Digital BW, The Print

Walt,

Thanks for your input.  My only resistance has been that VFA is not available larger than 
13x19, and I had hoped to offer one paper through all sizes.  Perhaps I'll just have to use 
it when I can.

I somehow had missed that USFA sheets are double sided.  I'll get a box and try it out.  

Thanks!

Best.

Josh


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "wwodets" <odets@c...> wrote:
>
> Josh-
> 
> VFA is a considerably whiter and cooler paper than USFA.  The VFA 
> contains OBAs.  I have never compared the two with the same driver 
> paper setting because I just use the "correct" setting in the 
> driver.  I do, however, print USFA routinely at -12 -16 in the 
> driver, which makes the ink color more neutral.  Without this 
> adjustment to tone (and with the "correct") paper settings, the USFA 
> print in considerably warmer.  With the color adjustment I use, the 
> USFA is actually more neutral.  Relatively, the VFA inks look 
> creamier.
> 
> On the dmax figures you give, this is all relative to the Innova 
> paper.  So I'd have to call it a paper/ink test, not an ink test.  
> With the K3 inks, the VFA has consistently measured in the 1.75 to 
> 1.77 range, the USFA 1.64 to 1.66 (the color adjustments reduce the 
> dmax slightly).  Both of these figures better your K7/Innova/1.64, 
> the USFA by a hair and probably not meaningfully (I think .3 or .4 is 
> about what I can actually see as a significant difference on the 
> paper).  The K3/VFA seems to be in a class by itself for a matte 
> paper and you can *see* it.
> 
> Inks and matte papers are highly interactive.  As a matter of 
> practice, I think we have to settle on an ink and find the paper for 
> it, or settle on a paper and find the ink for it.  We can't really 
> endorse these two materials separately, at least not with matte 
> papers.  And we cannot draw conclusions about an ink by testing it on 
> one paper (or about one paper by testing it with one ink).
> 
> For someone interested in a smooth-surfaced, OBA free heavy cotton 
> paper, I'd at least look at the USFA.  I've found it quite remarkable 
> on the balance (over a few hundred prints) and the quality control 
> and packaging are truly excellent.  It is also coated two sides.  I 
> think the quality control and dual coating more or less ofset its 
> high cost. 
> 
> Walt 
> 
> 
> 
>