Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "AdventureCam 
Photo" <email@...> wrote:
>
> Joost,
> 
> If you're considering a color management system, I would seriously 
recommend
> that you take a look at the X-Rite Pulse with the OPTIX colorimeter.  
It's
> half the price of the Gretag system, and it includes everything you 
need to
> make your own profiles.  Also keep in mind that X-Rite recently bought
> Gretag.  Gretag announced that they will support their products for 
another
> 7 years, but the developments will probably concentrate on X-Rite 
products.

I think I would worry more about the Pulse going away than I would the 
i1 spectro going away. I see many of the products merging in the near 
future, but I won't speculate (since I don't have any concrete leads).

That said I have a Pulse + Optix system, and it is very good (highly 
recommended). The i1 Photo is also highly recommended. Heidelberg 
Prinect Profile Toolbox with the correct hardware would also be 
recommended.

***DO NOT buy the i1 Design!!!!! Yes it is cheaper, but I wouldn't 
claim that it really works (yes I also own that product too).***

The big thing is that color managment for B/W hasn't come as far as CM 
for color has, so having an identical workflow for both color and B/W 
may be more difficult (and expensive) depending on how you look at it, 
and what you want to do.