Digital BW, The Print

The ABW and RGB-icc workflows do produce similar looking prints, but there are some 
subtle differences.  Looking at paired prints on premium glossy in both halogen or 
incandescent and then daylight I can see some slight metamerism in the form of a faint 
magenta cast in the midtone grays in the RGB print - also a little magenta/green 
crossover.  Measured dmax is also higher for the ABW print (2.47) vs the RGB-icc print 
(2.28).  Neutrality is slightly better with the ABW print as well (see data in linked file below) 
and just looking at the two side by side suggests a slightly more bluish hue overall in the 
RGB print.  All of these difference are subtle and not significant unless you are looking at 
side by side prints generated from both methods.
http://homepage.mac.com/scho/abwrgb.jpg

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "wwodets" <odets@c...> wrote:
> I'm wondering about the use of the ABW Mode and what advantages it 
> provides over a regular ICM flow using the supplied Epson paper 
> profiles or custom profiles.  The latter, of course, allows a soft 
> proof mode in PS, which the ABW (to my knowledge) does not.   I realize 
> that the ABW mode allows toning, but other than that does it offer 
> something?  I had understood earlier on that ABW provided special 
> dithering and a minimal use of color inks.  I have printed both ways 
> (but only on matte papers with MK), however, and I can see no 
> difference in dithering, ink usage or appearance of the prints.  I have 
> examined the prints by eye and with a 7-35X zoom microscope and I 
> believe they are identical, the ICM prints very closely matching the 
> ABW "Neutral/Normal" (not "Neutral/Darker") prints.  Both work flows 
> are providing excellent prints, but ICM system provides a better screen 
> preview.  
> 
> Any comments or thoughts on this would be *much* appreciated.
> 
> Walt