Digital BW, The Print

> >>We clearly still need, as we have for a decade or more, 
> >>a good solid black. 
> >I totally agree. 
> Amen!  And I have hope we'll get there (or at least closer).  Just
> look how far we've come just since 2005 when K3 appeared, followed
> shortly by Silver Rag & others.  Look at the latest digital sensors
> (have you seen the D3X samples on dpreview? wooooooh!).  We've come a
> huge distance in a short time. This technology is not going to
> suddenly stand still.  The glass is more than half full.

I still remember looking at 2.0 dmax prints on Photo Rag with the Nanochrome black. Seeing matte prints with a 2.0 dmax was really something else, they are hands down the best looking prints I have ever seen on any media. It was like seeing deep into the image. No distracting reflections whatsoever, which made the dmax seem much higher than higher dmaxes on glossy papers.

I really wish that inkset hadn't turned out to be so unstable. I hope someday someone will figure out a way to create an archival matte black with that dmax.

I'm currently experimenting with glossy papers on my new 4800. I have to say I find the Ilford Gold Fibre Silk paper in particular very attractive. I'm going to stick with it for a while to see how I like working with glossy. I haven't yet decided which way to go.