Calibration, yeah I know, exciting as lint

01/28/2006 11:33:25 PM · #51

Thanks, brent again for a really insightful answer. Problem is, I don't know if it can or cannot print neutral prints yet, because I haven't been given advice on how to do so nor how to test if it does or doesn't.

Brent_Ward

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

01/29/2006 02:57:14 AM · #52

Originally posted by pgatt:

Neutral prints are in the ink. Which has been mentioned here a couple of times. Get a printer with more than one black and you'll find what your looking for ( the 2400 has like 4 blacks). ;o)

Doesn't matter what color cast you get, if you only print in black ink...

David.C

01/29/2006 03:49:27 AM · #53

Originally posted by thread title:

RE:Calibration, yeah I know, exciting as lint

Over 50 informative and enjoyable replies and 600+ views!

Maybe we need a thread on lint. :)

David

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

01/29/2006 06:06:33 AM · #54

Doesn't matter what color cast you get, if you only print in black ink...

Sorry I'm more confused now. Surely it does, because they said they wanted to see true b/w's and will consistently mark people down for colour casts?

Bear in mind, I haven't tried printing anything with my printer yet, as I don't even know if that's any use - I'm not sure I could even identify a colour cast unless it was totally obvious. I could only see that they had different colour casts (slightly) when she pointed it out.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/29/2006 08:11:38 AM · #55

I am not quite sure what more to say.

We have explained how to get colour cast free prints (buy & use a printer that uses black and grey ink only).

We/I have explained that the colour cast seen by your professor on yur lab prints is probably caused by the lab using the incorrect paper.

Now you say that you have not even tried a print on your own printer. Try it - see whether there is any colouration at all. If there is, you will probably have to invest in a printer that is designed for b&w printing - ie it accepts a greys cartridge in the colour cartridge slot.

You should probably go through some basic calibration to get the right brightness and contrast for your b&w prints. If part of the course requirements is that you must do yur own printing, it seems bizarre to me that you will not get some instruction as part of the course on how to do that.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

01/29/2006 08:18:29 AM · #56

double post

Message edited by author 2006-01-29 08:19:08.

01/29/2006 02:05:07 PM · #57

Sorry legal. I didn't really make it clear from the start, but it was very confusing when she said that to me. I will have a go at all that was suggested. I'm going to try and print on my printer, I've found some printer profiles for my printer for different papers, and going to try that this evening. I think I'll also purchase a monitor/printer calibration, as it will probably come in handy, as I also do some design work for free mainly, but still wouldn't hurt to be able to predict what things will look like printed better.

01/29/2006 02:09:10 PM · #58

PS: Thank you all for the great amount of help for someone so clueless on this issue

01/30/2006 07:14:50 AM · #59

I have done some test prints and have discovered my biggest problem is I can see the effects of the things I have tested, and know which looks better to me, but I have no way of objectively testing whether there is a colour cast. Note I am buying a printer and monitor calibration kit.

01/30/2006 02:47:02 PM · #60

Also, I was about to by the ColorVision Printfix Suite, and realised the ip4000 wasn't supported. Is there any way around this?

01/30/2006 08:46:07 PM · #61

Bump.

Brent_Ward

Nikon MF 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

01/30/2006 08:57:21 PM · #62

Originally posted by pgatt:

Also, I was about to by the ColorVision Printfix Suite, and realised the ip4000 wasn't supported. Is there any way around this?

Yeah, buy a different printer.

mcmurma

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/30/2006 09:28:43 PM · #63

I also use an HP printer, the 9800, which can print using the vivera grey and black only cartridges and can be had for around $300 right now.

The quality of the B&W images from this printer is the best I have seen from an inkjet (though, admittedly, I dont get out much:) I'd love to see some of the piezeo prints that Gordon speaks of and comapre them.) Also, I have heard that the Epsons also look incredible.

Long story short. I have printed 12x18 B&Ws onto Illford Satin Pearl that made a mother cry. That's gotta be worth something :)

Note: The Illford works really well with the HP vivera grey inks as far as making a nice, smooth, good looking print. However, they are NOT neutral. The paper introduces a warmth to the prints that is actually kinda nice. For a truly neutral print you need to use the HP paper.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/30/2006 11:16:09 PM · #64

Thanks again.

David.C

01/31/2006 04:22:29 AM · #65

This may be an off the wall thought -- but since you are going to all this trouble to satisfy some instructor, have you asked him what he suggests as an acceptable printing routine?

Seems to me since it's for a college course, and you are their for them to teach you -- if they want something specific, how to get it should be the first thing they want to show you.

David