[Leica] Report on Piezography

[Tina Manley <images@InfoAve.Net>]

O.K., guys, here is my report on the Epson 3000 and Piezography software 
which I am using to print my LEICA black and white negatives:

It took me about two hours to get the printer set up (it's big!) and 
install the software.  Then I spent all day yesterday trying out samples of 
different papers.  The paper makes a huge difference in the appearance of 
the prints.  I tried everything from thick, rough watercolor paper to very 
thin, glossy photo paper.  It's all gorgeous!  There are absolutely no dots 
visible.  I had a little trouble with banding until I figured out I was 
supposed to be using the Super Micro-weave setting.  Now there's no banding 
on any paper.  The colors of the ink vary slightly depending on the paper 
used, but they all appear close to neutral.  The watercolor paper gives a 
warmer tint.  The Media Street dual sided paper gives the coldest tint with 
extremely black blacks.  The QuadBlack inks are really the way to go for 
beautiful black and white prints.

I'm putting some samples in the back window of the car to test the fading, 
but these inks and papers are supposed to be archival.  I couldn't 
be  happier with this system (well, I'd love to find some cheaper 
paper!).  My days of breathing chemicals are numbered!

Leically,

Tina


Tina Manley, ASMP
http://www.tinamanley.com