Digital BW, The Print

Hello All,

I got the 2400 last year on August 11th, exactly one year ago.  Seems
like a good time for a summary, so I have gathered up some facts that
may be of interest.  I saved all my empty carts, so here is the ink
use for the year.  With the exception of a few small color
experiments, this is almost exclusively for ABW prints at neutral to
slightly warm settings.  These are in order of greatest use.  The
whole numbers represent the number of empty carts, the decimal number
is the % used in the current installed cart:

LLK---6.80
LM----4.00
LC----3.25
K-----2.75
LK----2.65
Y-----2.00
C-----1.90
M-----1.45
----------------
Total: 24.8 carts

Points of interest:
- LLK is the most used, at 27% of the total
- LM and LC together are 29%
- The top 3, LLK, LM and LC combined are 56% 
- Just the three blacks combined are 49%
- The top 5 inks, 3 Ks + LC and LM, are 78%
- The C, M and Y combined are 22%

So in rounded numbers, the ABW prints are about half blacks and half
colors.

Note: My few experiments with color printing were with an image that
had a lot of yellow.  I suspect that without those prints the Yellow
use would be less than the Cyan.  


Regarding longevity of these K3 inks, they have been in use for over a
year now, and the latest data from Wilhelm Research, at

       http://www.wilhelm-research.com/epson/R2400.html

on Page 3 of 9, rates BW prints (in ABW mode) as follows, depending on
the paper:

Framed under normal glass: 110 to >205 years
Framed under UV glass: 110 to >300 years
In dark album storage: > 200 years

I put a K3 print on my windowsill torture test (very bright daylight
with some direct sunlight every day) last September.  After 10 months
I began noticing a slight hint of fading in a smooth middle gray area.
 Now at 12 months it does not seem to have increased.


As for cost, this adds up to 24.8 carts, or 2.06 carts per month.  I
buy them from Atlex at $11.20 each + shipping, so apprx $25.00 per
month, or $300 for the year (actual cost was less if you subtract the
original 8 carts, but this is a good round number for the long view).

This may or may not sound like a lot of money, but even if it was
another hobby of some sort, $25 a month is not excessive (gasoline for
weekend birdwatching expeditions could easily be more than that).  So
the ink cost is a significant issue, but worth it for me as I am
extremely busy with my computer work most of the time and under a lot
of time pressure, so not having to fuss with filling carts is a
blessing right now.  And since I am selling prints I can report that
the printer has more than paid for itself.  

The bottom line is that this printer has been trouble free (no clogs
or jams during the entire year), is making very fine quality prints
and is paying for itself.  It's a joy to use and has made a huge
difference in my BW printing life.  It gives the freedom to just
concentrate on the photography.

Regards,
Clayton


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