Good Printer for Monochrom images

[Wilkes]

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As a recent and very happy owner of the M10M, it dawns on me to tap the wisdom of this forum for recommendations for a high quality printer.  Does a printer dedicated to b & w exist ?

Assuming, inkjet, can one limit the inks used to the different blacks and grey ?  

I have not had this much fun since the sixties.  And now, I do not have to decide between Tri-X, Plus X or even Panatomic X.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

 

 

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[marcg]

You can "convert" a number of printers. Can find out all about it here https://piezography.com/about/mystory/and here https://www.cone-editions.com/about

if you want to read some very interesting advice then go here http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/

if you are going to get into it then you will need this http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRoverview.html

 

 

 

[marcg]

You should think about getting a good monitor and learn to calibrate it with good calibration tools

[Wilkes]

The links you have provided are much appreciated.  Just what I needed.   A superior monitor also makes a lot of sense.  

 

Thank you very much. 

[Jeff S]

You’ll find tons of discussion in the Digital Post Processing part of the forum.  Piezo, as noted is a fine, dedicated b/w process, but one can also achieve fine results using color inks from a modern Epson like the P800 (P900 on the way). I use ImagePrint to further refine my b/w (and color) print results.  It’s far more flexible than Piezo.

Jeff

[marcg]

Yes, ImagePrint is very highly rated – and loadsamoney

[Jeff S]

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12 minutes ago, marcg said:

Yes, ImagePrint is very highly rated – and loadsamoney

It also includes superb profiles, for virtually all papers (and lighting conditions).  I would need to spend almost double the amount on custom profiling gear for that benefit alone, plus all the labor and fuss required.

Jeff

[marcg]

I don't dispute what you say. ImagePrint is excellent. But it is hugely expensive. It's the kind of expense professionals will go to because they use it that much and also the expenses tax deductible

[Jeff S]

11 minutes ago, marcg said:

I don't dispute what you say. ImagePrint is excellent. But it is hugely expensive. It's the kind of expense professionals will go to because they use it that much and also the expenses tax deductible

Piezo isn’t cheap, especially if one also needs a color setup and/or requires multiple ink sets.  I’m not a pro, and neither are several of my friend, all of us thrilled with IP.  The $895 cost (for 17 inch printer) is roughly equivalent to a couple sets of inks, and is a nit compared to what I spend on cameras, lenses, bags, computer gear, etc...for even more bang for the buck.  YMMV.

George DeWolfe, who IS a pro and an excellent b/w printer, prefers IP over Piezo, Epson ABW, etc as a b/w solution, as explained at the end of this old article (and IP has improved greatly since then).

https://luminous-landscape.com/bw-master-print/

Jeff

[zeitz]

I benefitted greatly from working with a Hahnemuehle certified printer in my area.  In addition to learning his workflow, he sold me my Eizo monitor, advised me on which printer to buy and made custom profiles for the papers I use that are not Hahnemuehle products.  (I also got to try a Phase One monochrome camera.)

There are four Hahnemuehle certified printers in in the New York area.  Two are in Brooklyn, one is in Peekskill, the other is in Beacon.  Paying one of them for a one hour lesson would go very far in getting you started on the right path.  I would think that one of them would be happy to offer you a training session.

I also benefitted greatly from a workshop in Santa Fe, NM, in which Alan Ross is one of the instructors.  I was introduced to this workshop through the Hahnemuehle printer.  Alan worked for Ansel Adams and still prints Ansel's negatives.  Alan is also a master digital printer, using Photoshop and a Canon iPF printer.   He offers direct one-on-one instruction.  In the COVID era he may do remote training.  But spending a few hours with him in Santa Fe to learn his entire workflow is very instructive and great fun.  Alan is quite a gentleman and an excellent instructor.

[Wilkes]

The different systems each sound superb.   I will learn more about them.  
 

Further, attending a workshop at the level of Hahnemuehle makes great sense.  Thank all of you for concrete and usable suggestions.  
 

Additionally, I am now aware of a  post Processing Section, which I should have found independently.  Thank you. 

[kinch123]

18 hours ago, marcg said:

You should think about getting a good monitor and learn to calibrate it with good calibration tools

Any Radiologists here who have looked at post-processed Monochrom-M output on medical grade grey scale LCD panels?