Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:

Paul,

As I said earlier, the VFA texture does not seem to interfere with 
detail unless the lighting on the print is at an acute angle.  But 
that was true with matte silver papers too, even worse.  Perhaps the 
physical feel of the paper is an issue, but most people seem to find 
that the texture bespeaks a better paper.  I like the physical feel 
of a smooth paper.  The other downside of the VFA is the OBAs (which 
are fairly high I think), but I don't know how seriously to take 
that.  Certainly the Wilhelm figures substantially favor the USFA 
over the VFA.

On the ICC profiles, I was talking about variations in the raw 
numbers read off the paper.  Given a set of raw numbers, I don't see 
inconsistencies in the output of the profiles.  The program will, 
however, produce erroneous (and unusable) profiles unless there is a 
linear progression in the shadows.  Any two adjacent same readings or 
reversals in the progression will not produce a usable profile.  On 
the 2400 this made HPR unusable with Create ICC (slight reversals), 
but the 4800 has corrected that.

Best,
Walt

>
> Walt,
> 
> > ... The VFA reliably measures ... 1.75 ...
> 
> I like a smooth surface, but I'll definitely be giving VFA a try.
> 
> > I also notice that the USFA is by far the most difficult to 
reliably
> > profile for ICC profiles with the i1.  I've been doing several 
readings
> > and then averaging them.  I am a bit puzzled by this.  Is the
> > i1 "expecting" OBAs?
> 
> I doubt it is expecting OBAs, but I don't know.
> 
> I've been playing with Roy's "Create ICC" (which I may use with the 
R220 EZ
> system as a first test).  I'm not sure if what I'm seeing is 
similar to what
> you're describing, but I've noticed that the ICC outputs are 
affected by the
> character of the input file.  I'm using an X-Rite and manually 
inputting
> only 21 steps.  There seem to be a lot of variables that can affect 
these
> things.  
> 
> One factor appears to be the extent of contrast in the input file's 
shadows.
> It may be that low input contrast, noise and other factors result 
in some
> output inconsistencies.  
> 
> I'm not that far down the learning curve yet, but from what I see, 
a system
> will benefit from having enough manual controls that one can tweak 
the input
> and output characteristics in addition to having the ICC.  With the 
ICC in
> the "Print with Preview" workflow (now integrated into the 
standard "Print"
> workflow of Elements 4), I'll be using the Epson driver and keeping 
the
> Color Controls activated to help deal with some of these problems.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>