Digital BW, The Print

> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On 
> Behalf Of David Whistance wrote:
>
> The only "downside" is that you 
> need to choose
> which tone you want before you buy rather than before you 
> print.  I've used
> the Neutral and Split Tone inks so far with great results but am torn
> between them as to which is my favourite.

If you're comfortable creating your own profiles, it is possible to have
toning options using one set of Cone inks. I use the following:  K - Eboni;
Sepia - 2/4/6; Neutral 3/5/7. I use MIS Eboni because of it's excellent
Dmax. I can also use it for my colour prints. This configuration gives me
the following options. . .

K-S2-S4-S6 - Sepia

K-N3-N5-N7 - Neutral

K-S2-S4-S6-N7 - Sepia with netural highlights

K-S2-S4-N5-N7 - Sepia shadows moving to Neutral highlights, transitioning in
the midtones

Various tones between Sepia and Neutral, using QTR's blending capabilities

Various split-tone combinations of Sepia and Neutral (shadows, midtones &
highlights) using QTR's split tone capabilities. For example, 70% Sepia
shadows, 70% Sepia midtones, 100% Neutral highlights makes for very nice
portrait and landscape prints. Sepia by itself looks softer than Neutral
(even though the densities are the same). Blending some neutral into the
shadows/midtones give the more punch yet still retains the warmth of sepia.
Having neutral highlights make for nice skintones. When I use this
combination for landscape images I can get a really nice 3D effect.

I don't have problems with clogging, and I'm using a 2200. I'm very pleased
with this configuration. It's flexible, yet high quality (4 dilutions
minimum) and I don't have to worry about colour pigments (other than what is
in Sepia). Buying the Cone inks in bulk really brings the cost down.

All the best in sorting out your decision.

Terry.