Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "David Keenan" <ausdlk@...> 
wrote:
>I've had the 2400 for about four months now and I love it. When I want a neutral or toned 
B&W print I use ABW. I can't measure Dmax but since I use both RC and "Fiber Glossy" 
papers black is always black. On prints that have a classic bell curve histogram I see a 
smooth transition from black to grey to white. 

Although it only has two presets for warm and cool (really cold I think), it's been fun 
coming up with my own custom tones. For example, try Horizontal (+10), Vertical (-20) 
for a mildish selenium look.

This printer has taken a lot of angst out of printing for me and for that I'm grateful. For 
those who like to "tinker" - tinker away. In the end it all comes down to the print. When we 
look at a finished print and it gives us that relaxed feeling of satisfaction, the method we 
use to get there doesn't matter.

Steve
> I have made many prints on an Epson R2400 using ABW mode and now that I have
> a 3800, I continue to rely on ABW.
> 
> With my new 3800, I profiled all my papers over (too many) hours using the
> "extended gray" feature of the latest version of PrintFix Pro and did some
> print comparisons. The ABW prints were better in my (and other) opinions.
> The shadows were cleaner for sure.
> 
> I haven't used my copy of QTR since my 2200 died and I replaced it with a
> R2400.
> 
> Still for some reason I feel inadequate even though I am quite happy with
> the prints I make especially on Innova F-type paper...
> 
> My burning question is why do other printers find using ICC profiles,
> dedicated inksets, QTR , etc. valuable and spend so much time with  it all?
> Are their prints that much better then what the Epson driver can do in ABW
> to make all the extra work (hassle, in my opinion) worth it?
> 
> Or do these printers have an inherent "tinkerers mentality" (that I clearly
> lack) that makes this fun for them and that's why they choose the extra
> effort?
> 
> Bottomline -- does this effort show up in the prints?
> 
> Dave.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Portfolio: www.david-keenan.com/portfolio
> Web Site: www.david-keenan.com
> 2007 PAW: www.david-keenan.com/paw
> 
> 
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