Digital BW, The Print

Hi Chris,

>... Right now they will pay me to buy a 260 ($60
>minus $75 rebate) and the 380 will cost about $35. 

There is some fine print in the rebates, etc., but they are cheap now, no
question.

>1. Are they compatible with MIS inks? 
>They're not listed on the MIS site, but ...

I have tested 2 260s.  They changed the firmware between the models, and
that wiped out the chip compatibility.  MIS now thinks it has chips that
work in both firmware versions.

The MIS supplier claims the pigments MIS sells as "K4" work in the 260.  MIS
will send me a set for testing.  I have Eboni in the 260 now.  The good news
is that a straight BO with a rip should make a nice entry-level, very
archival printer.  The bad news is that the 1.5 pl drop of the 260 is not as
smooth as that from the 1800.  However, I suspect many will find it's just
fine.  Also, the 3-MK approach that gets rid of the microbanding of the 1800
does not make enough of a net improvement in the 260 to be worth the
trouble.  The BO + color or BO plus UT-R2 midtones is currently my best
guess as to what B&W capable platform will be supported.

As of this moment, however, it's not ready to go -- QTR does not yet support
it, and I have not thoroughly tested the inks.  So far, however, it appears
that MIS pigments are compatible with the 260.

>2. Do these printers have the same problem feeding thick art papers 
>as the 220 and 800? 

I just fed a Premier Art 325 through the 260 several times with no trouble
at all, but that's just one sample.  So, no guarantees.

>3. What about these Claria inks? I know they're dye-based, 
>but Epson claims they are fade resistant and last up to 200 
>years. Perhaps I don't need the MIS inks?

They do sound good.  In the initial color snapshots I've done using the
built in profile for EEM (Premium Presentation Matte) I was not impressed.
The 1800 with MIS color pigs and the built in profile for UltraSmooth prints
a much nicer image on Premier Art Smooth.  It may be that a different paper
or better profiles would make a major difference.

I currently have Eboni in the printer along with the Claria inks.  Given the
positive things I've heard about them I thought it might make a good
combination.  After seeing the snapshots, I'm not so sure I'd bother with
Claria at all, but it's still early.

If MIS k4 pigs run in the 260, they'll be vastly cheaper.  I'm appalled at
how quickly the Epson carts are emptying.  I suspect they ship with the
smaller carts, but I think that strategy is going to come back to haunt
them.  Their customers will find out real fast how much the printers are
really going to cost.  Epson's web page has prices of just under $20 per
cart.

Overall, I think the 260 + MIS pigments or R2 midtone grays may be an
excellent bargain, but it's a bit early to be sure.  Epson is targeting the
scrap booking market with its 1400.  I'm real interested in challenging them
there.  I think a 1400 with MIS pigs and Eboni will do well.  However, from
what I have seen, the 1800 is capable of better printing.

Hope this helps.  Note that everything is still in beta form now.  Whether
MIS can reliably support the 260 is still an open question for me.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com