Digital BW, The Print

Thanks Eric,

My 70% densitometer reading on the Harman Crystaljet is 2.34.  My readings for Epson Ultra Premium Luster are 100% - 2.53, 70% - 2.2, and at 60% - 2.05.

On the Epson Luster I'd say the the 60% ink square visually looks as dark as the 100% ink square.  Basically the same as the Crystaljet paper.

So if an ink density of around 2.1 or 2.2 is an "acceptable black" to the eye, Why do we need to push for higher Dmax ink/papers (speaking of luster/semi-gloss, etc papers)?

Terry

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "E.Neilsen" <e.neilsen2@...> wrote:
>
> Terry, When printing out to 100%, you are trying to determine just how much
> ink can go down on a piece of paper. Since the dmax doesn't change with more
> ink, you stop using the ink. Why, too much can allow bleeding that causes
> images to lose sharpness.  What does your 70% read?  Different ink sets,
> different amounts, different printers different ink amounts. The  curves
> posted or starting points. we all have are own set of perfect numbers and
> preferred looks and controls. >  
> 
> Eric Neilsen> 
> Eric Neilsen Photography> 
> 4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9> 
> Dallas, TX 75226>  
> 
> www.ericneilsenphotography.com
> 
> skype me with ejprinter>   _____  
> 
> From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Terry
> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:40 PM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Maximum Usable Black vs. Dmax - What's the Big Deal?> 
> 
> As I understand when printing out the Ink Separation Page in QTR, the Photo
> Black (PK) or Matte Black ink (MK) at 100% is the maximum black. Yet
> visually, on most Luster/Pearl/Semi-glossy papers, the 55, 60, or 65% ink
> square is as black looking as the 100%.
> 
> For example, when I measure the 100% PK ink square on Harman Crystaljet
> Luster RC paper, printed with Epson inks on my R800 / R1800 with my
> densitometer I get 2.64. The 60% black measures 2.13 yet visually looks as
> black as the 100%. The 60% is typically chosen to create the QTR profile yet
> the maximum density achievable is never really used. This general
> relationship is the same for all Luster/Pearl/Satin/Semi-gloss papers I've
> tested.
> 
> Yet for the inherent difference between Luster & Matte papers what is the
> "big deal" about high Dmax and can you really use the 100% in creating a
> profile?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>