Digital BW, The Print

This is my first post in the forum--by way of introduction, I'll 
simply say that I am an advanced amateur photographer, with a 
special interest in B&W printing.  I've recently gone all-digital on 
the shooting side, and I am now setting up the digital printing side.

My semi-retirement project is to scan in and print some thirty-plus 
years of 35 negs, as needed. FWIW, I also am an advanced (hardware) 
PC computer freak.

So, for the past few weeks, I've found this forum and related B&W 
links, and I've been busy reading PR's and CJ's info.  I sorted out 
the following:

1.  I would build a dedicated B&W printer, and start a learning 
project.  

2.  Based on the prevailing wisdom, I've acquired a NIB Epson R340.  

3.  To begin with, I've gotten an MIS-UTR2N cartridge set, and an 
Eboni cartridge as well.  

4.  Paper samples are arriving, and I have my eye on Red River 
papers for sampling.

5.  If this goes reasonably smoothly--then I will charge into 
scanning, etc., and printing.  Although my earlier preference was 
for matte B&W printing, I still need to gain some current experience 
and see what my (print) tastes are.

6.  Once items 1-5 are sorted out a bit more, I will add a CIS 
package--I have an InkJetFly / empty kit arriving shortly.  

That's the summary to date--I will try to use this thread to add-on 
information as I develop it, and hopefully it will become a 
comprehensive R340-B&W printing resource.

THE INITIAL QUESTION IS THIS:  Does anyone here have any experience 
in installing the MIS UT inksets in a NIB R340?  I do not plan to 
put in the factory cartridges, just start directly with the MIS inks.

It's been seven years since I set up an inkjet printer--and I would 
like any tips on possible problems with this installation variant.

TIA--

Jim H.

I've put the MIS inks in a new R340.  You don't need to put the Epson carts in first.  Sell 'em.  Just open the box, load the drivers, insert the MIS carts, and go.  I've done this with an R220, as well.
   
  Oh, do plug the printer into the wall and the computer, as well!
   
  *********

Fred59 <jfhanson45@...> wrote:
          This is my first post in the forum--by way of introduction, I'll 
simply say that I am an advanced amateur photographer, with a 
special interest in B&W printing. I've recently gone all-digital on 
the shooting side, and I am now setting up the digital printing side.

My semi-retirement project is to scan in and print some thirty-plus 
years of 35 negs, as needed. FWIW, I also am an advanced (hardware) 
PC computer freak.

So, for the past few weeks, I've found this forum and related B&W 
links, and I've been busy reading PR's and CJ's info. I sorted out 
the following:

1. I would build a dedicated B&W printer, and start a learning 
project. 

2. Based on the prevailing wisdom, I've acquired a NIB Epson R340. 

3. To begin with, I've gotten an MIS-UTR2N cartridge set, and an 
Eboni cartridge as well. 

4. Paper samples are arriving, and I have my eye on Red River 
papers for sampling.

5. If this goes reasonably smoothly--then I will charge into 
scanning, etc., and printing. Although my earlier preference was 
for matte B&W printing, I still need to gain some current experience 
and see what my (print) tastes are.

6. Once items 1-5 are sorted out a bit more, I will add a CIS 
package--I have an InkJetFly / empty kit arriving shortly. 

That's the summary to date--I will try to use this thread to add-on 
information as I develop it, and hopefully it will become a 
comprehensive R340-B&W printing resource.

THE INITIAL QUESTION IS THIS: Does anyone here have any experience 
in installing the MIS UT inksets in a NIB R340? I do not plan to 
put in the factory cartridges, just start directly with the MIS inks.

It's been seven years since I set up an inkjet printer--and I would 
like any tips on possible problems with this installation variant.

TIA--

Jim H.



         


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Jim,

>... project ... to scan in and print some thirty-plus 
> years of 35 negs, as needed. 

I'd buy the best, highest resolution scanner possible soon, and not a
flatbed.

>... I've acquired a NIB Epson R340. 

Good choice.

>... MIS-UTR2N cartridge set, and an Eboni cartridge as well. 

> Paper samples are arriving, and I have my eye on 
> Red River papers for sampling.

See notes on papers that I've been using and what I have set up with the 220
in my Readme file, below.  See the papers supported by ICCs at
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/R220_UT-R2_ICC_Download.html   I go for smooth
surface, high dmax, and when it's on my account, affordable acid free.

In addition to those papers, I'm now using Premier Art's dual sided 210
weight "Matte BW" for an every day as well as roll paper.  See
http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pm_mattebw.php  and 
http://www.itsupplies.com/cgi-bin/itsupplies.storefront/45c3aff500d9ca922740
4200c14c06bb/Catalog/1623
 

> Does anyone here have any experience 
> in installing the MIS UT inksets in a NIB R340? 

See Tom Baker's post.

