Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Jules" 
<jules50uk@...> wrote:
>
>  We are in the b&w portrait business and have been selling siver
> gelatin prints for the last twenty years. Last Xmas we decided to go
> digital. Not because we wanted to but because the Agfa film and 
papers
> that we had for years used with beatiful results went out of 
business.
>  I had previously tried the Epson 2100/2200 using the ImagePrint 
rip.
> This produced pretty good results but still with considerable
> metermerism and bronzing. 
>  We have now bought an Epson 4800 and after many teething problems
> (including the fact that the Mac OSX cannot drive the printer 
without
> subtle banding) we are getting stunning results.  
>  We now work on the Mac and print from a PC. Good professional
> profiles are a must but we have not found it necessary tp use
> ImagePrint on the PC but Print straight from the (horrible) PS/Epson
> print interface.
>  So, in conclusion, I cannot talk for printers I have not tried but
> the 4800 will give you very good results. but you have to work at 
it.
> Tweaking in PhotoShop is important. Conversion methods from Colour 
to
> B&W are important. A steady workflow is as well. When printing a 
lot 
> I get the best results as one 'keeps one's hand in' and continually
> check what is happening. Doing the od print is more difficult.
>   Jules
> 

Jules,

The printer is only one aspect, the inks are another.
I use the 2200, John Cone K7 inks, and QTR. The B&Ws can be simply 
stunning.

The only thing I don't recommend is the 2200. Way Too Slow.

Regards

Jules (Yeah me too  :- )