Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/10/09

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Subject: [Leica] Replacement for the C86 printer with Ultratone (carbon) inks
From: dlr at dlridings.se (Daniel Ridings)
Date: Mon Oct 9 23:15:19 2006
References: <4523E6A9.7040907@dlridings.se>

A follow-up.

Beside my Epson Stylus C86 I have an Epson Stylus Photo R800. The latter 
one has been dedicated to color because when I bought it, there was no 
way to get 5 decent b/w photographs out of it that could be hung side by 
side and look like they had been printed according to the same 
specifications. Color casts all over the playing field.

Since then Quadtone RIP has been implemented for the R800. So I 
downloaded it. You can test it for free and pay $50 if you want to be 
honest and want to keep using it. I haven't decided yet.

http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRoverview.html

Quadtone RIP has been implemented for two sets of inks: Epson's original 
  Ultrachome and Piezography Neutral K7 Inks.

http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRpiezobw.html

I don't have the latter inks (yet, they are on the way), so I tested the 
Epson Ultrachrome inks.

Long story short: if you set Quadtone RIP to "better" printing rather 
than "faster" you can get prints that are very close in quality to the 
MIS Associates Ultratone EZ for the C86. I would say the C86 still has 
the edge, but you would only be able to say that in a side by side 
comparison. There is a bit more snap to the MIS/C86 print.

On the other hand, you can print from cold to neutral and warm (sepia) 
with Quadtone RIP. With the MIS/C86 setup, you have to chose your inks 
(warm or neutral) and live with it.

I've ordered the K7 inks from http://www.inkjetmall.com

If you want to do that and live in Europe, definitely contact them 
rather than just ordering through the web page. The web page will stick 
you with $90 postage for 8 cartridges when they can be mailed for about 
$12 with the standard airmail from the post office rather than the 
outright rip off from UPS.

Daniel


Daniel Ridings wrote:
> Cold sweat.
> 
> My next to the last C86 broke down (parts worn out, says Epson, won't 
> budge).
> 
> So I broke out the last C86 I had under the table. It will probably last 
> about a year.
> 
> But then ... I will definitely need a replacement. I love the prints I 
> get from it. Any pointers for b/w printers that use carbon based pigment 
> inks. I don't think I want to go the RIP route, but I might have to.
> 
> Daniel

Replies: Reply from hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson) ([Leica] Replacement for the C86 printer with Ultratone (carbon)inks)
In reply to: Message from dlr at dlridings.se (Daniel Ridings) ([Leica] Replacement for the C86 printer with Ultratone (carbon) inks)