Digital BW, The Print

Thanks for that report Mark. This is pretty much what I've heard 
elsewhere. Somehow I think Crane knew about the direction Epson was 
going with K3 (just my theory)and beat everybody to the punch. As 
for the very slight bronzing with K2 UC, hell, that's what they make 
Premier Art Spray  for and that will only increase you dmax. I'm 
glad an American company has finally produced a product worth 
buying. It gives me some hope.

John



--- In 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "mark_gatehouse" 
<mark_gatehouse@y...> wrote:
>
> It's a very nice paper, though not quite 100% there yet, so I hope 
> Crane will tweak it in response to the beta testing.
> 
> In some ways it is a bit similar to air dried fibre based paper - 
but 
> not really/not quite. In fact this is one of the first papers that 
> might show how ink printing can go forward on it's own instead of 
> either trying to copy darkroom prints (which is what the RC papers 
> do) or trying to "make do" with what we can ( which is what the 
> art/rag papers really do).
> 
> The paper has a really nice look and feel to it and it is almost 
> unique. Best of all it has very nice deep blacks - but as 
> importantly, extremely good rich shadow detail - more than any rag 
> paper of used of the dozens and dozens I've tried over the last 8-
10 
> years. It also has good highlights and mid tones and is very 
crisp. 
> It gives a very neutral B&W print, but the most impressive think 
is 
> the sense of depth in the prints - it doesn't feel like it sits on 
> the surface like the RC prints do - and it obviously doesn't have 
> the "flat" look of the rag papers. The pritns are rich and luscious
> 
> It is supposed to be based on Cranes excellent 100% rag base, so 
if 
> it lives up to that in terms of longevity it will be a big plus. 
It 
> seems a very tough paper too - resists scratching and moisture
> 
> Only downside was slight bronzing with the original UC PK 
(MK/Ebony 
> was a no go - dry ink comes off on your fingers) using QTR. The 
> bronzing (which is more like silvering really) was reduced pretty 
> well with a spray of Print Guard - and even without that is 
nowhere 
> near the horrible bronzing on Photo Rag Satin (?) or Premier Art's 
> equivalent. I would imagine the new inks in the 2400/4800 etc will 
> have no bronzing problem?
> 
> Potentially a really good paper - innovative and different. 
Hopefully 
> it will live up to these first trials. It looks better than almost 
> anything I've used before - and if the bronzing/silvering goes 
with 
> the newer epson inks, it's a big step forward.
>