Digital BW, The Print

Thanks for the report John.  I'll look forward to trying the new  
Innova semigloss FB paper.  I also want to get hold of some of the  
new Ilford/Harman baryta paper when it is released.  I guess only the  
matte version is compatible with pigment inks.

Carl

On Nov 5, 2006, at 8:26 PM, john dean wrote:

> Innova has released a new fiber semi-gloss paper that I like. It is
> similar to the Innova F Gloss but the texture is a bit closer to the
> Epson Semi-Gloss, only in a non plastic fiber paper. I liked the
> samples in black and white that Jimmy at Shades Of Paper showed us
> that were done on the new Cannon machine. This new paper isn't on his
> web site yet but will be available, if not immediately, very soon.
>
> The problem I have with the Fiber Gloss prints as they stand now is
> that the texture looks a little mechnical to me when the prints are
> smaller than 16x20 or so. I didn't get that feeling with these smaller
> prints on that semi gloss fiber paper. I really want to try working
> with it. It is a PK paper with Epson printers.
>
> Besides that paper, the HP Z series printers really kick butt in black
> and white more than I expected, if you consider what all they can do
> with ultra permanent color and no gloss problems of any kind to deal
> with. As in the new inksets from Canon and Epson, the greens and blues
> are more subtle and provide an expanded gamut there that I really
> like. The HP machines utilize both the photo black, the matte black,
> and two lighter blacks so your really talking quad inks within the
> color set and they are very smooth with excellent dmax. They've got it
> together.
>
> The Cannon monochrome prints from the big printers are nice too, even
> on gloss media providing a pretty smooth finish, though not as smooth
> as I saw with the HP printers and the internal glop channel.
>
> The new Epson 3800 seems awesome for everything monochrome too
> considering its technology and price point. They should do very well.
> Like the HP and Canon, the blues and greens it is producing are a step
> up from K3 Ultrachrome for sure. It's noticeable. Too bad it will be
> another couple of years before that inkset is available on the big
> machines. That's gonna hurt em. It's nice to have real choices out
> there now.
>
> John