Agent M10 Posted January 2, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 2, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) In the last issue or so of LensWork, I had read that the real revolution in photography was not in digital capture, but rather in printing. After reading that article, I set out to set up a digital darkroom/printingroom/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. We picked up a Spyder Elite 3, ImagePrint, an Epson 2400 and too many kinds of expensive paper (we had an old Nikon scanner). Frankly, it took a while to figure out the whole set up (best scan, calibration, gammas, dongles, yada, yada, yada). We printed out a few color shots and they looked hot, but we didn't have anything to compare them to. We looked around and decided to print a BW picture that we had hanging on one of our walls. We used Epson's Ultra Premium paper (not even our best paper) and the results were really incredible. The print that we had on the wall was printed by one of the best BW labs in the country, but the 2400 print exceeded that print in every respect - tonality, depth, detail - you name it. The difference was breathtaking. My wife remarked that the professional print looked like an old '50s photograph compared to our Epson print (now hanging on the wall). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Hi Agent M10, Take a look here Wow - What Incredible Prints. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Marquinius Posted January 3, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 3, 2008 I have almost the same setup, but am still figuring out B&W printing. It's almost "there", but still lacks something. I am using different kinds of paper, but .. hmmm .. But I'm sure it's me and not the printer! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent M10 Posted January 3, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted January 3, 2008 Marquinias, originally we did some prints with Epson's driver and the prints were good, but we didn't see what some of the experts were saying about the 2400. So, we went ahead and bought the stuff (Spyder, etc.) and took all the time to set it up. Frankly, it might have a lot to do with ImagePrint. We decided on that RIP because the guy over at Luminous Landscape has been using it for years and only had great things to say about it. I'm still blown away when I put R2400 print next to the photo lab's. I'd post them here, but I don't believe that a screen would bring out the differences. P.S. There are 3 new Baryta papers out and Epson's new Exhibition paper is supposed to carry the darkest darks yet. We've ordered the Ilford and are looking forward to the prints (all the papers have been sold out at B&H Photo). Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted January 3, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 3, 2008 I use the spyder as well, but will look into your other suggestions. About paper: you probably know that Ilford was sold and split up. Part went to a Japanese company (?) and part of the management set up a new company: Harman. as I understand it, the inkjet papers of Ilford went to Harman. after that they developped new papers under their own name, but with the experience of Ilford behind them. The thing I DON'T like about Epson papers, is that they print their name on the backside. Doesn't matter when in a frame, but loose at hand I think it is a bit of a bore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTD Posted January 3, 2008 Share #5 Posted January 3, 2008 The Ilford saga is a bit confusing. I was lucky enough to have some work printed by Harman and one of their very friendly staff explained what's gone on… Ilford was owned by a Swiss paper manufacturer. The 'Ilford' branded inkjet papers are still made by this firm. Ilford in Mobberley in Cheshire in the UK, which as Marquinius said was bought by the management, make the Harman branded papers and (confusingly) the black and white film and chemistry which is still banded 'Ilford'. The new Harman papers are in my opinion, exceptional. The matt paper is really like a real fibre based photographic print – but it's VERY matt and so won't suit everyone. I'm also impressed with the warm tone paper, as I used to be very fond of Agfa Portriga etc. According to Harman, Marquinius is not alone in not liking the manufacturers name on the back of the paper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucker.john Posted January 10, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 10, 2008 Choosing the right kind of inkjet paper for printing is the key to getting great looking prints. Using professional photo paper will give you the best results as they are especially designed for this purpose.If you want to print professional quality prints on your printer without the high cost of buying major brand-name paper then i suggest you go for inkjet papers from freephotopaper plus it's one of the best in quality satisfaction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted January 10, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, I bought (yep, I paid!) Quadtone RIP, bought some moree excellent Ilford paper and Harman paper, recalibrated my monitor and took some more time in setting up my prints. And boy ... you can see at one glance that the right combination of stuff leads to great prints. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boilerdoc Posted January 10, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 10, 2008 Right. The Epson Exhibition stuff is nice but $$$$$$$$!!!!! For the money the Ilford Gold Fibre Silk is without peer. Stunning B&Ws and color on it. Cheers.... Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted January 24, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 24, 2008 Steve, A bit late, but I bought the Ilford Gold Fibre Silk ... stunning results, especially B&W. Thanks heads up! Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian moore Posted January 27, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 27, 2008 Can anyone advise on a good Monitor - laptop or PC desktop? I use the R2400,Nikon scanner,Silverfast software,and the Epson UltraFine Art paper. However calibration of the monitor is critical as is the choice of monitor. A lot of my work is done on the move so I usually use a laptop,with a desktop is back in back in the office. The new iMACs seem to get good reviews. Any recommendations? Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simple1 Posted January 27, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 27, 2008 Ian, The iMacs are quite useful for this tyoe of work, however the latest model has a glossy screen whick makes accurate editting a bit iffy at times. The previous model, the all white ones, have a matte screen and can still be had for a decent price. Lee Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted January 27, 2008 Share #12 Posted January 27, 2008 Can anyone advise on a good Monitor ...... The new iMACs seem to get good reviews. You have got to be kidding:eek: :eek: No....You have got to be kidding! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted January 28, 2008 Share #13 Posted January 28, 2008 Ian, I wouldn't go for the new iMac. I've got the "old" one (white, non glossy screen) and that works OK. A friend has the new one and that's def not OK. I've got some more things on my wish list, but in the end I will buy a G5 plus a Apple HD Cinema screen. For now, the iMac ("old one") serves me well. Calibration is straight forward (no knobs to twiddle). I calibrate it 6500 kelvin 2.2 gamma (most of everybody has a PC, so I'd rather sync with that). Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted January 28, 2008 Share #14 Posted January 28, 2008 What is a RIP? Can someone answer that for me? Following advice on the forum I've invested in a R2400 and a Pantone ProHuey but I've not been aware that I need to RIP anything (thought that was a MP3 thing:-) LouisB Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted January 28, 2008 Share #15 Posted January 28, 2008 Louis, A RIP is (as far as I can translate it to any language I understand ) a printing driver, specialised to specific jobs. I use Quadtone and (although I don't know and so don't understand what's "under the hood"), the result is a technically better print: - better shadows - more detail in shadow - clearer highlights but also: - better way of putting the droplets on the paper - tighter way of same You can download Quadtone and try it out! Be sure to use the best papers, work through the screens when printing and set to highest dpi (28800) for best results. Marco ps: anybody with better understanding of this issue may tear my story in half and start all over, no offense taken. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted January 28, 2008 Share #16 Posted January 28, 2008 Marco Thanks for the explanation. For fifty-bucks (GBP 25) it wouldn't be the most expensive part of my purchase thus far! I'll try it out as and when I get my printer set up. Regards LouisB Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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