Digital BW, The Print

Hi guys,
It's been almost two years since the last time I was here. I can imagine you 
have really discussed all the following, but please help me with your most 
direct and brief answers. Of course, I am not asking if it is black or white. We 
all know truth lies under many grays. 
My beloved 7600 gives me great color prints and acceptable B&W's. Now that 
the 7600 is finally being de-moded by the new line of Epson printers, I think is 
time again for me to go further and try to get the best of it. My "acceptable"    
b&w prints go sometimes from "newspaper" neutral (lacking punch) to very 
very light selenium tone (looking slightly warm under some light). Most people 
don't object this, but I want to do better.  I want to install QTR in my WinXP 
computer. 
Is QTR really neutral ? How about tonality under a neutral tint ?
Still I consider myself no expert with computers. Is the QTR-Gui a "civilized" 
environment ? Are these easy to master ? To install ?
Three years ago I set a 1160 with Mis Quad and the results were totally 
satisfactory. Unfortunately it got clogged real bad. Since that day I decided 
that my future7600 was to remain stock. So, if QTR delivers it could be the 
holy grail for me... for the time being. Thanks a lot for all your comments and 
answers to my letter.
Regards

Ed

You need to simply go back and search these archives for posts on qtr. You 
will find a lot of information to work through. I am getting very neutral prints on 
Innova and Hahnemuhle rag with ultrachrome by using a curve setting of 
80%c -20%w on my 9600. You will have to experiement with your machine 
but this should get you in the ball park. To me these prints are more "neutral" 
than any gelatin silver print I've done on any fiber paper. There is absolutely 
no metamerisam, at all. What is also nice is that if you like a slightly cool 
netural or a slightly warm neutral or a very nice sepia that is also doable.

John


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "edymagno" <
cervantesfoto@p...> wrote:
> 
> Hi guys,
> It's been almost two years since the last time I was here. I can imagine you 
> have really discussed all the following, but please help me with your most 
> direct and brief answers. Of course, I am not asking if it is black or white. We 
> all know truth lies under many grays. 
> My beloved 7600 gives me great color prints and acceptable B&W's. Now 
that 
> the 7600 is finally being de-moded by the new line of Epson printers, I think 
is 
> time again for me to go further and try to get the best of it. My "acceptable"    
> b&w prints go sometimes from "newspaper" neutral (lacking punch) to very 
> very light selenium tone (looking slightly warm under some light). Most 
people 

> don't object this, but I want to do better.  I want to install QTR in my WinXP 
> computer. 
> Is QTR really neutral ? How about tonality under a neutral tint ?
> Still I consider myself no expert with computers. Is the QTR-Gui a "civilized" 
> environment ? Are these easy to master ? To install ?
> Three years ago I set a 1160 with Mis Quad and the results were totally 
> satisfactory. Unfortunately it got clogged real bad. Since that day I decided 
> that my future7600 was to remain stock. So, if QTR delivers it could be the 
> holy grail for me... for the time being. Thanks a lot for all your comments and 
> answers to my letter.
> Regards
> 
> Ed

I want to install QTR in my WinXP 
> computer. 
> Is QTR really neutral ? How about tonality under a neutral tint ?
> Still I consider myself no expert with computers. Is the QTR-Gui a
"civilized" 
> environment ? Are these easy to master ? To install ?

I don't know what you mean by "civilized," but QTRgui is just about
the simplest application I know of, graphic or otherwise. Easy
installation (I use XP). You'll be happy to pay the $50 after the free
trial!

Yes, it makes neutral greys and deep blacks. I use Epson OEM pigments
and like sepia/black on unwhitened (naturally warm) paper most of the
time, but if you like colder blacks on whitened paper you may have a
OEM-Vs-MIS decision. I do use Moab Kokopelli, which is brightened,
when I occasionally want true gloss (minimal bronze and gloss
differential). 

Djon

> Ed

Well, I mean civilized, something as the Epson driver. That's it. 
I will try looking for the qtr messages here.
Thanks a lot Djon and John Dean, you already being a lot of help.
Regards

Ed

> 
> I don't know what you mean by "civilized," but QTRgui is just about
> the simplest application I know of, graphic or otherwise. Easy
> installation (I use XP). You'll be happy to pay the $50 after the free
> trial!
> 
> Yes, it makes neutral greys and deep blacks. I use Epson OEM pigments
> and like sepia/black on unwhitened (naturally warm) paper most of the
> time, but if you like colder blacks on whitened paper you may have a
> OEM-Vs-MIS decision. I do use Moab Kokopelli, which is brightened,
> when I occasionally want true gloss (minimal bronze and gloss
> differential). 
> 
> Djon
> 
> > Ed

As was said before, it costs nothing to try it. Should be no harm 
looking at the software and trying to understand how to use it. There 
is no official licensing or nags, so  there is no limit to the number 
of days in the trial. If you like, contribute to the designer, if not 
simple uninstall it and try something else.

You may also want to try the Bowhaus RIP, which sells for $250, but 
may have an interface that you like better (then again it may not).

Well, I downloaded QTR. It seems like some studying and tests to do all over 
again. The tutorial with it is really good. I'll try to start using it during the 
weekend. We'll see how I go.
Thanks

Ed 









--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "dfaprinting" <
dfaprinting@y...> wrote:

> As was said before, it costs nothing to try it. Should be no harm 
> looking at the software and trying to understand how to use it. There 
> is no official licensing or nags, so  there is no limit to the number 
> of days in the trial. If you like, contribute to the designer, if not 
> simple uninstall it and try something else.
> 
> You may also want to try the Bowhaus RIP, which sells for $250, but 
> may have an interface that you like better (then again it may not).