Digital BW, The Print

I'll check into QTR and other similar, too. Once we replace the 2200 
with a 2400 or 4000 or newer.  I will be using a c86 with the MIS ez 
inkset it looks like to do a new line of notecards and small archival 
prints of infrared images on EAM and Polar Matte from Red River 
running off my laptop.  Any larger prints will be off the 2200.

Thanks for all you help.  I appreciate it.  Mike

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "richard_h95050" 
<richardh@j...> wrote:
> Hi Mike,
> 
> I know you said "discouraging words" in jest, but I really want to 
> emphasize that my suggestions were sincerely encouraging you to 
move 
> in a direction that wouldn't leave you discouraged with digital B&W 
> printing due to lack of support for the Photo EX ;>)
> 
> That said, there are lots of people printing on older equipment, 
I'm 
> sure -- so it just depends on how much energy you want to invest on 
> your own in getting a relatively unsupported printer working and 
> producing prints that meet your expectations.
> 
> The difference in the level of response you'll receive when posting 
a 
> question on the forum about a problem you're having getting good 
> results with an Epson 1280 (just as an example) versus an Epson 
Photo 
> EX is likely to be substantial -- only because so few people 
> currently have experience doing quad printing with the Photo EX.
> 
> Combine that with the fact that there are very few published 
curves, 
> profiles or RIPs (like QTR or IJC/OPM) that support that printer 
> along with available inkset limitations (Paul could better respond 
to 
> this, but I'm not sure the latest MIS inks and curves are even 
being 
> produced for the Photo EX) -- anyway, it just seems like an 
> invitation to getting frustrated and discouraged in itself ;>)
> 
> Since you're not already invested in a quad system for the Photo 
EX, 
> it would be a better path to put that money into supplies (carts or 
> inks and a CIS) for a current model. In the end, unless you're 
buying 
> into the Epson Pro Line printers, we spend much more on inks and 
> media than that one-time "bite" of purchasing the printer itself. 
> 
> You can get completely set up with a C86 and MIS inks for about a 
> hundred dollars -- or if you are comfortable going onto eBay to 
make 
> a purchase, you can pick up a larger printer at very reasonable 
cost.
> Then you have all the generous resources of Paul's curves, MIS 
> support as well as all the other fine people of this forum who will 
> be using the same printer and inksets and can help you through the 
> initial learning curve of getting good digital B&W output. Make 
sense?
> 
> Of course, once you're able to produce prints that you like and 
> you're feeling confident with how to fine-tune the workflow, you 
can 
> always go back and play with the Photo EX -- or, you can use it as 
> you suggested for color work, text output or printing documents, 
> correspondence and such. No need to toss it ;>)
> 
> Anyway, that's my two cents and probably more than you asked for. 
> BTW, since you mentioned you do "archival rag color prints" 
already, 
> are you using an Epson Ultrachrome printer for that? If so, take a 
> look at QTR -- it does a very nice job with digital B&W output for 
> less than the cost of a set of quad inks for any Epson printer...
> 
> Cheers!
> Richard
> 
>  
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "mbrouphy" 
> <mbrouphy@y...> wrote:
> > Richard,
> > Thanks for the discouraging words...<LOL> It's just I hate to 
throw 
> > out equipment especially if there's still life in them there 
bones.
> > 
> > So, I guess I could use it for small prints that are non-archival 
> > color prints that are destined to be less expensive alternatives 
to 
> > the archival rag color prints I do.  There is the possibility of 
> > using the MIS Quad inksets they have available for the EX.
> > 
> > Any thoughts? I appreciate your assistance...Mike
> > 
> > --- In 
> DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "richard_h95050" 
> > <richardh@j...> wrote:
> > > Mike,
> > > 
> > > Yes, the Photo EX is a good old workhorse (I think I've still 
got 
> > one 
> > > kicking around here) -- but the operative term is "old". It's a 
> > > bit "long of tooth" when it comes to the rapidly evolving area 
of 
> > > digital B&W printing...
> > > 
> > > Black only is really designed for the newer printers like the 
> 2200 
> > or 
> > > the 1280 and takes advantage of their advanced printhead 
> technology.
> > > The same holds true for most of the current B&W printing 
> > techniques --
> > > that is, they offer greater support for the newer printers and 
> very
> > > limited support for older models like the Photo EX.
> > > 
> > > Given the low cost of entry to pick up a good new or used 
current
> > > model Epson, it would be worth your while to consider doing 
that. 
> > The 
> > > most compelling reason for that suggestion is the tremendous 
> amount 
> > > of support (ink choices, profiles, curves, RIPs, etc.) that are
> > > available for them and lacking for the Photo EX.
> > > 
> > > If you're serious about wanting to explore digital B&W, it 
would 
> be 
> > > much easier to be working with the printers and inksets that 
you 
> > see 
> > > discussed on this (and similar) forums. Otherwise, you will be 
> > having 
> > > to do a lot of unnecessary experimentation on your own, and 
that's
> > > time better spent making prints on a well-supported platform ;>)
> > > 
> > > No need to throw away the trusty Photo EX, though -- there's 
> always 
> > > other tasks you can dedicate it to...
> > > 
> > > Hope this is helpful.
> > > 
> > > Richard 
> > > 
> > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "mbrouphy" 
> > > <mbrouphy@y...> wrote:
> > > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Douglas
> > > meeuwsen 
> > > > <lipshurt@m...> wrote:
> > > > Doug,
> > > > Hmmm...I didn't get that impression from reading quite a bit 
of
> > > info 
> > > > on the group about the c86 and Eboni.  However, if the full EZ
> > > system 
> > > > works well, then I can go with that.  My first choice would 
have
> > > been 
> > > > to work out black only printing on a Photo EX.  It's a great
> > > printer 
> > > > and I'd hate to see it hit the rubbish pile! Any experience 
or 
> > > > knowledge on this one, Doug.
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Mike