Digital BW, The Print

Hello David,

>I currently have a 1290 on a continuous flow system with MIS (UT2
>ink) installed and at the moment I am quite happy with it, however 
>I was wondering whether I would see significant improvements 
>upgrading to the 2400. Obviously the 2400 will be quicker and fine 
>detail will be slightly better I presume, but in terms of tonality 
>and dmax is the 2400 with K3 inks that much better than the set-up 
>I have. 

I think the main diference in the prints will be in the general look,
because it is made with color inks rather than toned grayscale inks. 
There will probably be some things you like better and some you don't.
The three grays do produce beautifully smooth tonal gradation.

Still unanswered is the longevity question for K3 prints.  It is
pretty much a given that the color ink dot approach is not as
lightfast as toned grayscale inks, but the K3 inks are also much
improved over UC in that regard.  So it's more a question of whether
they are long lived enough to satisfy your requirements.  Also, some
people use a RIP to eliminate the Y ink (but then you give up the ease
and versatility of ABW).

Dmax is similar with both inks on matte papers, with slight advantage
shifting between them depending on the paper (K3 wins with VFA, UT2
wins with PR).  

The K3 inks have a big advantage if you use the PK ink, especially on
the newly emerging ADFBG-looking glossy papers.  They seem to be made
for these newer inks and show less gloss differential, etc.  You
pretty much need K3 for these papers.

In terms of use, the ABW system gives us a very wide and easy to use
control over color tone.  This ease and control, in combination with
the new papers, I believe is going to have a major impact this year.

So the 2400 to me represents more than just a slight difference in
approach.  I see it as more of an entry ticket into a whole new era of
BW printing technology.

Regards,
Clayton


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