Digital BW, The Print

I have a set of MIS Variable Sepia on order.

Before I load my CIS system for first time - what
are the pros and cons of using the MIS black vs.
the Gen4 black?

Gen4 black is reported to be 25% dye and produces
more black density.

AFAIK - there is no compatibility problem. But what
about esthetics?  Longevity?

Thanks in Advance,
Steve Tucker

I have two 1160s, Steve, one with MIS VM Sepia-Neutral (as I still 
call it) in its NoMoreCarts.com CIS, the other with MediaStreet's Gen 
4 C, M, and Y inks in its NMC CIS, but along with the VM black, 
instead of the Gen4 hybrid or "blended" 75/25 pigment/dye black. I 
swapped the Gen4 K out for the VM K because of reports on the 
ArchivalColor list that the Gen4 black had faded in some 
circumstances. If I didn't re-print a lot of old B&W family photos, I 
don't think I would have bothered.

My guess is that my color prints suffer a little as a result of the 
swap. But my guess also is that most of the resulting deficit in 
black density can be profiled away at the ink-set level, i.e., that 
the other inks can at least partly make up for the black being 
lighter. I haven't had that printer profiled yet though. And in any 
case, I take it that you're thinking about swapping the VM black out 
in favor of the Gen4 K as a companion for your other S-N inks. If 
there's a visible difference you don't like, my guess is that you can 
adjust the S-N curves to compensate for it, but I wouldn't know where 
to start.

Sam

Sam McCandless            samcc@...

>I have a set of MIS Variable Sepia on order.
>
>Before I load my CIS system for first time - what
>are the pros and cons of using the MIS black vs.
>the Gen4 black?
>
>Gen4 black is reported to be 25% dye and produces
>more black density.
>
>AFAIK - there is no compatibility problem. But what
>about esthetics?  Longevity?
>
>Thanks in Advance,
>Steve Tucker