I believe the 340 operates just like the 220 that I've used and written up
at http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/R220_R2_Readme.pdf 

Good luck with the system.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Fred59"
<jfhanson45@...> wrote:
>
> This is my first post in the forum--by way of introduction, I'll 
> simply say that I am an advanced amateur photographer, with a 
> special interest in B&W printing.  I've recently gone all-digital on 
> the shooting side, and I am now setting up the digital printing side.
> 
> My semi-retirement project is to scan in and print some thirty-plus 
> years of 35 negs, as needed. FWIW, I also am an advanced (hardware) 
> PC computer freak.
> 
Jim:

I have enjoyed BW printing for a couple of years now using an Epson
2200 and MIS UT7 inks.  Surprisingly pleasing prints can evolve from a
digital camera color image, PhotoShop, and QuadToneRip.

Like you I have about three decades of 35mm BW negatives and, for all
but a few, proper contact sheets; plus more color slides than I can
properly estimate.  You may find reviewing contact sheets as tiresome
as I even knowing there are exposures worth working through a BW
inkjet printer.  Reviewing color slides is even more tedious.

Paul Roark recommends a high-resolution scanner for your negatives; I
agree.  I bought a Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 and have managed to
work over about 150 sets of negatives.  The 5400 has been replaced by
the 5400 II which reviewers claim is faster with more image processing
features.  It is expensive but the capability to scan 5400 elements
per inch means you can wring just about all the value from the
scanned film.

An important adjunct is a program to display and permit searching for
individual and groups of images.  I find Westphal's IMatch
(photools.com) is ideal.  One may search for similar images where
searching on name, date, EXIF data, and what-have-you, would be
ineffective.  I have 21 DVDs loaded with the full files of many BW
images (as well as recent files from a Sony F828).  IMatch holds
relatively little data on-line for each image -thumbnail and text data
as well as identity of the DVD carrying the full image.

Thumbnails can be displayed in several sizes with or without
accompanying data.  The kids are in their fifties now, but I have
discovered many forgotten images of their younger years.  A scanner
and presentation program turns those old negatives into a much more
valuable resource.

Reinald

Prior to getting this printer running, I've decided to install an 
external waste tank.  I've found one link to installation 
instructions specifically for an R340, and another for an R1800 
waste tank installation that (probably) is a better design--has a 
check valve in it.  I'll integrate the two resources. 

Adding the waste tank at this point in installation ought to extend 
the printer life, I hope--and reduce maintenance needs, right?

The InkJetFly CIS is arriving today as well.  Installation on that 
will wait while I use the MIS cartridges I bought.    

So, photo documentation of both these projects will follow shortly.  

Jim H.

The problem seems to be that there is a chip in the printer that keeps track of the amount of ink it thinks is in the waste tank.  Unless you can defeat this chip (or reset it, which can be done) an external tank won't make any difference in the life span.  
   
  *********

Fred59 <jfhanson45@yahoo.com> wrote:
          Prior to getting this printer running, I've decided to install an 
external waste tank. I've found one link to installation 
instructions specifically for an R340, and another for an R1800 
waste tank installation that (probably) is a better design--has a 
check valve in it. I'll integrate the two resources. 

Adding the waste tank at this point in installation ought to extend 
the printer life, I hope--and reduce maintenance needs, right?

The InkJetFly CIS is arriving today as well. Installation on that 
will wait while I use the MIS cartridges I bought. 

So, photo documentation of both these projects will follow shortly. 

Jim H.



         


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

re 340 Service Utilities--I'm researching that now, to sort out which 
is the 'best' procedure, etc.  Thanks, Tom.

Jim H.

There is one that's available free on the net.  I can't recall the name at the moment.  But, it works for this and other related things.  I reset the maint tank indicator on my 220 with it.
   
  *********

Fred59 <jfhanson45@...> wrote:
          re 340 Service Utilities--I'm researching that now, to sort out which 
is the 'best' procedure, etc. Thanks, Tom.

Jim H.



         


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello Jim,

I join Tom's experience: Just put your MIS UT-R2 cartridges in, it's
no problem. The R340 will just tell you that you're using non-Epson
inks and ask you if you want to proceed on your own risk. Just confirm
with OK and everything is fine. I'm having very good results following
CJ's and PR's infos with these inks. Both on matte and glossy paper,
switching the black ink correspondingly.

Gordon

Thanks to both of you.  I'm going out this morning to get the supplies 
to complete the waste ink mod; then I will fire it up.

Jim

I'm refocusing (so to speak) my photography efforts so I have for sale:

Epson 4990 Photo scanner with all accessories, including an excellent 
aftermarket 120/220 film frame

Epson 1280 printer with set of new MIS UT-7 spongeless refillable 
cartridges and inks with syringes, etc.

Both units are in near mint condition and will be shipped in their 
original Epson cartons.

10-day return privilege. Both units with accessories $525.00 plus 
shipping in U.S. only.

Payment by Pay Pal is preferred, please.

Many thanks,

Craig Roberts
Washington, DC

I agree--or at least snip it out of this thread and put it a links 
thread, or whatever...

Jim