Digital BW, The Print

I am new to this group, so please excuse me if my question is
something discussed extensively in the past.  I plan to buy a new
printer (will spend up to about $700) and I want something that will
produce high quality black and white prints, without metamerism.  A
year or two ago I got the impression the Epson 2200 was the way to
go--is that still the case?  I have seen conflicting claims about
whether it really does completely avoid metamerism, and about what one
must do to achieve this avoidance.

Can someone point me in the right direction to look for information?

I believe we need a bit more information to help you better.  Firstly, do
you intend to use the printer for colour output also or do you intend to
dedicate it to B&W?  (Also, although it is now less relevant, are you on a
Mac or PC?)  The 21/2200 is a great printer but it alone will not produce
great B&W.  The good news is that there exists a few very cost effective
options for producing good B&W from this printer. For example, Quadtone RIP
(QTR, $50) can be used in conjunction with the Epson Ultrachrome inks to
produce outstanding B&W prints, and you can continue to use the printer for
colour work also.  Alternatively, you can dedicate the printer to B&W with
specialist B&W inks and either use QTR or Paul Roark's workflows (to name
just two).  Given your budget, if you are going to dedicate the printer to
B&W then I suspect a 1280/90 would be more than adequate.  Personally I use
the 2100/QTR combination, with a colour ultrachrome equivalent CFS from MIS
to lower my ink costs.

> From: alex58ks <alex58ks@...>
> Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 06:45:37 -0000
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [Digital BW] Printer purchasing advice
> 
> I am new to this group, so please excuse me if my question is
> something discussed extensively in the past.  I plan to buy a new
> printer (will spend up to about $700) and I want something that will
> produce high quality black and white prints, without metamerism.  A
> year or two ago I got the impression the Epson 2200 was the way to
> go--is that still the case?  I have seen conflicting claims about
> whether it really does completely avoid metamerism, and about what one
> must do to achieve this avoidance.
> 
> Can someone point me in the right direction to look for information?

The Mac/PC question is complicated--I've been doing my photo editing
on a Mac laptop (it's Mac because I use Mac at work) but I have an old
PC at home, and I'll likely soon replace it with another PC (better
for other family members.)  I may switch my photo editing to the PC,
because a laptop screen is not a substitute for a proper monitor.

I will be using the printer for color as well.