Digital BW, The Print

Hello Walt,

>In discussing these issues with a Cone 
>representative this morning, he informed me that the K3/VFA/USFA 
>figures I report are because Epson is using dyes in these inks.  I 
>don't think that's true and I hope that the Cone people can be a 
>little more constructive.

I also don't think there are dyes in K3 inks.  I've been doing
windowsill torture rests of various inks for several years now, and I
know what happens to inks containing dyes in just a short period. A K3
print has been on my windowsill (unprotected and with some direct
sunlight every day) for over a year now, and I can detect only the
barest hint of change in a middle gray area.  


>I think this Epson system pretty much needs ICC profiling for both 
>best results and an easy, reliable, consistent workflow image to
>image.  I know that Clayton and others do PS curves for this purpose, 
>but this seems like an ongoing hassle to me...The need to do this 
>(and to own a densitometer) is the weakness of the K3/ABW system in 
>my appraisal.

I just want to say that I don't consider it a hassle at all.  The PS
curves are very simple and quick, and once done they are saved with
the image and reused.  There is a great freedom in being able to
quickly try various papers and do experiments without having to use a
densitometer to make an icc curve for every ink/paper combination.  I
find this approach to be very simple and efficient.

I hope this won't become a debate.  I respect your views and
understand what you are saying re the need for icc profiles, and don't
really disagree - just that you and I are working with slightly
different perspectives and preferences.  I am responding to this only
to ensure that some reader who is new to all this might not get a
wrong impression that the non-icc workflow produces inferior results.
The results are top notch: excellent dmax, open shadows, luminous
highlights.  It's just a different preference for how one wishes to
work. 
  

4. I am struck at this point about the amount of apparently 
>reflexive prejudice against Epson materials and processes.  

Same here.  I find the Epson papers I use to be very fine, and the
inks are stable.  Withstanding a year on the windowsill with some
direct south Florida sunlight every day without fading or color
shifting is a remarkable feat, and Wilhelm rates K3/ABW from 110 -
300+ years, depending on conditions.  That's pretty impressive.


Regards,
Clayton


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