Digital BW, The Print

Paul:  It's good to know MIS is concerned about the issue and plans 
more extensive QC.  I contacted them about my problem with prints 
being too light after changing the gray ("color") cartridge.  They 
sent me a new cartridge with a batch number one greater than the 
problem cart.  I'm sending the problem cart back to them for testing. 

On an initial print of the purge6 file, the "light magenta" (lightest 
gray) ink seemed a smidge darker, but initial prints look the same as 
those from the "too light" cart they replaced.  I've since had a 
workload at work that precluded much printing at home, so I haven't 
looked into it further.  

Maddening, because I had just printed this picture with the old cart, 
and it was one of the best B&W prints I'd ever made.  All the subtle 
tone in the young woman's face was in the print, beautifully.

http://users.2alpha.com/~pklein/currentpics/80280012ShallWeDance.htm

Then I changed carts, and the new prints show almost no tone in her 
cheek, with the whole print lightened a bit overall.

Any suggestions?  Maybe add the color controls in the 1280 driver and 
tweak the sliders (which?) until things match the old prints?

This is very perplexing.  I've relied on MIS for a consistent 
product. Between their ink and your curves, I've had consistency for 
two years, and now, things are different.  It appears from this 
thread that I'm not the only one.  So I do hope they can solve this 
issue.

--Peter

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@...> wrote:
>
> >...There is a file on 
> >the MIS site called PurgePattern6 or something like that...
> 
> >I printed a 3-inch section of this file, and it does look like the 
> >Light Magenta position (which holds the lightest gray ink) might 
be a 
> >bit too light...
> 
> This is probably the easiest way to test for ink consistency in 
carts.  I
> posted test files at http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/Test-files.htm 
that use
> this method.  The scans are not accurate enough for good QC except 
to see if
> the inks are in the correct positions.
> 
> The method I use for bulk inks that avoids the need to load any 
inks is at
> http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/Ink_QC.pdf
> 
> I have not been in touch with MIS since returning from the Sierras, 
but they
> were about to invest in some expensive lab equipment to improve the
> consistency of inks.  I'll send the thread relating to this to them 
to
> further prod them into action.  The proprietor is very concerned 
with the
> issue.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>