Digital BW, The Print

> From: Paul Roark <paul.roark@...>


> I'm reminded of the debate with respect to how much "sharpness" the eye can
> detect.  While most find that humans can separate only about 5 line pairs
> per millimeter at normal viewing distance, the consensus is that we can
> detect edge sharpness increases up to at least the equivalent to 30 lp/mm,
> with some claims going up to 100 lp/mm.
> 
> So, I think there may be an argument that color dots have some sort of
> impact beyond what can actually be "seen" as individual dots.

An interesting thing to test, although it is likely very difficult to get a
perfect hue match that would make the test appropriate.


> 
>> ... I am sure this would make
>> interesting fodder for those who scientifically study colour and human
>> vision.  I am sure that such people could construct some appropriate
>> rigorous tests.
> 
> Probably, but in a simple double-blind test that included BO, I'll bet the
> BO aficionados would prefer BO every time.

Oh I agree completely with you here.  I meant a blind test of a greyscale
made with pre-mixed ink vs dots of colour ink. Black Only is very different
in its construction and look from either "dot-mixed" or "pre-mixed"
greyscale (for want of better labels).  I would describe it as extremely
"coarse" when viewed alongside one of the latter.  I would not describe the
look in terms of "luminance".  You either like it (with respect to an
individual image) or you don't - I don't care which.  The question is
whether one should promote it on the basis that, unlike Black Only,
coloration is VISIBLE in the alternatives.