[Leica] Darkroom (Nova "trays")

[drodgers at casefarms.com (David Rodgers)]

Daniel,

I purchased some empty spongeless carts, chips, and bulk inks from MIS
for my R800. I've filled carts for various other printers in the past,
but I always had issues. This is far and away the easiest, most
foolproof, and economical ink solution I've experienced to date. I
expected some hassles, especially with  chips. But it was quite simple.
Everything worked -- and is still working -- like a charm. 

My only issue now is having the option for matte and glossy. I replaced
the gloss and photo black carts with Ebony (matte black). I can print BW
using 3 channels (via QTR) and the results are excellent. I can print
color, too, but matte only. 

Sometimes I like to print glossy (Kirkland paper mainly, either BW or
color). For that I need photo black. Museo Silver Rag also requires
photo black. So I either need to get another R800, an R1800, or unbox
and use my R220 for matte BW. I haven't decided yet, but the R1800 is
the most likely option. 

I'm pleased with after market inks now. That wasn't the case a couple of
years ago. OTOH, maybe the printer makers are trying to remain one step
ahead. I just hope they don't make it too difficult in the future. Or if
they do I hope my current printers hold up. 

DaveR  

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Ridings [mailto:dlr@dlridings.se] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 7:59 AM
To: Leica Users Group; rolleiusers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Leica] Darkroom (Nova "trays")

Believe it or not, but it is becoming more difficult, not easier, to do 
digital prints. Companies like Epson are changing their printers so that

you can't use 3rd party (piezo-, and carbon) inks.

Just like cameras, printers have become a moving target and it is 
difficult to keep abreast with what is happening (unless you can afford 
one of the really good ones, the big ones ... they seem to be more
stable).

I am only interested in black and white, not color. Printing color 
digitally is less of a problem, actually, hardly one at all.

So I am thinking about keeping my darkroom set up after all. I have a 
dedicated room for it (even though the boys have booked it for their 
week-end poker nights now and then).

One of the things I don't like is washing up all the trays when I am 
finished and have been thinking about the Nova system with a box and 
vertical slots with very little contact between the liquids and air. You

are supposed to be able to just put the cover on and the chemicals will 
last longer without you having to pour them over to bottles after each 
run (if you don't just throw them out).

Is this a reasonable way of working for someone who would only go into 
the darkroom once a week (possibly twice).

Daniel