Digital BW, The Print

Thanks so much for your advice over the past few days, everyone. 

I just ran my first hextone on my new 1280 using VM inks, and ohmygod
is it ever good. Much much much better than anything I've seen from
2000p or 1280 using color ink, tho still not up to silver print
standards, but that would be asking too much :)

I still need to experiment a lot with papers and settings.

Should I be printing at 1440 or 2880?

Has anyone had any luck printing on glossy or lustre papers?

Also, I haven't invested in a CIS yet - is there any disadvantage to
using one? And has anyone used a CIS-1280 on a mac system? The MIS
webpage makes it look like it's incompatible with the mac.

Thanks!

-Charley

Charley,

Congratulations! I am sure you will find the experience of making 
each print better than the last a lot of fun (and the occasional 
frustration).

CIS is a good, and reliable way to go. The one sold by 
MediaStreet.com (Niagara) is considered to the best (but more 
expensive because of the write-protected custom chip). If you are not 
going to be experimenting with different inks, this is the best way 
to go. If, however, you will want to try different inks, cartridges, 
either pre-filled or fill yourself is the way to go. For that reason, 
I have 2 printers, one to experiment different inks, and the other 
with a CIS for all my routine printing.

Good luck, and happy printing.

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "byronbulb" 
<byronbulb@y...> wrote:
> Thanks so much for your advice over the past few days, everyone. 
> 
> I just ran my first hextone on my new 1280 using VM inks, and 
ohmygod

> is it ever good. Much much much better than anything I've seen from
> 2000p or 1280 using color ink, tho still not up to silver print
> standards, but that would be asking too much :)
> 
> I still need to experiment a lot with papers and settings.
> 
> Should I be printing at 1440 or 2880?
> 
> Has anyone had any luck printing on glossy or lustre papers?
> 
> Also, I haven't invested in a CIS yet - is there any disadvantage to
> using one? And has anyone used a CIS-1280 on a mac system? The MIS
> webpage makes it look like it's incompatible with the mac.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> -Charley

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "byronbulb" <byronbulb@y...> 
wrote:
> Thanks so much for your advice over the past few days, everyone. 
> 
> I just ran my first hextone on my new 1280 using VM inks, and 
ohmygod
> is it ever good.


I like the 1280 output compared to the 1160

 Much much much better than anything I've seen from
> 2000p or 1280 using color ink, tho still not up to silver print
> standards, but that would be asking too much :)
> 
> I still need to experiment a lot with papers and settings.


I found that the 1440 settings for PC that Paul has on the MIS site 
don't suit my tastes towards the shadows, using Eclipse Satine. I 
would like to throw an additional correction to make values around 
65%-85%k or so darker, but that is just me. I find it matches the 
output from my old 1160's better.

> 
> Should I be printing at 1440 or 2880?

I got special curves from Paul for 2880 PC. The ones on the MIS site 
are for 1440. But I much prefer the 2880 setting, because I's swear 
the detail comes out better. I certainly like the tonal values without 
any tweaking. I don't mind that it's wasting ink and takes about twice 
as long to print. My own bias. I'm sure you'll do fine with the 1440 
setting.

> 
> Has anyone had any luck printing on glossy or lustre papers?
> 
> Also, I haven't invested in a CIS yet - is there any disadvantage to
> using one?

The carts can pop up introducing air leaks. I'm starting to believe 
that the carts should be swapped for new ones at least once a year- no 
firm evidence, just from gathering info from different sources.

MIS is currently working on a CFS that will ship fully charged with VM 
inks for 1280. It may have modified grey cart clamps (the snap on 
lids) to hold the carts down. Also another new thing or two, watch for 
it. 2-3 months out.

 And has anyone used a CIS-1280 on a mac system? The MIS
> webpage makes it look like it's incompatible with the mac.

Um, give Bob Zeiss at MIS a call about this, and see if he can tell 
you anything about the CFS...
Jim H.

> 
> Thanks!
> 
> -Charley