Digital BW, The Print

Hi Group,

I've only had this Canon IPF5000 for a couple of weeks, but I have to
admit I'm getting more and more enthused about it. The Canon replaced
my last Epson 4000. I've had three 4000's.. all have been problematic
and the last one had the print head die in the middle of printing a
show and the unit was only 8 mo old !! That was the last straw, so OUT
with the Epson, IN with the Canon. So far it looks like a keeper. The
dot size is a little larger than the Epson 2400 K3 output when viewed
under magnification, so the prints have a little more visible
grain. The prints appear to reproduce the file very accurately
assuming color managed workflow and good profiles. Images have good
sharpness and snap.  The 16 bit Photoshop plug-in looks good (once you
find out it exists - Canon's documentation is clearly in need of
serious revision).

My bottom line impressions: 

Pros: 
- Very good color gamut. 
- Faster than epson 4800. 
- Archival pigments. 
- B&W is looking very good on glossy and satin (haven't gotten around
to testing matte/cotton papers yet), nice 21 step wedge, no
metamerism, etc. Very similar to K3 B&W output in neutrality and
flexible settings/tones.  Not sure what would be gained by a RIP, but
have to admit, I will miss using QTR (hopefully will be supported
eventually by Roy).
- Bronzing on Kirkland glossy seems to be somewhere between UC and K3
inksets (I'm using a 2400 for my K3 comparisons).  I don't find it
bothersome.
- No evidence of any banding issues. 
- Very good print quality, even with larger dot size. 
- 12 color inkset does appear to help blues and greens (wider gamut ?).
- Appears to be MORE IMMUNE TO NOZZLE CLOGS, etc. than Epson (a HUGE
plus for me in Santa Fe, NM with low humidity).
- Early reports suggest that ink costs long term are not any more than
Epson (possibly less, and a lot less at my location if nozzle clogging
is reduced).
- Rear slot paper feed is less hassle than Epson (once you know the
trick of disabling the "paper askew" check).
- Do NOT have to change black inks when switching between matte and
photo papers. 
- Capable of using true 12-bit color data from 16 bit files (with
plugin). 

Cons: 
- Roll paper adapter optional. 
- User interface and documentation needs work. 
- Canon support to pro community with these new printers is still
somewhat of an unknown.
- Inkset expensive initially, but long term probably NOT an issue.

I'm still in testing mode, but this new model looks like it will be a
keeper.  My printing stress levels have dropped dramatically as I'm
NOT having to worry about nozzle clogs, clearing air in the lines, and
wasting $$$ of pricey ink.  I do miss QTR, as I'm not that experienced
in the Canon B&W workflow yet, but I'm working on it.

Cheers,

Tony Bonanno