Digital BW, The Print

Hello, I would like to do some color next to my 1160 UT setup. 

I am essentially a b&w photographer, but sometimes some color would 
also be nice. I would like to print on EAM and semigloss papers: will 
the 1280 (1290 here in Europe) be a good choice? Does it print on 
Epson archival matte paper? On the Epson site only Matte heavyweight 
is mentioned.

Another question: Which would be the least expensive high quality 
third party solution for the 1290? MIS or Generations?

And if ever I get another printer for color I could get a CFS and UT 
for the 1290 - sometimes I feel that the quality of the 1160 
is "only" 90% or 95% of the ideal maximum quality and smoothness.

Thanks for any input. The archival color list is not very active...

regards Bernhard

Hi Bernhard.

I use 2 1290s, one with UT for B&W, one with MIs Glossy Pigment 
inks.  These are basically the Ultrachrome copies designed for use in 
the 1290/1280 family where they wouldn't manage the higher pigment 
loads of the straight Ultrachromes.
They are pigment inks, will print onto glossy/semi-gloss if you use 
the PK black and are archival.
The only MUST is the use of custom profiles.  I picked a few papers I 
liked, got profiles made from Dry Creek (first rate support and 
excellent profiles for $50 a set) and stuck with them.  I am more 
than happy to stick with this until I opt for a 4000 and IP for both 
B&W & colour.
I use an Mwords CIS on both systems.  All hassle free, great prints!

Kind regards

Steve

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie Ess" 
<albatros-@g...> wrote:
> Hello, I would like to do some color next to my 1160 UT setup. 
> 
> I am essentially a b&w photographer, but sometimes some color would 
> also be nice. I would like to print on EAM and semigloss papers: 
will 
> the 1280 (1290 here in Europe) be a good choice? Does it print on 
> Epson archival matte paper? On the Epson site only Matte 
heavyweight 
> is mentioned.
> 
> Another question: Which would be the least expensive high quality 
> third party solution for the 1290? MIS or Generations?
> 
> And if ever I get another printer for color I could get a CFS and 
UT 

> for the 1290 - sometimes I feel that the quality of the 1160 
> is "only" 90% or 95% of the ideal maximum quality and smoothness.
> 
> Thanks for any input. The archival color list is not very active...
> 
> regards Bernhard

I have an Epson 1160, which I use for b/w work, and had a 1270 
until recently. The 1280/1290 will print on EAM (now EEM) as well 
as semigloss papers such as Epson Premium Semi-Gloss (my 
favorite for printing on either the 1270 or 1280), Epson Premium 
Luster, and Ilford Galerie Classic Pearl. Can't tell you which is 
the least expensive "good" third party ink, though (but it's nice to 
know there are many choices).

Another possibility, if you can stretch the budget somewhat, is 
Epson's 2200 printer, which produces wonderful color prints with 
an inkset (Ultrachrome) designed with an eye toward longevity. 
And, with some work (and some ancillary software), it can make 
very, very nice b/w prints as well.

- Barrett

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie 
Ess" <albatros-@g...> wrote:

> Hello, I would like to do some color next to my 1160 UT setup. 
> I am essentially a b&w photographer, but sometimes some 
>color would also be nice. I would like to print on EAM and 
>semigloss papers: will the 1280 (1290 here in Europe) be a 
>good choice? Does it print on Epson archival matte paper? On 
>the Epson site only Matte heavyweight is mentioned.
> 
>Another question: Which would be the least expensive high 
>quality third party solution for the 1290? MIS or Generations?
> 
>And if ever I get another printer for color I could get a CFS and 
>UT for the 1290 - sometimes I feel that the quality of the 1160 
>is "only" 90% or 95% of the ideal maximum quality and 
>smoothness.
> 
> Thanks for any input. The archival color list is not very active...
> 
> regards Bernhard