Digital BW, The Print

"HarryB" <hrblaine@...> wrote:
>
> Please - tell me something about B/W printing that I don't know.  

You guys know it all already!

On my various B&W fronts there is a lot action, much of which, however, is a bit OT for this forum.  

With respect to digital printing, the benchmark for longevity (100% carbon) has been established as far as I'm concerned.  It's done, for the most part.  So, it's time to move on to other things.

An exception in the carbon ink area for me is that an Epson Work Force 1100 is on its way here, so that I can take the "EZ" workflow, including Eboni-6 version, to 13" printers.  We might also put on a short printing workshop after the Elverhoj photo restoration show, using the 1100 with MIS EZ warm (100% carbon) to show how sepia toned, 100% carbon prints can be made in the easiest and cheapest fashion.

Also ink & printing related, the advanced dye project is progressing. A huge Noritsu advanced black dye ink cart sits on my desk (with Epson and Seiko names clearly marked on it).  We'll have some fun exploring this new potential. 


At the front of my desk, the January-February Elverhoj Centennial show is printed (MIS PK, LK, and LLK on Museo Silver Rag via Epson 7800), and mounting starts today at Samy's.  The book/catalog is getting close.  

See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Solvang-Sign-before-after.jpg for a brief (non-sepia) preview.

I was also interested to see the recent Luminous Landscape "2010 Mini Medium Format Shoot-out" at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/2010_mini_medium_format_shoot_out.shtml

Of particular note to those who like to print large format B&W display images, yet carry the lightest equipment, note this comment by the reviewers: "we observe that the Leica [M9] files have the best sharpness and resolution of all compared here. ... The real surprise ... was the Leica print.  At [13x19"] at 300 dpi, we are just outside the M9's native resolution.  Even on close inspection, the Leica achieves upwards of 95% of the quality of the MFSLRs."

With proper workflows, I think I can push that upward.  We're getting into resolutions where the optics are the limiting factors.  Just as the relatively symmetrical medium format wide angle of the Bronica RF 645 wiped out my Rollei SL66's retrofocus Zeiss Distagon, the "35 mm" rangefinder wide angles can even challenge the best medium format wide angle optics in terms of the information that can be transmitted.

See,for example http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Leica-v-Zeiss-Hasselblad.jpg  The Leica wins.

Cosina ("Voigtlander") and Zeiss are also beating on each other in this rangefinder M-mount market, and the results of this competition are impressive.  I expect the compatible digital bodies will have a similar spread of competitive alternatives in the future. It just keeps getting better.

Enjoy the ride.  I am.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com