Digital BW, The Print

> From: john dean <deanwork2003@...>

> 
> That is an excellent dmax on rag.
> 
> You also have the advantage if this stuff does work of single
> universal black, right?

Yes this is the one ink.

>If that is so that is a huge advantage for a
> lot of people, and someting that Epson hasn't come up with, except the
> "archival" black that didn't have the d max of MK on matte media. It
> apparenty had some dye in it.
> 
> As for the chemestry of any of these inks it seems like we know very
> little about all the secret components, encapsulation, and how this
> all works together. I'm sure the deconstructors at MIS, and whoever
> their chemists are know a lot more about Ultrachrome composition
> than we do. They just aren't talking either.
> 
> Really I don't care what is in the mix as long as it prints well and
> holds up. 

I agree

>That is where we get bogged down; who do we trust to do the
> testing. Doing one's own fade testing is better than nothing but
> limited in real accuracy to say the least.

Yes.  Personally I think the only tests that matter are side by side
comparative tests similar to the ones Paul does.  One can of course continue
to debate whether the light exposure and all-important humidity is
"representative" but at least they are side by side.  Of course there are
also longevity issues other than light exposure.  I don't mind who does the
tests so long as they are independent and capable.  It doesn't have to be
Wilhelm.  And of course I'd also like to see our own amateur tests done as
well.

There's a long way to go on this side of things for these inks....But if
they only produced a normal black then I wouldn't bother looking out for the
results.


> 
> How is the metamerism? I suspect it is there. It is with the 1270
> hybred inks.
> 


I have jut done a QTR curve with the K (limit 45%, boost 50%) and LK (limit
50%) ink.  The resultant greyscale is quite cool. I guess I need to add some
yellow to warm it (?).  The first print has just rolled off now (HPR) and I
can't see any colour shifts, although it's a very grey day here and so my
daylight vs halogen comparison is just first impressions.  The print looks
very good for a quick hack version.  I did not like the Epson 2100 driver
prints I did earlier but then that should be no surprise to anyone.

Steve