Digital BW, The Print

kipduff wrote:
> Thanks for response- never heard of Sihl- want to get some and try. 
> Since I don't have a Z3100, I'll try on the 4800- not sure whether to
> use matt or photo black ink cart (matt installed now).  It sounds like
> you're saying the Epson can't achieve this look because no gloss
> enhancer or use of both blacks.  How is metamerism when doing warm
> tones with the Z3100?  I think I'm getting some with the Epson.  Your
> website very interesting.  Thanks......   

On the Epson R1800 there's gloss enhancer so it should be
possible on that printer too.
There's no metamerism to speak off in either B&W or color
prints from the Z3100.
The Dmax on matte papers is better than that of the K3 inks.

The smaller cartridge size mentioned is an optical
illusion. 12 x 130 ML and a much more efficient use of inks
in the Z3100 can be easily compared to the 8 x 220 ML in the
Epson 9800-9880 models. With irregular printing needs big
carts are not an advantage either and the ML price (30
Eurocents excl VAT) in the twin 130 ML packs is the same as
Epson's 220ML cart. There's a pump in each Z3100 cart that
mixes the ink thoroughly before it enters the ink tube so 
pigment settling is no issue.

The new Epson 9900 and 7900 that I have seen on the Drupa
with and without the optional spectrometer will be an extra
category for Epson as I understand it. Pricing accordingly.
In the first place designed for proofing in the graphic arts
world. With the spectrometer the rumored price is around
8.5K dollar. A Z3100 with a spectrometer is way lower in
price.  On the 9900 PK and MK have each a channel to the
black head but a switch is still needed as the head is
shared and some ink will be lost like on the 3800. The 9880
and 7880 will stay in the catalog and they have the full
channel switch which is wasting more ink. The Epson
spectrometer has better specs (Fogra, with and without UV
filter) that suit the proofing task excellent but the Z3100
spectrometer is working perfectly for me in art and
photography printing. I bought the optional Advanced
Profiling Solution to get improved results from the
spectrometer though.

Epsons policy on replacing heads is now even more 
restricting than it was before as the distributors no longer 
are allowed to sell directly to users. The Canon and HP 
models have heads that can be easily replaced by the user. 
That doesn't mean they do not last long. Mine are 15 months 
old and not a single one had to be replaced.

-- 
Met vriendelijke groeten,  Ernst


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