Digital BW, The Print

>John M wrote:
>What you can see however is the bronzing is significantly better on 
>the 4800.  The gloss differential is also significantly better, but 
>you can still see it in areas where distinctly outlined patches 
>without ink are, such as the sunset image and white coffee cup.  In 
>the gradient strips you can see that a surprisingly small amount of 
>ink density reduces the gloss differential significantly.>

The test prints from Inkjetart were made on the Epson 4000 and Epson 
4800 using the epson supplied icc profiles both at 2880 dpi. I agree 
with your analysis about the significantly reduced bronzing and reduced 
gloss differential on Epson Premium Luster printed with the 4800. There 
is still some remaining gloss differential at the lightest image tones. 
I would also like to add that in the RGB print mode (NOt the advanced 
BW mode) the grayscale ramp on the 4800 still has obvious color 
transitions although they are significantly reduced from the 4000.

The dot structure on the 4800 is significantly better than the 4000. (I 
don't know how to specify this scientifically but it is Night and day 
better on the 4800.) This is true for both the color and the BW images. 
Looking at light tones in BW with a 7x loop the dot structure (dither) 
of the 4000 is plainly obvious (if not objectionable!). Not only is the 
dither pattern very obvious but you can also very easily see colored 
inks that accentuate the dot pattern that is being laid down. This 
leads to a "fuzziness" and loss of detailed structure and sharpness in 
the image. But on the 4800 the dot pattern APPEARS TO BE MUCH MORE 
FINE. In addition, it is much more difficult to see the colored inks. 
In fact, I missed them on the first pass and only noticed them when 
someone else in another post today mentioned the colored inks on a 2400 
print. As a result of the fine its fine dot structure, the 4800 print 
has a much smoother appearance with better sharpness when viewed 
through a 7x loop. With less magnification I can't see dots on 4800 
prints at all. Remember, that I am referring to a BW image printed with 
the RGB all ink Epson profile.

I was disappointed in the profiles Inkjetart chose to use but perhaps 
it is a fair comparison to use epson profiles on each printer. I should 
add for anyone interested that it is possible to get test prints made 
of your own images from Epson. I clicked on the "Where to Buy" link on 
the Epson website to find my local dealer. I called them and they 
agreed to email my image file to Epson to have a custom file printed. I 
asked for several prints using different toning options in the advanced 
BW mode and Epson graciously agreed to make me the prints. I was told 
it would take a week so I await the mailman.