Digital BW, The Print

To Jerry & the group,

The Legion Photo Matte in our Digital Art Paper Sampler is not only 
the same weight/thickness as the paper in the full boxes, but it came 
from the same lot (the same master reel) as every sheet in the market 
right now is from the same run.  (Jerry - I would be happy to send 
you some additional samples if you like.)

>>This paper is NOT as thick as the samples they sent out in their
>>sampler (legion paper co.). The actual boxes of paper are about 
>>the same thickness as Epson's Archival Matte.

>>This is very disappointing, in fact it might be illegal labeling. 
>>can easily pick out the heavier sampler paper with my eyes closed. 
>>The difference is not huge, but it is obvious. On the label on back 
>>of the sampler it says 230 gsms.

I received my supply of Legion Photo Matte today from Media Street. 
Ran a print and love the smoothness. The color makes EAM look yellow. 
The white is very nice, not blue, not lavender.

I am a bit disappointed with the weight. As Jerry, 230gsm is not an 
accurate description of this papers weight when compared to other 
papers. This paper is almost identical to EAM in weight. 

As I am moving on Friday, my digital gram scale is packed in a box. 
Once in the new house I will weigh both the EAM and LPM to see what 
the actual difference is.

So far though, a very nice paper indeed.

Mike

> I received my supply of Legion Photo Matte today from Media Street.
> Ran a print and love the smoothness. The color makes EAM look yellow.
> The white is very nice, not blue, not lavender.

I feel that the EAM makes the legion look a tad lavender, but that's just
me, and I change my mind about stuff like this routinely.

However, the phenomenon of how two whites (or any colors for that matter),
appear next to each other is interesting, but it has practical relevance
too. Those of you who like a paper this white/cool, how do you like to matte
such a paper? Can you find matte board that matches it's whiteness, or would
you go with a warmer white mat to further enhance the appearance of "bright
highlights" in the print. There's obviously no right answer here, I'm just
seeing how others might approach this. My preference is generally to use a
matte color that matches the paper base color, for continuity. With this
paper I worry if I can't find an archival board as bright, the paper will
make my matte look yellow, and I don't think I want that.

Opinions?

Todd

Just ran my first test print on th new legion photo matte paper, and
I'm very impressed with the results. I used a file that I've been
having problems with on EAM - it shows some posterization on that
paper, but has much better tonal range on the legion material.

The paper is slightly brighter and slightly smoother than the epson
(the brightness leads me to worry that it probably has brighteners)
according to its specs, the paper is supposedly somewhat heavier than
the Epson material, but they feel similar, and the legion exhibits a
bit more curling when the print is still drying. (But not enough to be
worrysome.)

This paper costs a little more than EAM ($16 for 50 sheets for Epson,
$20 for Legion) but it's in the same ballpark, and so far I like it
better. 

Oh - the back of the sheet is white, no logos or anything, yay! :)

-Charley