Digital BW, The Print

Well, first let me start by sayin hello to everyone, I look forward to
future discussions on this new world that I am entering into.

I have resisted digital for years.  I have been a tradional
photography "purist" in the worst sense.  Then last christmas I got a
D-70.  Still, I would only print color digitally.  I just didn't buy
into anything I was seeing, but of course it was mostly a
psychological resistence.

So, after months of deliberating, I finally decided it was time for me
to embrace this new B&W media.  I sucked it up and ordered a 2400.  I
figured that even if it took a while for me to warm up the B&W
capabilities, I would at least be able to start printing the majority
of my own color work here at home (sometimes I like to print really
large is why I say majority.)

Well, I got it out, set it up, and the darn thing was defective.  It
goes through the motions and I can even smell ink, but it doesn't put
a darn drop on the paper.  I spent an hour and a half on the phone
with Epson and they determined that there was something internally
wrong with the printer.  

Needless to say, this is not the kind of experience that a digital
resister needs to have.  On the positive side, Epson was very helpful
and are sending me a new one and a shipping label for the old one (the
only drawback being that they put a hold on my credit card for the
second one until the old one gets back to them.)

Well, sorry that my first post is a complaint, I look forward to many
positive interactions in the near future.

-Roderick

Hello Roderick,

>Well, first let me start by sayin hello to everyone, I look forward 
>to future discussions on this new world that I am entering into.

Welcome to the forum.  I think you'll find lots of good support here.


>I sucked it up and ordered a 2400...was defective.  
>Needless to say, this is not the kind of experience that a digital
>resister needs to have. 

I hope this won't give a bad starting impression of digital printing.
 We are dealing with machines that can malfunction, but getting a DOA
printer is not very common, at least by reports here.  I have a 2400
and it's been perfectly reliable, a really great printer.  I'm sure
your's will be also.

There are lots of ways to use the 2400, from simple to complex,
depending on your own inclinations.  There is a simple and very
effective workflow outlined in an article at the web link below.  It
can get you started right away with excellent results.

You're getting into it at a good time.  Just in the past year the
technology in all areas (printers, inks, papers) has improved to a
point where it's now really easy to get true archival fine art quality
results without a lot of extreme hurdles and difficulties.  I think
it's safe to say that the "pioneer days" are over, at least in terms
of hardship.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions.  I'm sure you'll get lots of
good replies.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

Clayton-

Thanks.  Actually, I already have that page you linke bookmarked on my
computer.  It seemed really helpful, although it's hard to absorb
without a functioning printer sitting in front of me.  :)

Thanks for the warm welcome and words of encouragement.

-Roderick

Hello, Roderick, and thanks for your post.

I'm looking forward to hearing how things go with your second 2400, 
because I have one - my first - in transit to me from Amazon. I'm 
also going to use it for color as well as B&W prints.


I'm not sure what to do about the ink set in the long term, so the 
first thing I'm going to do is order some more Epson cartridges from

<http://www.atlex.com/>

Unless you're already on to Atlex, you might want to check it out as 
source of Epson supplies with good prices and service. I guess it 
would be less good for me if I were in Florida along with Atlex, but 
I live out west and avoid sales tax by using Atlex.

Good luck.
--
Sam



At 2:40 PM +0000 12/31/05, Roderick Vesper wrote:

>
>Well, first let me start by sayin hello to everyone, I look forward to
>future discussions on this new world that I am entering into.
>
>I have resisted digital for years.  I have been a tradional
>photography "purist" in the worst sense.  Then last christmas I got a
>D-70.  Still, I would only print color digitally.  I just didn't buy
>into anything I was seeing, but of course it was mostly a
>psychological resistence.
>
>So, after months of deliberating, I finally decided it was time for me
>to embrace this new B&W media.  I sucked it up and ordered a 2400.  I
>figured that even if it took a while for me to warm up the B&W
>capabilities, I would at least be able to start printing the majority
>of my own color work here at home (sometimes I like to print really
>large is why I say majority.)
>
>Well, I got it out, set it up, and the darn thing was defective.  It
>goes through the motions and I can even smell ink, but it doesn't put
>a darn drop on the paper.  I spent an hour and a half on the phone
>with Epson and they determined that there was something internally
>wrong with the printer. 
>
>Needless to say, this is not the kind of experience that a digital
>resister needs to have.  On the positive side, Epson was very helpful
>and are sending me a new one and a shipping label for the old one (the
>only drawback being that they put a hold on my credit card for the
>second one until the old one gets back to them.)
>
>Well, sorry that my first post is a complaint, I look forward to many
>positive interactions in the near future.
>
>-Roderick