Digital BW, The Print

"Tyler Boley" <tyler@...> wrote:
>
> Good article, but ... I'd conclude then that these surfaces are evovling by the batch.

> Tyler
> 
Tyler is right on.  I wrote to Innova about variations in surface reflectance between 8.5x11 
x 17x22 sizes with same batch date, & got this reply: 

        "The fiber papers used to produce our F-type have a surface
tolerance that varies slightly from batch to batch. Unlike resin
coated(RC) papers there is no 'plastic" coating to provide an
ultrasmoothcoating base for the inkjet receptive layer.

        "We have tightened the tolerances to make up for the issues you
have raised. Current and subsequent production is consistently
smooth as the 8.5x11" materials you received."

So the surface is indeed "evolving by the batch," & that's a reason for optimism.  

On the other hand, several fine-art photographers took a look at sample prints on Innova 
F-Type (both BW & color, & both K3 & regular Ultrachrome inks) at a recent gathering of 
the Bay Area Photographers Collective.  We weren't exactly overwhelmed.  While everyone 
appreciated the richer blacks, nobody preferred the surface texture over their current 
matte or luster paper choices.

Kirk