Digital BW, The Print

Hello Gilbert,

>I took the plunge yesterday and bought an R2400. As advertised, I 
>get neutral toned B&W out of the box. No more magenta & green casts 
>that I got from the R800 (which I still have). That's a BIG 
>improvement.  There also appears to be more detail, particularly 
>in shadows. 

Congratulations (it's sort of like having a baby <g>).


>1. Do you routinely use PK ink for B&W or have you settled on MK 
>instead?

I routinely use MK.  I got started on that originally because I
dislike the look/feel of RC type papers, and have since really fallen
in love with the totally reflection-less look.  Later when some better
glossy papers became available that were less RC-like but still with
the better dmax, I still stuck with matte papers because of the
reflections.  Now that the new Silver Rag is here (I tried a sample),
we're closer than ever to the silver ADFBG look and feel, and I'm
tempted.  However I still have mixed feelings because of the
reflections.  Am I willing to accept that to get the better dmax?  I
don't know yet.  It also has a mottled surface texture that I don't
care for.  Still, it's pretty nice stuff...  I have some more SR on
order and will do more testing.



>I don't recall 2400 users on this list switching inks often, 
>although if someone does, I'd certainly like to hear your 
>thoughts. 

It's relatively quick and easy, but it does induce a cleaning cycle
which can get expensive quickly.  That presents a problem for me
because even if I do use SR I probably won't abandon matte papers
totally - they are just too beautiful.  I'll probably use it for
selected images.  So at best I will have to plan my printing (if such
a thing is possible) so as to switch as infrequently as possible.

BTW, regarding cleaning cycles, I never turn the printer off because
it often does a cycle on power up.

BTW #2 - atlex.com has the best prices for carts I've seen so far.


>(I assume at some point I'm going to try BO in some printer but not
>right away.)

I've found that (aside from it's other well documented virtues), BO
printing on an inexpensive R200/220 is a great way to do proofing
during the initial workup of an image (I make K3 proofs when working
up a K3 final print).  These printers are normally available for under
$99, and I'm sure it's already paid for itself in ink savings alone.

Regards,
Clayton


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