Hi Folks,

I've been using digital printers for a few years now to make digital negatives and as each generation of printers is introduced the output quality seems to improve. Sometimes marginally, sometimes more dramatically.

At Photkina this year Epson introduced the 3800 printer which has a new dither algorithm which could possiblly revolutionize the quality of digital inkjet negs.

I'm currently using an Epson 2200 with Pictorico OHP transparency film used to make alternative process prints. I'm hoping there is a possibility that the 3800 will break the silver gelatin barrier.

Recently I've learned that some folks are using inkjet paper to produce negatives for silver gelatin prints with very impressive results.

So what tools are people using for their inkjet negs and for which processes?

Don Bryant

Currently I'm going to start testing with an Epson R800. I know there are some issues with density ect... But I want to run some tests before I decide if its not acceptable. I would like to make digital negatives for Kallitypes and Silver Gel.

I have Pictorico OHP, White Film, and also some Kodak Encad Universal Backlit Film. I ran a few test prints on the Encad to see how it looks, but looking at it under light, it seems to show more grain than the Pictorico White Film. But I have a roll of it already, so I'll finish the tests and see how it prints on Silver Gel.

Regards,
Martin

I'm using pictorico transparency film with an epson stylus photo r200 for pt/pd.
Can't go bigger than letter size but It's a great combo. No grain issues.

Pictorico OHP and Epson R2400. Have not gone beyond letter size.

Picotrico OHP printed with an Epson 1270.
Thinking about upgrading the printer, but I've been using it so long and have my workflow designed for it that I think I'll keep using it until it craps out completely.

For me it is Pictorico OHP printed on both the 2200 and 7600 Epsons. My 7600 has MIS Carbon Pigs in it currently and it doesn't do as good a job. The MIS Inks don't dry as fast and are lacking somewhat in Dmax and I am considering going back to the Epson pigs as I have lost all interest in monochrome printing via digital methods.

B.

Currently I'm going to start testing with an Epson R800. I know there are some issues with density ect...

The R800 can do digital negatives but color ones never get the required density. I use Mark Nelson's PDN system and he suggested just doing the negatives in B&W, which has worked fine for me. I'm printing on POP, can't speak to any other medium.

Epson2200 and Photowarehouse OHP. I've got a friend with a 2400 so I may try and talk her into letting me run a couple sheets through that one to see if there's any big difference. I'm thinking that I may upgrade to the 3800 sometime next year for larger prints and the smaller dither... will have to see how they look.

I'm using an Epson 2200 and a 4000, withPictorico OHP for pt-pd. I'm also following Mark Nelson's PDN method with good results.

Keith.

Epson 7600 and OHP, using Mark's PDN calibration process. I have an Epson 2400 now as well, but was waiting for his version 2 update before calibrating that one.

The 3800 sounds nice.. only problem is there's no roll feed, so you're limited to either the 13x19" sheets, or cutting your own from the roll

The 3800 sounds nice.. only problem is there's no roll feed, so you're limited to either the 13x19" sheets, or cutting your own from the roll

I was thinking the same thing, Jim. Now that Canon and HP are coming out with pigment printers maybe that would also be a way to look over the new year.

Epson 1280 and OHP. I'm using Pyro-colorized negs a la Keith Schreiber. I have the PDN system, but haven't gone through the calibration process yet. I'm getting great results with what I'm doing now, so the motivation to go PDN hasn't been there. Also, I've been waiting for V.2 of PDN so I don't have to cover the same ground twice.

I'm using Pictorico OHP, an Epson 2200 and PDN for making pd negatives. I too am waiting for V2 of PDN as I need to tweek my calibration and I don't want to do it twice. However, V1 of PDN works very well and has allowed me to produce some very good prints without a lot of effort.

Allen

I'm using Pictorico OHP, an Epson 2200 and PDN for making pd negatives. I too am waiting for V2 of PDN as I need to tweek my calibration and I don't want to do it twice. However, V1 of PDN works very well and has allowed me to produce some very good prints without a lot of effort.

Allen

I think everyone will be very pleased and impressed with Curve Calculator II. Mark is still working on it but I don't know when it will be released. It has some really cool features.

No more Excel spreadsheet work! And no more 101 step tonal palettes to print and read! Though you will still have a number of readings to make to complete a calibration.

Don Bryant

No more Excel spreadsheet work! And no more 101 step tonal palettes to print and read!

Excellent!

Allen

Pictorico and Agfa on Canon on my side. Preview guided workflow - you see what you get.

All the best
Kai Hamann

Pictorico high gloss white film 2400dpi on Epson 1290 using a Dan Burkholder PSD file with built-in curve actions to convert a final on-screen image to negative for printing. No larger than A4 contact prints so far.

No more Excel spreadsheet work! And no more 101 step tonal palettes to print and read! Though you will still have a number of readings to make to complete a calibration.


Very, very cool piece of software. :)


And for those of you waiting to calibrate for CC2, I highly recommend going ahead and make your adjustments. The more practice you can get with PDN the better off you'll be when CC2 is released. Run through the calibration a few times and it'll be no big thing to re-calibrate.

Just my 2 cents.


Camden Hardy
camden[at]hardyphotography[dot]net
http://www.hardyphotography.net

I use Agfa Copyjet film in sheets size A3, Epson 1290 printer.

I think everyone will be very pleased and impressed with Curve Calculator II. Mark is still working on it but I don't know when it will be released. It has some really cool features.

No more Excel spreadsheet work! And no more 101 step tonal palettes to print and read! Though you will still have a number of readings to make to complete a calibration.

Don Bryant

That's all great but we've been hearing about it for almost a year and there is still no real idea of when we might see it.
What's realistic? Another month, six months, a year??