Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Joost Horsten"
<j.h.j.h@...> wrote:
>
> John, Tyler,
>
> I get your point. But a question: not having a large format printer
> myself, I understand that changing cartridges is not something you
> want to do on a regular basis (I don't care on my desktop 2100).

You lose some ink that needs to be purged from the line, yes. Is that
what you mean?

> That
> means you have to choose between a K7 set in a certain tone (warm,
> neutral whatsoever) or a mixed K3 or K4 set(e.g. K, warm LK, LLK and
> LLLK, cool LK, LLK and LLLK) to allow for different tones per image
> or variable split tone curves. That's what I have with UT3D set +
> QTR.

Yes you are right, though I'm not familiar with the MIS sets, so not
aware of every possible option. So I assume having variable hues
options at your fingertips is important to you? I guess an obvious
question is- why are you changing inksets at this point if they do
what you want?

> Given that choice: what would you choose and why?

Assuming you want to stick with some kind of variable hue option, my
only experience is with the OEM inks and a color approach, and a dual
quad (warm/cool) shared K approach in a 7 ink printer.
I guess it's pretty clear what my personal preference is at this
point, but think all approaches need to be considered based on
particular personal needs (jeez, sounds like selecting a spouse).
With the desktop printers, popping different hued K7 carts out just
seems totally cool. Seems to me anything you might want is at your
fingertips along with great photographic image structure. I may just
find a used 2200 or 1800 soon and begin playing with that when all the
sets are available.
I'm afraid I can't make any comments about viable MIS solutions, I'm
sure there are some totaly valid.

> Another, perhaps related, question: isn't there a big difference
> between the variable size dot 7600 and the older fixed size dot
> models?

That I can't answer from direct experience. One friend complained he
couldn't meet his 7000 dmax with the smaller dot 7600. At that time
variable dot was not an option for him with multiple blacks. On the
other hand he liked the slightly smoother highlights.
Since extraordinary control of variable dots in each ink separately is
now available in the software I use, the best of both worlds is
available, but a major, I mean major, task to sort out and set up for
multiple K setups. I don't recommend it to anyone...
How QTR and IJC may deal with this could be entirely different, and
those users would have to reply. It could very possibly be a snap and
behind the scenes. I do know that the more Ks you add, the harder it
is to linearize variable dot setups.
Again it depends on the nature of your source data, your files, and
your particular needs. To many these differences are simply
irrelevant. Also, when you get up to and over 4 Ks, dot size relevance
diminishes cconsiderably and the lighter inks and coverage take care
of that in their own way.
>
> Combining the two points above, the better choice would seem the me a
> dual tone K3/K4 set with variable dot printer like the 7600. Am I
> correct?

Obviously it would be a nice setup, and similar to my experience. But
I can only  comment on the dual K4 and OEM approaches. Also, many
expect more K4 hue extremes, and with the inks sets I use, it's more
like the difference between warm and cold darkroom papers than actual
toning. So if the other setups get more color that you may want,
that's a consideration as well.

How's that for no help at all???!!
Tyler