QTR-Quadtone RIP

Hi John,

I have an Epson 2200 loaded with the Piezography K7 inset.  I also
have an Epson R2400 loaded with Epson's K3 inset.  As a result, I've
been able to compare both inksets using the same image and paper. 
I've also used the MIS Ultratone inks in the 2200.  Overall, the
R2400/K3 does a great job in BW mode but the Piezography K7 does give
somewhat smoother tonal transitions.  The Piezography K7 inkset is
also superior to the MIS Ultratone inks since the K7 inks do not clog
the printer, whereas the MIS inks frequently did.    

Regarding the quality of the K7 inks compared to the Epson R2400 BW
mode prints, I've noticed the following:  The R2400/K3 prints are
excellent.  There is no color cast and it is difficult to tell the
difference between a BW image printed using the R2400/K3 (matt black
in this case) vs. the 2200/K7.  However, close inspection of images
with fine tonal gradations reveal that the 2200/K7 print is noticeably
superior in its ability to generate very smooth and soft tonal
transitions.  This is not to say that the 2400/K3 transitions were not
excellent.  Instead, it is to say that the 2200/K7 prints were
superior even to the excellent 2400/K3 prints.  To my eye, the
differences are only noticeable in the transitions in the mid to high
tones.  They are fine but are not hard to see.  The shadows looked
pretty much the same to me.  The tone produced by the K7 inkset
closely matches what I would call truly neutral gray.  It also looks
very close to neutral gray produced by the R2400/K3 inks.  All images
were printed on Epson Enhanced Matte (EEM) paper.  The R2400 prints
were made with Epson's curves for EEM and the BW driver.  The 2200
prints were made with Quad tone RIP and the curves for EEM.  Attempts
to fiddle with the images in Photoshop to get the 2400/K3 print to the
level of the 2200 print were not successful.  There was always a bit
of a difference.  

The test described above was the only one I've done so far, and it was
all with visual inspection.  Perhaps making my own curves for the 2400
and tweaking them will bring those prints to the same smoothness as
the 2200/K7 prints.  Of course, the same tweaking might also improve
the 2200/K7 prints to a quality beyond where they are now.

So, the K7 inset produces outstanding results.  It compares favorably
and is slightly superior to the 2400/K3 BW mode prints and to prints
using MIS Ultratone inks in the 2200.  Importantly, the K7 insets have
never once clogged the printer.  Unfortunately, I cannot say the same
for the MIS inks.  

With all of that said, my view is that the R2400/K3 prints and the
2200/K7 prints are so close in quality that it will not be worth it
for most R2400 owners to consider the K7 inkset.  My original plan was
to buy the 2400 and then sell the 2200.  But I've decided to keep both
only because it lets me use the R2400 for color and glossy prints and
the 2200 for matte BW and because I'm perhaps a bit too picky about BW
image quality.

Finally, please note a recent post by me regarding problems with QTR
for Windows and the Epson 2200 printer.  It does not address image
quality, but instead a problem with the program's ability to
communicate with or control the printer.   


Best,

Tony

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "john dean" <deanwork2003@y...> wrote:
> Who is using QTR with K7 Piezzotone, and how is it working for you.
> 
> John