Digital BW, The Print

Hello Stephane,

I agree with your observations, but would put different emphasis on them.

>I found ABW to be unreliable, 

Actually I find it very reliable.  It definitely has the quirks you
mention, but they are consistent.  It took me a while, but once I got
it figured out I found I can work with it very efficiently.  I waste
very little paper, many times nailing it first try.


>...sometimes with differing tints for highlight, mid-range and shadows. 

Yes, definitely it's greatest shortcoming.  But as I mentioned in my
article, I've found certain settings for each paper where things
harmonize very nicely.  You just have to do some testing and find the
sweet spots.


>In a word, an improvement over previous situation 

A huge improvement, and hopefully not the last.  It's not perfect, but
is very very good and very workable with a bit of patience and some
testing (like any system).  I fully expect Epson will improve on it,
especially with the competition heating up.


>...but not what a dedicated B&W photographer looks for. 

Just depends on what one is willing to put up with.  I'd rather deal
with it's quirks than use a RIP with the requisite curves and
profiling, or use Cone inks which eliminates variable tone and
requires a CIS to keep the cost down.   I too am getting gorgeous
prints, and find it to be efficient and reliable.   Once I got my
testing done and got things figured out it was Katy Bar The Door. 
Nowadays I just make prints and concentrate on the photography. 
Printer concerns are nearly nonexistent.

Regards,
Clayton


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