Digital BW, The Print

OK. I need a tutor or something. I don't know if you guys and gals 
have any idea just how confusing trying to figure out how to go about 
higher quality B&W printing is with nothing to start from. BUT it's 
about to send me right back to wet darkroom work. 

Ever since I started seeing the type of work you people are doing I 
have been ploting to sell off my amassed Wet Darkroom equipment and 
turn the half finished darkroom into a place to setup a full tilt 
Light room. 

BUT while I can read all about the dozens of choices available for 
Printer, Inkset, Workflow, Paper, etc. The more I get frustrated. 

I really like the looks of what Paul Roack and MIS have to offer but 
which of the half dozen options do I take as a first step. Most of 
the curves listed in the MIS web site are for Printers that I can't 
find to buy. Only two of the printers in that list are being sold by 
B&H the 1280 and 2000P both of which are A3 size printers. And INK 
sets WOW they just run from one into the next with no way for a 
beginner to know which to start with.

I wanted to use a Letter size printer (8.5" wide)to help keep my 
costs down and after thinking real hard about what I would be doing 
with my prints I determined I had NO need of a larger printer in the 
for seeable future.

The printer I found most interesting the 960 it fits my budget as 
well as the spec's I was hoping for. Yet I find nothing offered for 
this printer is it to new or not suitable?

If I have to go to a larger printer to achieve this goal which one? I 
really don't want to swing for a 2200 as I really don't need that 
much printer $$$$ for my own home use.

So I guess what I NEED is for some kind and benevelant soul to take 
pity on this poor truck driver with way to many cameras. And just 
tell me what to spend my money on.

I want to be able to make 8X12" Matte/stain finish prints that will 
have a life span of approx 30+ years. I want to be able to adjust the 
tone of the print from slightly warm to slightly cool. I would like 
to do this with as repetable and simple of a system as possible. I 
don't mind refilling ink carts but I don't want to have to buy a CIS. 

I would really like to be able to do this working thru Picture Window 
Pro as I have really gotten into that program and find it's editing 
workflows to be easy for me to understand. I do have Photoshop 5.0LE 
that I have never been able to figure much out with BUT if need be 
would be willing to learn enough of it just to use it for the 
printing of finished files.

I don't need to use more then one or two differant papers I don't 
mind buying Epson paper I don't mind cutting paper to fit my needs.

I just NEED to figure this out and come up with a shopping list so I 
can get started. Cause this HP 932C with it's #45 and #78 carts is 
not worth using and I'm getting real tired of hoping something will 
come out I like.

Sorry for the long post any and all simple to the point help will be 
GREATLY APPRECIATED


Mark W.

walking reading typing frustration.

Mark,

>...I need a tutor or something....

I hear you.  My efforts are now aimed at lowering both the cost and learning
curve barriers.  MIS will soon have a line of "Easy B&W" inks that require
no special "workflow" (curves or special software).  

>...Most of the curves listed in the MIS web site are for Printers 
>that I can't find to buy. Only two of the printers in that list 
>are being sold by B&H the 1280 and 2000P both of which are 
>A3 size printers.

Most people seem to go for the 13" paper.  For a simple letter-size printer
to start with, consider an Epson C82.  They still appear to be available
from lots of sources for under $100.  Refurbished Epson printers can be good
deals.  They should come with new Epson warranties.

I would not limit myself to B&H. 

Also, if you want the most options with respect to inks and approaches, the
1280 might be worth considering. 

> And INK sets WOW they just run from one into the next with no way for a 
>beginner to know which to start with.

Well, I recommend pigments over dyes.  The state-of-the-art pigs include
PiezoTone, MIS UT, and Epson UltraChrome inks -- perhaps some others I have
not tested.

If you want the option to print on RC/glossy paper without having to spray a
fixative, then the MIS UT and UltraChromes are the answer.

If you want to have cheap and easy pigs on glossy, the C82 with MIS
UT-family inks is hard to beat.  They may not be on the web yet, but I think
MIS has loaded the carts or at least placed the order.

>I wanted to use a Letter size printer (8.5" wide) to help keep my 
>costs down ...

I'm hearing C82 loud and clear.  Just type "Epson C82 printer compare
prices" into your browser or Google search engine.  Also, take a look at
EBay. MIS also appears to have some.  They are out there.

>...life span of approx 30+ years.

Will 200+ be OK?

> I want to be able to adjust the tone of the print from slightly 
>warm to slightly cool.

The C82 inks are either neutral/"selenium" (what would have been called a
"cool" darkroom print) or carbon warm (similar to a platinum print look).
To get intermediate tones, you just put in, for example, 2 neutral carts and
one warm cart.  Each color position is a separate cart -- and they are all
the same.  So, you have control of the ink tones with the C82.

> I would like to do this with as repetable and simple of a 
>system as possible. 

Again, I'm hearing C82.  The UT-2 inkset will take the 1280 to this point
also, but it's going to be a few weeks before MIS has this, and the printer
is larger and more expensive than you want.

>I would really like to be able to do this working thru Picture Window 
>Pro ...

No problem.  That is also what I recommend to people who don't want to drop
the $600 Photoshop costs.

>I don't need to use more then one or two differant papers I don't 
>mind buying Epson paper I don't mind cutting paper to fit my needs.

For matte paper, I still recommend Epson Enhanced Matte for inexpensive and
non-archival uses.  Hahnemuhle PhotoRag is still the best cotton paper as
long as you brush it off first to avoid the coating from flaking off.

The RC/glossy (or semi-gloss/semi-matte) papers are worth keeping an eye on
also.  There are lots of them.

Call MIS at 248-391-2163 and ask for Bob.  He should have the C82 carts in
by now, even though they are not on the web site.  Since he has the C82
printers also, he might be able to do a turnkey solution.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

WOW Paul that I can understand I will give the contact at MIS a call 
and if I have to wait a few week no problem the wife never has liked 
me spendingright before Christmas anyway (she says it messes up her 
plans)...

Thank you very much.

Mark W.


Now only dazed and confused