Digital BW, The Print

I agree with David Tobie's comments, but if you would like a
densitometer here's my rather dense two cents.

Do you have any need for a transmission densitometer (ie for film) or
is a reflection instrument (for prints) all that you need?

Though the final image tone depends on what I find pleasing rather
than what the densitometer says, I find colour readings helpful when
deciding on changes to the ink mix when neutralising a profile. You
should bear in mind that the filters used in a densitometer were
tailored for a particular process, and they may not be entirely
suitable for other applications. 

To save you searching back in the archives, here's what I wrote about
a month ago in reply to a similar question:

I'm only familiar with a few Macbeth instruments, and my experience
with densitometers is mostly in cinematography and photography rather
than printing, so this is a bit biased. I'll only mention those that
can do visual reflection measurements, because I guess that is what
you are most interested in.

The TR924 is a good all-round photo densitometer. It has both
transmission and reflection heads. It has visual (Wratten 106 filter,
amber, to mimic the spectral response of the eye), Status A and Status
M RGB channels for transmission; and visual and Status A RGB for
reflection. Status A filters are glass spectral interference
(dichroic) filters for use with prints and transparencies intended for
viewing. Status M filters are used for negative and interpositive
materials. The TR524 and TR1224 are similar. The RD919 is the
reflection-only equivalent.

The RD918 is similar to the 919, but it has Status I narrowband RGB
filters instead of Status A, in addition to the visual. I'm afraid
that I have no knowledge of Status I densitometry, other than that it
is intended for use with inks.

Addition for this time round:
Status T is a broadband filter set. Broadband filters overlap a
little, narrowband ones have gaps. They (Status T) are RGB or CMY
gelatin filters (R is a Wratten 25 or equiv, G is 61, B is 47) Most
Macbeth Status T densitometers either don't have visual filters or are
transmission only. The RD921 is a reflection-only Status T CMY
instrument that has a visual filter.

Any instrument that has gelatin filters is more likely to have faded
filters than a dichroic (interference) type. The green filter is
especially prone to fading.

Best,
Helen



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Peter Mc Mahon
<pmcm@...> wrote:
>
> Would appreciate info re Gretag DC19 densitometer.
> I have not attempted profile making before, but am keen to use the QTR 
> programme. My usage will be moderate, so minimum cost, within reason, 
> would be my requirement.
>  There are a large range of second hand densitometers available, all a 
> bit confusing. For using in conjunction with QTR, would the above 
> densitometer be suitable? or any other suggestions.
> comments appreciated.
> regards,
> Peter
>