Digital BW, The Print

"c.olivet" <christianolivet@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, I bought an R280 and loaded the mis 6 inkset (labeled MIS RCW).
> ... the mid tones are really muddy. I printed a 21 step wedge 
> with some prints and the 3 mid tones in the wedge are completely
> compressed into one tone. 

It could be that the dark grey inks are too light or the light grey ones too dark

> I can apply a curve in photoshop to increase contrast in the 
> mid tones but rather not do that.

It's important that you can actually do this.  If they are the same density, then you'll have a flat spot regardless of curve.

> The inks are in their proper slots and the nozzle check 
> seems to indicate that the ink cartridge order is fine. 

So, you can see that there are different densities, I assume.

> I am on imac G4 with photoshop cs (Old version)

The older PS version won't matter, but the  Imac could.  I work on a Windows platform.  So, it's possible the drivers are different.

I went back and checked my old graphs of the L ramps.  They are very good even with no ICCs or curves if the settings in my write-up at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/R260-BW-GS-Eps.pdf are used. 

On the other hand, my work was with a 260 and Windows setup.  There have been situations in the past when the Mac drivers did not match the Windows drivers when "color controls" were used.  There have also been some Mac drivers that were not the OEM drivers.  Drivers that ship with the OSs are often not the same as the OEM drivers that ship with the printers.  It's important to use the driver that comes with the printer.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com