Digital BW, The Print

I would be grateful for any thoughts on the following.  For the past few
years, I have been printing mainly with an Epson 1270 instead of in the
darkroom.  The results have generally been excellent (to me), though I was
never able to solve completely the color cast in using Epson OEM inks for
b&w.  For that I switched to a CIS from MIS, and their VM-S inkset, since
sometimes I like a warmer print.  So far, so good.  However, clogging has
become a major issue.  I photograph more than I print, and don't have a
heavy output volume.  Sometimes it is not possible to run nozzle
checks/cleaning cycles for 5-6 days.  Predictably, CIS problems ensue.  I
learned to use MIS pre-filled black cartridges, since the black clogs faster
than the colors.  MIS says the color cartridge needs to be "de-foamed" every
six months, and sure enough, six months after purchase, I can't recover some
of the color nozzles, even with Windex etc.

So, now I am thinking I'm probably not a candidate for a CIS, and I'm a few
printer generations behind also.   My main interest is b&w, usually neutral,
though I do like some toning - I have a "platinum" duotone that is really
nice.  I don't print that large, so a 13x19 printer is fine for  me.  For
the occasional color snapshot, I have a Canon i950 that works fine.  In
going through the posts, I'm thinking that a 2200 with a RIP may be the way
to go (I say RIP like I knew...I've never used one), and the OEM ultrachrome
inks.  Although the inks would be more expensive, and money is always an
object, I'm hoping this combination would accomodate my irregular printing
schedule, and allow neutral b&w, with some tolerance toward cooler and
warmer prints.  Since I don't have a Mac, from the posts it looks like the
Epson RIP is preferred, though the budget will accomodate Image Print.
Almost all of my printing is on matte papers, Epson EEM and Arches Infinity.
When I'm lucky enought to get a good image, the source negative and scan are
usually very good, in technical not necessarily artistic terms.

Am I on the right track?  I don't want to compromise on quality, but I
really don't want to waste time purging cartridges, etc. either.   Thanks
and apologies for the long post.

Regards,

  --Ken Carney
    www.kencarney.com

Ken,

>... Epson 1270 ... VM-S inkset, since sometimes I like a warmer print ...
> However, clogging has become a major issue ...   CIS problems ...

One of the main reasons MIS switched to the Eboni black is that it is not a
co-solvent black like the vm-k.  The co-solvents and CISs clogged a lot for
people who did not use them regularly.

>... I'm probably not a candidate for a CIS

I agree.  I don't use them either, but a big part of that is that I like to
switch inks.  With a UC or MIS Ultra Tone ("UT") inkset that can print on RC
papers, you might find you'll want to try those papers with a photo black.
Switching black carts on a desktop printer is easy.

> and I'm a few printer generations behind also.

The 1270 with a quad inkset will still match the best there is.  If you have
a good unit that does not band, it is worth keeping.

>My main interest is b&w, usually neutral,
>though I do like some toning - I have a "platinum" duotone that is really
>nice.  I don't print that large, so a 13x19 printer is fine for  me.

Before you spend a lot of money, why not try the Ultra Tone in some carts.
The warm end of the range is considerably warmer than the MIS VM inkset,
although not as dark as the vm-s will go.  I'm replacing the vm-s sepias in
my show with UT warm prints because the lightfastness of the UT warm is the
best there is (pure carbon), and it is warm enough to give that platinum
look.

>I'm thinking that a 2200 with a RIP may be the way to go ...

You'll have dots in the highlights.  The 2200 output I've seen cannot match
your current 1270 vm-s output.

>... I don't want to compromise on quality,

Then consider saving the money on the 2200 and RIP.

> but I really don't want to waste time purging cartridges ...

Why not use new virgin carts and fill your own.  I never re-use carts due to
the foam issues.  With the 1270 and UT inks that should work very well and
be reasonably easy.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

Thanks much, Paul, that seems excellent advice.  I'm very pleased with the
results from the VM-S set, and definitely not looking for new ways to spend
money.  It seems that years back I refilled some 1270 cartridges with MIS
ink, but the results weren't then acceptable.  As I recall, the procedure
wasn't too time consuming.  This way I could order virgin Epson chipped
cartridges, as you note fill them once then toss them.  The ability to
change inksets back and forth sounds great.  It sounds like a way to address
clogging issues from a gap in printing times, and still have a true b&w
inkset(s).  I hope.  RIP or not, I wasn't looking forward to again trying to
deal with issues of printing with color inks.  I'll chunk the CIS and go
this direction first.

Regards,

  --Ken Carney
    www.kencarney.com



----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Roark" <paul.roark@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 9:47 AM
Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Upgrading question(s)


> Ken,
>
> >... Epson 1270 ... VM-S inkset, since sometimes I like a warmer print ...
> > However, clogging has become a major issue ...   CIS problems ...
>
> One of the main reasons MIS switched to the Eboni black is that it is not
a
> co-solvent black like the vm-k.  The co-solvents and CISs clogged a lot
for
> people who did not use them regularly.
>
> >... I'm probably not a candidate for a CIS
>
> I agree.  I don't use them either, but a big part of that is that I like
to
> switch inks.  With a UC or MIS Ultra Tone ("UT") inkset that can print on
RC
> papers, you might find you'll want to try those papers with a photo black.
> Switching black carts on a desktop printer is easy.
>
> > and I'm a few printer generations behind also.
>
> The 1270 with a quad inkset will still match the best there is.  If you
have
> a good unit that does not band, it is worth keeping.
>
> >My main interest is b&w, usually neutral,
> >though I do like some toning - I have a "platinum" duotone that is really
> >nice.  I don't print that large, so a 13x19 printer is fine for  me.
>
> Before you spend a lot of money, why not try the Ultra Tone in some carts.
> The warm end of the range is considerably warmer than the MIS VM inkset,
> although not as dark as the vm-s will go.  I'm replacing the vm-s sepias
in
> my show with UT warm prints because the lightfastness of the UT warm is
the
> best there is (pure carbon), and it is warm enough to give that platinum
> look.
>
> >I'm thinking that a 2200 with a RIP may be the way to go ...
>
> You'll have dots in the highlights.  The 2200 output I've seen cannot
match
> your current 1270 vm-s output.
>
> >... I don't want to compromise on quality,
>
> Then consider saving the money on the 2200 and RIP.
>
> > but I really don't want to waste time purging cartridges ...
>
> Why not use new virgin carts and fill your own.  I never re-use carts due
to
> the foam issues.  With the 1270 and UT inks that should work very well and
> be reasonably easy.
>
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com
>
>
>
>
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