Digital BW, The Print

I can speak from experience about the Lyson Quad Black inks-- I don't like them.  
Admittedly, I began using them when I first started trying to figure out my whole digital 
darkroom workflow (scanning, photoshopping, printing), so I was at the bottom of the 
learning curve.  Looking back on the experience, I can say it probably would have been 
easier if I knew then what I know now (isn't that always the case?), so my tale of woe is 
partly due to my own ignorance.

After a frustrating amount of time spent trying to follow the Lyson instructions and many 
cartridges later, I was able to produce satisfactory prints, but they left me wanting more.  
Getting a linear grayscale response from the inks using Lyson's canned ICC profiles was 
difficult, so I ended up a lot of trial and error to get prints that looked good.  This was all 
before their introduction of the Daylight Darkroom system, which appears to provide more 
control than just using canned ICC profiles.

Furthermore, the inks exhibit metamerism-- they look fairly neutral under artificial light, 
but take on a greenish cast under daylight.  I have even received their Daylight Darkroom 
sample prints, and while the printing is very nice, the inks still have that slight greenish 
look to them.

I have since discovered MIS inks and QuadToneRIP, and I'm never looking back.  I would 
imagine, however, that using QTR with the Lyson Quad Black inks would have given me the 
control I lacked using Lyson's canned ICC profiles, but ultimately, the quality of the MIS 
inks is far beyond that of the Lyson Quad Black inks.

For what it's worth, I was using an Epson Stylus Photo 870 with the Lyson inks, and now I 
use an Epson 1280 with the MIS inks.

-Steve


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulvtt" <paulv@w...> wrote:
> 
> Hi
> 
> I'd like to hear from somebody who uses or has used the Lyson Quad
> Black ink or another manufactures B&W inkset in a Canon I9100 or in an 
> Epson 2200. Through a unique series of events I have both printers. I 
> am seriously considering dedicating one of them to Black & White 
> printing. Thinking about using the Canon for color and the Epson for 
> Black & White, but that is flexible.
> 
> Would like to use a Black & White ink set, perhaps Lyson Quad Black.
> 
> Would like to hear from somebody who has recent experience in using a 
> black & white inkset in either or both printers. Particularly 
> interested in the quality of the prints, longevity, and any problems 
> with the setup and use. Not sure if I will use cartridges or their 
> bulk feed system.
> 
> I live in the US near Chicago, so I have excellent supply houses in 
> easy reach
> 
> Thanks
> 
> PV