Digital BW, The Print

I have seen HP b/w prints on their Premium Plus papers.  I must say 
the print quality and neutrality is impressive.  No objectionable 
metamerism or bronzing on these RC papers.

I used one of these printers at the local CompUsa store, and the HP 
rep was kind enough to let me print one of my photographs.  The print 
was perfect straight out of the printer.  I have seen cliams that 
these inks/paper combination are capable of DMax greater than 2.7!  
Using a Heiland PM-Densitometer, I am measuring Dmax ~2.3.  In 
comparison,  using Epson UltraChome inks we typically get ~1.6 for 
matter papers, and ~2.1 on RC papers.

Pros & Cons (as I see it)

HP:  (1) Out of the box b/w prints, (2) Higher Dmax, (3) Limited to 
swellable polymer papers,  including Ilford Classic line, (4) These 
papers are not water-proof, and in fact smudge very easily on finger 
contact, (5) Less longevity on 100% cotton art papers?

Epson UC with Light Gray:  (1) Wide range of papers, (2) A lot of 
workflows, (3) Bronzing on RC papers, (4)Lower DMax.

My own preference is matte papers, and am not overly concerned about 
DMax, so I am staying with Epson, for now at least.

So, if you want easy b/w, HP printers are a good choice; you just 
need to know the limitations.

Hope this helps.

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carl Schofield 
<scho@m...> wrote:
> I for one would be more than happy to have an archival, dye based 
> solution that avoids all of the negatives associated with pigment 
inks 
> on both RC and cotton papers (bronzing, metamerism, flaking, low 
dmax, 
> etc.).  Perhaps the new HP inks and papers or the much hyped and 
long 
> awaited (soon to be available?) "Futures" inks should be considered 
> seriously.  Assuming Wilhelm's tests are realistic, then the only 
> negatives I can see at this point with the HP products are ink and 
> paper costs and lack of 3rd party support.  I also have not seen HP 
B&W 
> prints made with the new papers and inks so can't comment on print 
> quality.
> 
> On Mar 27, 2005, at 3:18 PM, pdcorlis wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > "Due to longevity concerns, most of us want to use pigment inks 
for 
> > our work (ie, Epson
> > printers), and most other printers use dye inks."
> >
> > I'm really not trying to start an arguement here, but if the 
Wilhelm 
> > tests are correct - and
> > the newer HP ink and paper combination do give 100+ for framed 
and 
> > glassed display,
> > doesn't that at least call us to question our belief that pigment 
inks 
> > are the only way to go?
> > Again - I'm really not trying to stir anything up here - but 
trying to 
> > weigh all the options
> > prior to investing in a solution.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any help you can give me
> >
> > Phil C.