Digital BW, The Print

Tom,

You wrote:

>...
>We certainly don't want this to turn into some kind of religious war
>over what is the best way to print BW. And we don't want to
>discourage open discussion,
>...here we are
>in a tiny corner of the world of photography...the only people in the
>world who really care about digital BW printing...and we're having a
>flame war over which of two methods is the best while the other 98%
>are worrying about color or wet darkrooms or what have you.

I concur.  In all the groups -- real and virtual -- I've been in, it is an
advantage to not react to every statement.  The common goals are better
served by making room for normal enthusiasm and biases toward one's own
views or organization.

I've had private communications with Jon (not in the past week, however),
and he and I understand each other quite well, I think.  There is no
conflict or bad blood as far as I can tell.  Of course, he doesn't like to
hear his products criticized, but his communications have always been very
business-like.

My loose affiliation with MIS has been rather productive, so I'm not willing
to do something that shuts that down.  However, it is fairly obvious that I
see Piezo software as a good (not perfect) product, and I think the FS inks
(another good, but not perfect product) with that software make a very nice
printing system.

On the other hand, having a free, competitive option is critical to this
little market niche.  Hopefully, the variable-tone option contributes to
that and, at the same time, expands what can be done with the inks.

There are, of course, other quad systems, and if/when Epson introduces 8-ink
(k, 2 grays, 5 colors), pigmented printers, the game will become much
tougher.  However, for right now, I think Piezo and MIS are the pigmented
quads/systems of choice.

The variable-tone option, however, is not a completely unrelated system.
The black inks are the same, and the cyan densities are the same.  The
systems are siblings that share a fair amount.  This makes the costs of, for
example, the FS neutral, rather minor since is it also the neutral for the
VM-sepia.  And I have an interest in both because I use both systems, and
wanted a neutral ink and a sepia option.

So, what we really have here is more like a family feud.  An occasional
emotional outburst or over-the-top statement is par for the course, and is
really not be a big deal.

I hope Bill is right that IJM is doing well.  They have made significant
contributions to the field, and I hope they continue to do so.

And if/when Epson introduces the 8-ink super printer, these third-party
suppliers might find they need to work together more closely to survive.
The Big Guy may not ignore the need for a long-lasting, neutral gray scale
for very long.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com