Digital BW, The Print

Willumm,

That is the first time I have spelled that name that way.  Nice meeting you.

I have been make some very exciting B&W prints on the R1800 using QuadTone RIP and the 3k printing process.  These are some of the best B&W prints I have ever made in my forty years of making photographs.

I have been a large format shooter from nearly the start, and I have been making improved prints, over my darkroom prints, on the R1800.  I scan the mostly 4x5 negatives on an ICG drum scanner in RGB then print them on the R1800 using mostly black inks.  The only time color inks are used is when I want to tone a print, or print on glossy paper.

I made a post on this list just a week ago or so about my process.  I am sure you can find it in the archives.  I print from neutral to sepia to cool prints with just the move of sliders in the RIP program.  I have printed on matte papers using MIS Ebony inks, and on glossy papers using the Epson inks.  Changing from to the other is easy, but will cost you a bit of ink.

What is nice about printing on matte papers is that the printer will still be able to print color, as well as great B&W.  I have been using different brands of paper, depending on the reason for the print, and the final look that I want.  Different papers make big differences in the outcome.

The detail I am pulling out of my old negatives, mostly Ilford FP-4 film, is truly amazing.  Very long, smooth tonal ranges, filled with detail I never saw from a print made through some of Schneider's best enlarging lenses.  They are much better then the DSLR images I am shooting now.  If I didn't have such a bad back, I would still be shooting the 4x5.  I can't carry the weight of the equipment very long before I can't walk the next day.  Bad L-4 disc!

If you can't find my post in the archives, let me know and I will find it and send you a copy.

I think the R1800 is one of the best photo printers ever made.  It is sad that Epson has dropped it.  I have been wanting to try a R1400 with Carbon 6.  If the economy keeps improving I will get the set up.  The on limitation I don't like in both printers is the 13x19 print size limit.

Ben

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "William" <big_willum53@...> wrote:
>
> Hello All
> I am Willumm A Celt living in Glamorgan South Wales UK.
> This is my first post and I would like to ask the group how to produce
> stunning Black and White printed Images using my Epson R1800.  At the
> moment I am getting either Green cast or Magenta cast so I have been
> trolling the web looking for help and I came upon your group and
> wondered if you as a group  would help in laymans terms how to produce
> work without a colour cast.
> Many Thanks
> Willumm
> 
> 
> 
> 
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