Digital BW, The Print

Hello Brian,

>>"With the K3 inks that I use, the VFA is the standout for dmax both
>>visually and by measurement.  The VFA not only shows a much better
>>dmax with the K3's than the EEM (roughly 1.79 vs. 1.70. . . "
 
>That's a difference of less than a third of a stop. Does it really 
>look "much better?" 
>...I'm just surprised that 
>such a small measured difference would be so visible.

I don't have a densitometer so I can't speak to the numbers, but I can
see the difference in side by side prints.  Whether or not that
difference qualifies as "much better", or is worth changing paper or
ink to obtain, is up to the viewer.  The only way you can answer those
questions for yourself is to view some prints.

For me the difference is significant because matte papers are
genenerally lower in dmax to begin with (compared to PK papers), so
every little bit helps.  However, dmax isn't everything.  An image
will sometimes look better on another paper, even though the dmax is
lower, and I'll use that.  So it really boils down to your own
aesthetic judgement.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm