Digital BW, The Print

My fluorescent light fade test of the Matte Black-based FS/Piezo-compatible
inkset I mixed is now at 300 hours.  By this time with the old quads, I'd
have a pretty good idea what the initial fade was going to be.  However,
with this new generation of quads, virtually nothing significant at all
happens in 300 hours in my fader -- time for a new fade tester.

In addition to the Epson Matte Black quad, I also had a PiezoTone NW test
strip in the fader.  The midtones of this test strip were also rock solid.
This one had the original PiezoTone black, which, as expected did fade and
warm significantly.  However, this is old news.  I don't have any of the new
PiezoTone black inks to test.

I have doubled the light intensity of my fader for future tests.  It is now
up to 3100 lumens, using a "Lights of America" compact fluorescent light
that is said to have the equivalent output of a 100 watt standard light
bulb.  Perhaps with this new light I'll be able to speed up the process of
evaluating the new inks.

As a practical matter, I'm beginning to think that the fade testing of the
old quads was really just showing us how much dye they had in them.

It would be very interesting to see the longevity rating Wilhelm or RIT
would give to the PiezoTone NW or this Matte Black quad.  If certain 3rd
party color pigs are truly rated at 100 years (excuse my skepticism) then
the quads that can be made from (presumably) pure carbon must be multiple
hundreds of years.  Even the 2200 "B&W" test strip showed some fade in 300
hours in a previous test.

I now have a pure Epson Archival (7500) black FS/Piezo-compatible inkset
running in my 1160.  It makes quite a neutral inkset, with, of course, a
weak black.  However, with coating, the 7500 black is just over 2.0 density
(first day -- it'll drop slightly).

I have also received the first of the UltraChrome clone inks -- matte black,
photo black, and light black.  I'll let you know how these perform when I
have an opportunity to check them out.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.como

> I have doubled the light intensity of my fader for future tests.
> It is now
> up to 3100 lumens, using a "Lights of America" compact fluorescent light
> that is said to have the equivalent output of a 100 watt standard light
> bulb.  Perhaps with this new light I'll be able to speed up the process of
> evaluating the new inks.

Not sure how light measurements work... lumens vs lux? (lumens per sq m?) -
anyway, I have a light here with fluorescent tubes that is supposed to give
10,000 lux at 20" distance - how does that compare to what you have there?

tim

okay - just dug out an spare tube box - each double tube is supposed to be
2900 lumens according to Phillips and is about 16" long, and the light takes
two tubes - hmmm, maybe I'll try some fade tests wit this beast.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:

<Big snip>
> using a "Lights of America" compact fluorescent light
> that is said to have the equivalent output of a 100
> watt standard light bulb.
<Big snip>

Paul,
I'd be wary of "Lights of America" products left un-
attended for long periods.  I've had three out of
five fail - some after a few weeks, some lasted for
several months.  The most recent failure was preceeded
by a gradual dimming and then the unmistakable smell
of HOT insulation.

Lighting is a hot topic of discussion in one of my
other hobbies, model railroading.  There is universal
agreement among "Light of America" purchasers that
they represent a safey hazard.

The local Home Depot has had so many returned that
they no longer will sell them.  Now they're showing
up at Sam's Club!

My entire house is now outfitted with "energy saving"
light bulbs.  Except now they're Phillips or GE.

Thanks for all your efforts,
Steve T.