Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark"
<paul.roark@...> wrote:
>
> 
> 
> > ... There seems to be a preference toward MIS over 
> > Cones B&W inksets. Could someone fill me in on the reason? ...
> 
> I was reluctant to respond to this.

Me too, but no one else seems to have expressed a perspective similar
to mine, so...
I use Cone inks and have for some time. I also will be doing my
workshop first with Cone next week. I think it's fair top assume most
people familiar with me on the lists associate me with Cone. However
that is only loose affiliation, I have a long time admiration for
Jon's contributions to digital printing and like the products. He
knows though, as well as others that know me, I would switch to
something else in a heartbeat if the prints were more beautiful. I've
used Cone, MIS, Lyson, all kinds of inks over the years, I'm unfaithful.

This list started as a place for people to talk non-Cone B&W
specifically, as there was no other forum. For a long time Cone users
felt a bit persecuted here and went away. Also, Cone's products (I'm
trying to say this and stay objective) have evolved to the point that
they just work. There is very little list activity anywhere. I'm in
regular contact with other users, they are not on these lists. They
are printing. You do, of course, hear the occasional horror story, as
with any product.

I had many experiences that made me leave the other manufacturers
behind, they were definitive. I have not posted anything negative
about anyone's ink in a long time, except perhaps Lyson's mono
inksets. I'm just not going to do that any more unless I find a
product is truly a rip off.

Fortunately there is more delineation between these two company's
products now, and I really think the competition is very healthy.
I would strongly advise people to learn as much about the unique
qualities of the products, and if at all possible get sample prints
from users at the least. You need to find which is most applicable to
your needs. The lists are no longer indicative of anything other than
the opinions of a specific group of people who happened to congregate
for unique reasons. Their nature has evolved dramatically since I
wandered into the old leben list years ago without a clue.

There is no "best", only a best for you, and that could be temporary.
Tyler
www.custom-digital.com