currently working with A&I on this.

http://www.aandi.com/

Also Steve Meyers talks about this on his website:

http://www.xray-art.com/

> 
> Also, what are the current reccomendations for a desktop printer 
> to output b.w prints from a b.w negative file, for 8 1.2 x 11prints?

While other manufactures make great printers Epson is dominant in 
this area largely because all of the after market inks and software 
are aimed at Epson printers.

Which model may depend upon which type of ink you want to use dye or 
pigmentand which models are supported for the ink you choose. That 
choice depends upon a series of trade offs.

To see some of what is out there check out:

http://www.lincolninks.com/
http://www.lysonusa.com/
http://www.inksupply.com/index.cfm?source=html/main2.html
http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/piezographyBW.html

The only current Epson model in that size that would be acceptable to 
me would be the 890. The 780 and 785 are to light weight for what you 
are likely to need. If at all possible go for the 1280. There will be 
much more available in after market materials for the larger 
printers. If cost is an object, than you can get a refurbished 1200 
from Epson for $234 which will actually give you more ink options 
than the newer models.

Also go to the Group Homepage

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint

and look for links under "Bookmarks"

That should get you started on your next questions!

Martin Wesley

> 
> I realize this is a bit simplistic but thanks in advance for your 
> replies.
> 
> Andy