Digital BW, The Print

Sorry for the previously missing attachment. 
 
As I was literally about to convert my lightly used 1160 to quad for printing  BW scans,  the main board has gone out on the 1160 and 'only'  needs about $200 to repair (parts and labor). The small dilemma is: to repair the 1160 and continue on with BW quads or instead buy the 1280 and continue on, but in hex. Besides the trade off on chipped carts, what  are  other pros and cons between the two printers? Both  printers seem to have very informed fans and I would be embarassed if this in anyway pits one vs. another. Just the pros and cons, really.  In addition to the  full range neutral BW prints  where high quality is a must,  I want to have the capability to make equal quality digital negatives, (via Dan Burkholder techniques),  for a return visit to the Nadeau type carbon print technique I have enjoyed before. Your patience and suggestions of course most appreciated. 






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>... what  are  other pros and cons between the two printers?

I have been a big fan of the 1160, but a lot of that has to do with its
usefulness in inkset design and simplicity.  When I'm trying different inks,
it's just simpler.  The (un-chipped) carts can be vacuum filled, whereas the
1280 carts seem to require bottom fill (and more cleaning cycles).  The
Piezo ink density distribution in the 1160 can be printed with either the
Piezo driver or Epson driver, whereas the hextone Piezo inksets cannot use
the Epson driver.

So, the 1160 won based on its simplicity -- and it is a very good printer.

With the old vm curves I was not happy with the 1280.  It didn't seem to
like the "warm" curve.  However, with the new Ultra Tone inks and curves,
that problem is now gone.  The 1160 UT curves are better than the old vm
curves, but the 1280 curves are even better than the 1160 curves.

I now have a 1280 set up and must say it is simply a better printer than the
1160.  The smoothness of the ramp, not only in the highlights where there is
more light ink but even in the shadows, is superior.  I think Epson learned
something about drivers and dither patterns between these two printers.

>  I want to have the capability to make equal quality digital
>negatives, ...

I have used Pictorico film and the UT inkset to make test internegatives
with the 1160 and 1280.  There is a huge difference in shadow quality.  The
1160 is unacceptable for this use, in my view.  If you want good
internegatives, go with the 1280.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com