Digital BW, The Print

I'm currently printing BW with my 2200 using QTR with the UC inkset
(matte black). I'm thinking about switching to the 2400 to get better
blacks and (hopefully) dotless highlights, along with the capacity to
print on glossy papers. But before I commit myself I want to
investigate  other options. I've considered the Piezo K7 inkset,
probably the smoothest tonally, but I've heard discouraging remarks
about dmax. MIS UT7 may be the route to go, if clogging is not an
issue, but I prefer to get print tone through paper rather than
inks/curves. Perhaps the ideal inkset would combine the dmax of eboni
with the tonal smoothness of K7. Then, again, those Nanochromes might
offer something, but might require too much tinkering.  I'd be
interested in hearing from others in my situation -- what choices
you've made and what results you've had.

Chris Hargens

"Chris Hargens" <chargens@s...> wrote:
>
> I'm currently printing BW with my 2200 using QTR with the UC inkset
> (matte black). I'm thinking about switching to the 2400 to get better
> blacks and (hopefully) dotless highlights, along with the capacity to
> print on glossy papers. But before I commit myself I want to
> investigate  other options. 

Perhaps the simplest thing to do is use MIS Eboni in the MK slot alongside the UC inkset 
-- which is what I do.

I've used these options:
EZN/W on C86
Black Only on 2200
ImagePrint UC/2200 +/- Eboni

I find the Eboni an improvement over Epson's MK. Each of the different options give a 
different "look" to the print. The black only option with MIS Eboni gives a great "punch" to 
the print but there is a noticible graininess if you look closely. I highly recommend the EZN 
and/or UT7 (and presumably the K7) approach if you aren't also printing color.

I also have a 4800 and am very pleased (thrilled) with it for glossy photos but I'd say that 
for someone who already has a 2200 there is very little noticible advantage in moving to a 
2400/4800 etc. if you are printing with matte papers.

Think about adding the 2400 for glossy purposes -- in which case you do get terrific 
dmax, but keep the 2200 for matte papers.

Jonathan

Thanks for the ideas. I currently print almost exclusively on matte
paper. That may change if the new Crane Silver Rag paper, along with
others that may follow, opens up the possibility of printing on a
glossy/semigloss paper that doesn't have that plastic feel. I may give
eboni a try again. As for smoother prints, I think another way would
be to use UT7's eboni, custom light black, dark gray, and light gray,
and print warm tone prints using QTR. Too bad MIS hasn't come up with
a k7 inkset that utilizes eboni, for good blacks, and achieves warms
and cools through paper choice rather than toning curves.  

Chris Hargens 


 --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Jonathan
Borden" <borden_jonathan@y...> wrote:

> 
> Perhaps the simplest thing to do is use MIS Eboni in the MK slot
alongside the UC inkset 
> -- which is what I do.
> 
> I've used these options:
> EZN/W on C86
> Black Only on 2200
> ImagePrint UC/2200 +/- Eboni
> 
> I find the Eboni an improvement over Epson's MK. Each of the
different options give a 
> different "look" to the print. The black only option with MIS Eboni
gives a great "punch" to 
> the print but there is a noticible graininess if you look closely. I
highly recommend the EZN 
> and/or UT7 (and presumably the K7) approach if you aren't also
printing color.
> 
> I also have a 4800 and am very pleased (thrilled) with it for glossy
photos but I'd say that 
> for someone who already has a 2200 there is very little noticible
advantage in moving to a 
> 2400/4800 etc. if you are printing with matte papers.
> 
> Think about adding the 2400 for glossy purposes -- in which case you
do get terrific 

> dmax, but keep the 2200 for matte papers.
> 
> Jonathan
>