Re: Digital Negatives?

Hi George,

I haven't tested the 1160, though it has been a good printer from everything
I have heard for inkjet prints—it was quite a workhorse for quad black inks.

If you are currently using dye based inks, I would stick with those, because
they will give you more density than pigment inks. The problem with 3rd
party pigment inks is that many of them do not work well with Pictorico OHP film.

My method uses inks like filters to match the density range of the negative
exactly to the exposure scale of the paper or process you are using. Some of
the earlier printers are "weak" on density. For example, the Epson 1200 dye
inks had much less density than the Epson 1280. The work-around for this, if
it is possible, is to adjust the contrast of the processs or paper grade to a
higher contrast and that might work. If that doesn't do it, use all the
inks in making the negative, including black ink, though the black ink may give
grainy highlights.

While I don't suggest that people need to run out and shell out a lot of
money for a new printer, eventually people do upgrade. Currently the Epson 2200,
Epson 1280 are probably the best choices out there for making really fine
desktop negatives. The Color Density Range Method has some real advantages in
that for most processes you cannot detect digital or printer artifacts. I'm
reviewing a portfolio of 20 prints right now that Dick Arentz made using my method
—you wouldn't be able to tell that he used digital negatives from Epson
2200/4000 printers to print them—tonality is great and detail is great.

Best Wishes,
Mark Nelson
Purchase the eBook & System for Your Own Custom Workflow@
Precision Digital Negatives
Credit Card & Paypal now accepted—A newly designed
31 Step Tablet Now Available
www.MarkINelsonPhoto.com

In a message dated 12/11/04 9:13:13 AM, glsmyth@myway.com writes:

>
> Mark -
>
> No problem with the plug, it is on topic.  I am using an Epson Color 1160,
> which can be called an old printer, though it allows me to go to  13X19.  Were
> I to use pigmented inks in it do you think that I would be able to get the
> proper density?  I purchased some Pictorico OCP Transparency Film thinking
> that that would help, which it did, but not enough.  I guess if I have to crank
> out some cash for a new printer I can do that, but would prefer to spend the
> money on film and paper. <g>
>
> Cheers -
>
> george
>

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Received on Sat Dec 11 10:03:24 2004