Digital BW, The Print

I have recently started this process with my Epson 3800 for photo as against matt papers.  I have a continuous feed system which I feed with the MIS inks for the Epson 2400 inks because I understood that the Epson inks for both machines were the same.

My previous QTR experience has been with the three Eboni and the three PKN black(?) inks on my Epson 1800.  In these systems I have no control over hues and the matter is reduced to one of linearization.  I have thus little experience behind me.

Even though I worked on QTR first with Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl and achieved an imperfect neutral and reasonably linear profile. I have consumed over 30 A4 sheets of Ilford Galerie Silk Fiber.  I was able to achieve a reasonably linear curve several times, but obtaining low Lab positive `a' values and low `b' values was beyond my skills, patience or endurance – the law of unexpected consequences came into play.  The `a' values varied between - 0.29 and +1.32 whilst the `b' values lay between –2.86 (in the deep shadows where hue is not really visible) and +5.24.  Technically positive `b'values indicate yellow hues but, as QTR does not print with yellow, maybe this is a measure of the paper base?  Unfortunately there is just a hint of green in the prints.  How can this be?

With this L curve I used Create ICC to have a profile to use with ABW.  I suspect MIS's PK inks are more warm than Epson's.  I need to adjust the resulting curves with Photoshop curves until I had a linear profile.  I then tried, iteratively, to find a neutral setting but then the profile had to be changed again.  The ABW values I ended up with, using the `light' setting were H=-15 and V=-73, should that be of help to you.

I tried a `sepia' setting but prefer more of a dark chocolate look.  I also dislike how the hues go to black at Dmax.  I would rather sacrifice the Dmax for a gentle loss of hue towards a lower Dmax.  

One of the reasons for using QTR was the apparent reduction of longevity if yellow pigments are used.  With ABW and warm tones that argument falls by the way and so I seen no powerful argument against using my colour profiles to achieve my desired look.  I am happy to say that I like the result.

ColinGRUK

www.colinconwayphotography.com


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "vicpug" <vicpug@...> wrote:
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> I have been playing with 3rd party inks in a 3800 refill system. Neutral ABW prints are no longer neutral with the new inks. How does one go about profiling 3rd party inks to make ABW print totally neutral.  Also how do you create a Quadtone B&W neutral profile for a 3rd party inkset.   cheers and thanks
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