I would like to hear form the members what articles they’d like to see here on the site.

Currently I have a handful in the works, by a handful of different members and will announce the topics once they have reached the next milestone.


Your contributions to these requests are important and appreciated.

jdc

g'day John

i'd like an article on the basics of starting to create inkjet negs without getting too complicated too fast

the very basics of -
why?

what are the considerations of/differences to traditional LF negs?

are complicated curves/colours really necessary?

what materials?

how to handle & store digital negs?

how to use/expose digital negs?

??? what else do i need to know to at least get started?

thnx
Ray

Great Ray. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're looking fro a Digital Neg Primer.

J D Callow,

Something on scanning for various end products, e.g. web, repro, inkjet etc. 'An introduction to professional results with scanning' if you will.

Tom.

That is perfect Tom. I think it might even be good to break it out into two areas; an abstract on scanning w/out regard to use; and image modification as it applies to use. The latter could be used for scans and capture.

In any event, scanning is a must.

How about some info on inkjet inks. Are OEM inks really better than third party inks? Why? What about longevity? How about the ink sets for B&W printing (Lyson?) -- are they "worth it?"

That is perfect Tom. I think it might even be good to break it out into two areas; an abstract on scanning w/out regard to use; and image modification as it applies to use. The latter could be used for scans and capture.

In any event, scanning is a must.

I agree. Too often the issues involved seem to get confused, and your approach would offer a much better grounding.

Tom.

How about some info on inkjet inks. Are OEM inks really better than third party inks? Why? What about longevity? How about the ink sets for B&W printing (Lyson?) -- are they "worth it?"
Bob,

I've often wondered why one of the photo mags that have technical articles don't do an article on the various brands of inks.

I think the reality is that writing an objective article might be very difficult to do and also expensive since there are so many printers, papers, etc.

As far as Lyson inks go, I've never used them but I've read and heard that they tend to clog easily.

Don Bryant

Ink reviews would be a difficult subject. Simply matching one inkset and a common group of output mediums (matte, luster, gloss) is a tough job. Add the inclusion of some of the not so common materials (canvas, cold and hot pressed papers, transmissive, and the endless variety of really special and often very cool materials) and it can quickly become a nightmare.

How about some info on inkjet inks. Are OEM inks really better than third party inks? Why? What about longevity? How about the ink sets for B&W printing (Lyson?) -- are they "worth it?"

I've used the Lyson Small Gamut inks for about 4 years in an Epson 1160 and have had very little problem with clogging. It has happened when I haven't used the printer in a long while. They do suffer slightly from metamerism so I tend to have them looking slightly warm under tungsten and then this gives neutral under daylight. Other way round gives greenish hue in daylight which I find unattractive. No problem with fading in my experience.

I have been using a profile given to me via the Lyson rep. Robert White have now worked out how to make custom ICC profiles for these SG inks. I haven't tried since I recently bought an Epson 7800 and want to use the K3 inks.

Have also used the Lyson Fotonic inks with a continuous ink system in an Epson 1290S for a similar period. Giving very vibrant colours, however they do fade when put in strong sunlight.

HTH