Digital BW, The Print

> The k7 black does not have an outstanding dmax, ...
> Some values I've measured with the 4000 are:   Hahnemuhle Photo 
> Rag Bright White 1.63, Hahnemuhle White Velvet 1.61, and 
> Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 1.63 ...

Aside from the low dmax, what is the tone of the black -- that is, the full
RGB and Lab readings? 

If the dmax on PhotoRag is that low, I wonder what UltraSmooth/PremierArt
looks like? 

Where the black affects the rest of the image most is from 90% to 100%.  The
cross-over from neutral (or cool) to warm in that range has been a tough
problem to deal with and still have a good dmax.  Luckily, the eye is not
that sensitive to small tone changes in the deep shadows.

My attempts to cool matte blacks with cyan have resulted in what I consider
substandard dmax figures.  Actually, one attraction of the k3 approach to me
is that with a rip I can pour in cyan in the deep shadows and do the best
job yet of reducing the cross-over.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com