Digital BW, The Print

It may be time for me to move on to a 24" printer.  It will be for B&W
printing only.  So, the color ink issues are not of much concern to me.  The
question is, do I get a 7000, 7500 or 7600?  I'm leaning toward either the
7500 or 7600.

The 7600 has that extra light black ink, which may be a benefit.  On the
other hand, who knows how it may react to curves that are designed to
control a B&W, probably variable-tone, inkset.  I'm a bit skeptical that, at
display print size, the 2880 has much benefit.  I assume the 7600 is a bit
faster.  A warranty certainly has some benefit if the alternative 7500 is
not under warranty.  The chips are a pain, but I'm told empty chipped carts
will be here next month.

The 7500 would have the advantage of being able to take the Archival inks.
While I would not anticipate using the colors for anything other than toning
a B&W inkset, the Epson Archival pigments are more light fast than the
UltraChromes -- or any other desktop inks.  (Can the Archival pigments be
used on the 7600?  The smaller picoliter heads suggest potential trouble.)
Of course, the 7500 would be a bit cheaper to buy initially.

I would anticipate making an advanced (meaning more lightfast) version of
the neutral-to-sepia inkset for whatever I get.  I might base this on
PiezoTone midtones, the UC inks, perhaps some Archival inks, or perhaps new
inks MIS comes up with.

All comments -- including what others might like to see -- are welcomed.
For example, are there people who would want a B&W inkset for the 7600 or
7500?

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

Paul,

I am excited that you are exploring the larger printers because I am 
also ready to take large printer and have similar concerns.  I use 
the MIS FS Standard inks on a 1280 with the Cone print driver and the 
FS Variable Tone inks on a 1270 with the epson driver and your 
curves/workflow.  The prints which I have had commercially printed on 
the 7500 have not had the smooth textures or tones that I am able to 
achieve using the MIS inks, so I am in a quandry regarding what to do 
next.  I propose that it would be best if you could get some inks, 
curves and workflows formulated for the 7600.  This would offer more 
accessiblity, warranties and such.  Frankly, if you can make either 
printer work with the qualities that are achievable with the various 
quadtone inks on the smaller printers, I will be right behind you.

Sincerly,

James
http://www.lightroomphotography.com

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> Message Truncated  <
> All comments -- including what others might like to see -- are 
welcomed.
> For example, are there people who would want a B&W inkset for the 
7600 or

> 7500?
> 
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com