Digital BW, The Print

Hello Jason,

>In answer to your questions, I think at most 11x14 prints, that's as 
>large as I blow up 35mm

Ok, you'll need a 13" printer.  My recommendation right now is to get
an Epson.  IMO they still offer the greatest versatility (can use a
wide variety of inks plus availability of support products such as
refillable carts).  

>In terms of technical, I'd like to get some decent results as soon 
>as I can but be able to tweak the process as my skill/confidence 
>with this new medium increases.  

Based on this I recommend the 2400.  It's ABW system is essentially a
simplified built in RIP and produces extremely fine BW prints
out-of-the-box.  Using the simple workflow (described in article #9 at
the link below), you will right away get very fine results with very
little fuss.  The 2400 is also very versatile.  Any time you are
ready, it will allow you to experiment with other approaches,
including RIPs (with profiles, curves, densitometers, etc) and a good
selection of other inks.

>As for glossy or matte prints, I've always used graded fibre based 
>papers air dried in the rack. I found RC too glossy and matte papers 
>a little flat (I'm not sure that helps). 

Another reason for recommending the 2400.  There are three general
paper types available now: glossy, matte, and the newer "silver rag"
type papers which are the closest to the ADFBG look.  It sounds like
this is where you'll head.  These papers require the PK black ink, and
the 2400's K3 inks look great on them (very little, if any, bronzing
and gloss differential).  Many of the other inks, which you'd be
required to use with the other models, don't work as well, if at all,
on these papers.


>...and they would be strictly B+W. 

The 2400 will run fine with the various dedicated grayscale ink sets
(requires a RIP) should you decide to go that route.  With the K3 inks
you can do color printing as well as BW.


I hope this helps.  The 2400 and the larger K3 models have radically
changed the BW printing scene.  It has never been easier to get
started from scratch and get gallery quality reaults with a minimal
amount of effort, tears, and frustration.  It's expensive, but IMO is
a great investment.

Regards,
Clayton


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