Digital BW, The Print

Jay, given that you said your priorities are: 
> 
> 1. Image quality
> 2. Simplicity of workflow
> 3. Longevity
> 4. Cost

I can recommend the solution I've just moved to. Granted, you're 
limited to prints that are only 8.5" x 11", but they can be much 
longer if you use 8.5x14 paper or cut down other papers. 

I got the Epson c84 printer ($69 refurbished from Epson's website) 
and the MIS EZ inks made for that printer. (one black and four gray 
cartridges for the black, magenta, cyan, and yellow cartridge slots) 
1) image quality is excellent
2) workflow is very simple (search for c84 for other comments about 
how tone is easily controlled from neutral to warm)
3) the inks are carbon-based pigment inks, quite archival
4) the printer is dirt cheap; the inks are $11 a cart, but the 
entire bulk ink feed system only costs $190, and that includes 4 oz. 
bottle of each of the four inks. 

It only cost me $120 to try this experiment, and I'm very happy with 
it. At first I had trouble with the prints being way too dark in the 
mid-tones, but then I tried an experiment that seems to have worked. 
I used Monaco EZcolor to profile my favorite matte paper. The test 
print was in B&W of course, but I just followed the EZcolor process 
as if it were all in color, and I was able to create a paper profile 
that creates a beautiful print. I was impressed. I'm now profiling 
the rest of my papers to make sure this wasn't a fluke. If it works 
out, I'll be posting my results here in more detail. 

Of course, if you want to make larger prints, this isn't the system 
for you, but for a dedicate B&W printer to augment my color setup, 
I'm very happy. 
Jim