Digital BW, The Print

Clayton,

>... I often pointed out that BO's luminance was due to 
> bare paper showing between the dots, ...

In that case, you'd love my old 7500.

Seriously, I understand why some people want the ultimate in smoothness.  BO
was never my cup of tea.  However, I'm using the 7500 on even 8 x 10s, and
with LLK in the highlights I have yet to see an actual photo that is
affected negatively by the fine-grained structure (i.e., dots) one can see
in test strips upon very close inspection.  There is no way I'd give up the
control of the image tone that I have for more smoothness.

> So I'm curious about how the 2200/K4+/RIP prints look in 
> this regard.  Is it completely dotless with full paper 
> coverage, or is there some bare paper showing with just lighter 
> ink for the dots so it appears smoother? 
> If you print the same image on this and 2400/ABW is 
> there a difference in the luminance?

I suspect a much of it is subjective, but it could be that the impression of
"luminance" you're speaking of comes, as you've said, from the bare paper
showing thought the dots to some extent.  Perhaps some "dottiness" gives a
perception of detail in the spectral highlights.  While the bare paper
should show though for the very brightest, but very small points, just as
the ink is starting to flow there could be a transition point where there is
some optimum dot frequency.  If this is the case, then the two approaches
would be the similar in that both the 2200 K4+ and 2400 ABW will use LLK,
and I think they have about the same dot size.  Where they might differ is
that with the 2200 I do not put any of the color inks in the first couple of
steps (of the 256).  I don't know if the Epson driver also holds the colors
out of those ultimate highlights.


>... I hope there is no condescension in the phrase "just want to 
> push the button". 

None intended.  I am in an effort to reduce the amount of time I spend on
the technical end of things also.  My gallery and other responsibilities
this next year are such that I just won't have as much time for playing with
technology just for the fun of it.  If my 7500 crashes, I may be near the
front of the line of 3800 purchasers. 

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com