Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark"
<paul.roark@...> wrote:

> The 3MK is smoother in the highlights, and the C86 is smoother at
50%.  At a
> reception with a half dozen excellent B&W darkroom printers, none of
them
> noticed the "grain."  Now these were old darkroom types that are
accustomed
> to film grain, so they may have seen it and just assumed it was the
usual
> film grain -- very fine grained at that.
> 
> Did you see the comparison with the film grain at
> http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Grain.pdf?  There is, for sure, a
bit of an
> apples to oranges comparison problem there, but it might give you a
sense of
> why these darkroom workers didn't mention or even seem to notice the
grain
> at all.  Those on this list will definitely be able to see the
midtone grain
> in test strips.  I doubt anyone not looking for it will find it
> objectionable in an actual photo.
> 
> Hope this helps.  Let me know if you have more questions. 

Thanks, Paul. I hadn't seen the grain comparisons before (the link
wasn't working for me a week or two ago, but it does now). 

The comparison is actually very helpful. Most of my B&W is
film-captured, 35mm at that, so I like grain and don't object to the
printing technology itself adding a subtle amount of grain beyond the
film grain itself. Looks like I'll be more than happy with the results.

One last question: If I plan to rotate carts to maximize head life, I
assume I'll need two complete sets of carts and chips (one for Eboni,
one for cleaning fluid)?

Thanks again,
Mitch