Digital BW, The Print

Hi folks,

OK it's time for me to get a bit more involved in curve making, etc. 
in B&W printing. I've been eyeballing it for some time and am pretty 
happy with the results I am looking for more control over the prints 
through making my own curves.

I'm requesting a bit of mentoring in densitometers.

I'm mostly a film shooter, I scan the negs in to print. I'm using a 
2200 and QTR, I am using an MIS Ebony cart in place of the standard 
Epson black and it's great (Thanks Paul R.) however I need to refine 
it a bit.

I've never messed with them but I see many densitometers on eBay from 
60 bucks on up. What's a "good" densitometer? What brands are 
acceptable (I know, lots of opinions there)?

Thanks for any thoughts that you are generous enough to share.

Jules

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "lulalake_1999"
<lulalake_1999@y...> wrote:
...
> I've never messed with them but I see many densitometers on eBay from 
> 60 bucks on up. What's a "good" densitometer? What brands are 
> acceptable (I know, lots of opinions there)?
...

Jules,

I'm only familiar with a few Macbeth instruments, and my experience
with densitometers is mostly in cinematography and photography rather
than printing, so this is a bit biased. I'll only mention those that
can do visual reflection measurements, because I guess that is what
you are most interested in.

The TR924 is a good all-round photo densitometer. It has both
transmission and reflection heads. It has visual (Wratten 106 filter,
amber, to mimic the spectral response of the eye), Status A and Status
M RGB channels for transmission; and visual and Status A RGB for
reflection. Status A filters are glass spectral interference
(dichroic) filters for use with prints and transparencies intended for
viewing. Status M filters are used for negative and interpositive
materials. The TR524 and TR1224 are similar. The RD919 is the
reflection-only equivalent.

The RD918 is similar to the 919, but it has Status I narrowband RGB
filters instead of Status A, in addition to the visual. I'm afraid
that I have no knowledge of Status I densitometry, other than that it
is intended for use with inks.

Best,
Helen

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "helen_bach2003" 
<helenbach@h...> wrote:
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "lulalake_1999"
> <lulalake_1999@y...> wrote:
> ...
> > I've never messed with them but I see many densitometers on eBay 
from 
> > 60 bucks on up. What's a "good" densitometer? What brands are 
> > acceptable (I know, lots of opinions there)?
> ...
> 
> Jules,
> 
> I'm only familiar with a few Macbeth instruments, and my experience
> with densitometers is mostly in cinematography and photography 
rather
> than printing, so this is a bit biased. I'll only mention those that
> can do visual reflection measurements, because I guess that is what
> you are most interested in.
> 
> The TR924 is a good all-round photo densitometer. It has both
> transmission and reflection heads. It has visual (Wratten 106 
filter,
> amber, to mimic the spectral response of the eye), Status A and 
Status
> M RGB channels for transmission; and visual and Status A RGB for
> reflection. Status A filters are glass spectral interference
> (dichroic) filters for use with prints and transparencies intended 
for
> viewing. Status M filters are used for negative and interpositive
> materials. The TR524 and TR1224 are similar. The RD919 is the
> reflection-only equivalent.
> 
> The RD918 is similar to the 919, but it has Status I narrowband RGB
> filters instead of Status A, in addition to the visual. I'm afraid
> that I have no knowledge of Status I densitometry, other than that 
it
> is intended for use with inks.
> 
> Best,
> Helen


Thanks so much Helen,

I assume that the reflection head would be the one for checking 
prints so I'll investigate those.
Also thank you for your posts on the Museo Silver Rag paper. I'm 
looking forward to trying it.

Jules