Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "lulalake_1999"
<lulalake_1999@y...> wrote:
...
> I've never messed with them but I see many densitometers on eBay from 
> 60 bucks on up. What's a "good" densitometer? What brands are 
> acceptable (I know, lots of opinions there)?
...

Jules,

I'm only familiar with a few Macbeth instruments, and my experience
with densitometers is mostly in cinematography and photography rather
than printing, so this is a bit biased. I'll only mention those that
can do visual reflection measurements, because I guess that is what
you are most interested in.

The TR924 is a good all-round photo densitometer. It has both
transmission and reflection heads. It has visual (Wratten 106 filter,
amber, to mimic the spectral response of the eye), Status A and Status
M RGB channels for transmission; and visual and Status A RGB for
reflection. Status A filters are glass spectral interference
(dichroic) filters for use with prints and transparencies intended for
viewing. Status M filters are used for negative and interpositive
materials. The TR524 and TR1224 are similar. The RD919 is the
reflection-only equivalent.

The RD918 is similar to the 919, but it has Status I narrowband RGB
filters instead of Status A, in addition to the visual. I'm afraid
that I have no knowledge of Status I densitometry, other than that it
is intended for use with inks.

Best,
Helen