B&W Inkjet Printing

[dcsang]

I'm curious about the C88 as on the MIS website it states that the EZBW inks are "coming soon" for the C88. .

The C86 is long gone from store shelves in these parts as far as I know.

Cheers
Dave

 

[IGMeanwell]

I'm curious about the C88 as on the MIS website it states that the EZBW inks are "coming soon" for the C88. .

The C86 is long gone from store shelves in these parts as far as I know.

Cheers
Dave

I know it say that they are coming soon... but like I said I have had no issues with the C88 (using the C86 EZ inks)

I actually forgot to clamp down the top of the ink cradle at one point which I didn't realize at first and thought that something was wrong with my printer😛

so far I have used Epson Enhanced Matte and Kodak Ultra Archival paper ... the results have been quite good

Let me just say that this combination is considered the "cheap way" ... usually under 100 bucks to start off (C88 off of the bay at $40 and $40 for the inks) ... and the blacks are very deep (not blue or greenish or brownish)

 

[dcsang]

I know it say that they are coming soon... but like I said I have had no issues with the C88 (using the C86 EZ inks)

I actually forgot to clamp down the top of the ink cradle at one point which I didn't realize at first and thought that something was wrong with my printer😛

so far I have used Epson Enhanced Matte and Kodak Ultra Archival paper ... the results have been quite good

Let me just say that this combination is considered the "cheap way" ... usually under 100 bucks to start off (C88 off of the bay at $40 and $40 for the inks) ... and the blacks are very deep (not blue or greenish or brownish)

Ya.. I know it's the cheap way to start off 🙂 I'm currently using an HP 8450 that I enjoy but at times I feel the prints may be a bit "warm" - and I do like the idea of "trying" the MIS ink system with the epson and if I do decide to print more; then I can go nuts later on a more expensive printer (2400 or such) and the more "pro" inks 🙂

Dave

 

[Kin Lau]

I'm curious about the C88 as on the MIS website it states that the EZBW inks are "coming soon" for the C88. .

The C86 is long gone from store shelves in these parts as far as I know.

Cheers
Dave

I asked MIS back in December 2005 about it, and here's the reply:

Is the Epson C88 supported?

Dear Kin Lau,

Yes we have carts, ink, etc for the C88 printer. The C88 is the same as the C86 printer.

Thank you,
Pamela
MIS Customer Service
MIS Associates, Inc

 

[kaiyen]

dave,
yes, I saw the smiley, but I can't let someone call the MIS inks "cheap" and get away with it. They are unquestionably professional-grade inks.

allan

 

[IGMeanwell]

dave,
yes, I saw the smiley, but I can't let someone call the MIS inks "cheap" and get away with it. They are unquestionably professional-grade inks.

allan

I have to agree with this ... inexpensive really should be the word

MIS inks cost the same as the OEM inks 10 bucks each

but I think I agree that the MIS inks are indeed professional-grade

 

[oscroft]

Wow, thanks all, lots of great info there.

I'm pleased that there's a cheap and simple option in the R220 (I can't afford to be buying expensive printers and Photoshop - I'm only going to be printing the occasional few pics).

I'm a bit disappointed that it has to be Epson though - I gave up on Epson printers a while ago, because they clog up so much I was wasting half my ink on cleaning cycles (it seems you have to keep using them frequently to stop them clogging, whereas I can leave my HP printer unused for months and it will still print perfectly first time). And then, just a month after the warranty period expried, my last Epson went "boing" and sprayed bits of plastic and metal all over the place. But if Epson is what it has to be, then I guess I don't have any choice.

The MIS inks sound excellent, and the prices seem reasonable.

Anyway, I've seen the R220 advertised for £65, so I'll probably order one, and some MIS inks, next payday.

Thanks again,

 

[Dale Cook]

Wow, thanks all, lots of great info there.

I'm pleased that there's a cheap and simple option in the R220 (I can't afford to be buying expensive printers and Photoshop - I'm only going to be printing the occasional few pics).

I'm a bit disappointed that it has to be Epson though - I gave up on Epson printers a while ago, because they clog up so much I was wasting half my ink on cleaning cycles (it seems you have to keep using them frequently to stop them clogging, whereas I can leave my HP printer unused for months and it will still print perfectly first time). And then, just a month after the warranty period expried, my last Epson went "boing" and sprayed bits of plastic and metal all over the place. But if Epson is what it has to be, then I guess I don't have any choice.

The MIS inks sound excellent, and the prices seem reasonable.

Anyway, I've seen the R220 advertised for £65, so I'll probably order one, and some MIS inks, next payday.

Thanks again,

As someone mentioned before...a good Epson alternative would be the HP 8450. It has a good reputation for excellent black & white prints. That was the main reason I purchased one. It was discontinued about 6 months back, but you could probably still find one for dirt cheap (less than $100 US).

 

[oscroft]

As someone mentioned before...a good Epson alternative would be the HP 8450. It has a good reputation for excellent black & white prints. That was the main reason I purchased one. It was discontinued about 6 months back, but you could probably still find one for dirt cheap (less than $100 US).

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I want to try the MIS inks.

Cheers,

 

[Socke]

Where can I get the MIS inks in germany? Might be worth a try.

 

[oscroft]

Where can I get the MIS inks in germany? Might be worth a try.

Apparently you can only get them directly from MIS in the US. See here...
http://www.inksupply.com/bwpage.cfm

 

[P C Headland]

The latest HPs, or even an earlier 7660/7960 will do a nice job when using the Photo Grey cartridge. No clogs, no fussing around and you can switch back and forth between colour and B+W.

I use an HP7660 and Ilford's Smooth Pearl paper. Great results, and no fading so far.

 

[nightfly]

I like the Epson 1280 with MIS Eboni Black and print black only mostly on Epson Enhanced Matte. The results are really impressive with deep blacks and a nice cold tone. Most people I've shown my prints to, including a photography teacher who used to work at a stock photography agency have been very impressed with the quality and have trouble believing they are black only inkjets.

They don't quite hold up when seen next to a wet darkroom fiber print as they lack some of the glow but I think with some different paper, I might even be able to approach that (suggestions?).

It's a nice, cheap way to go and you can use the same technique and ink with any Epson that MIS supports. I agree about the wasted ink and cleaning cycles but it's worth a shot trying black only even with your regular black cartridge just to see if the range of tones suits you. For me it's perfect as I've always liked a fairly cold tone print and many ink jet prints I've seen veer toward the warmer side of things.

 

[dcsang]

dave,
yes, I saw the smiley, but I can't let someone call the MIS inks "cheap" and get away with it. They are unquestionably professional-grade inks.

allan

heh.. ya I know Alan.. but you'll be pleased to note that the "original" quote of "cheap way" is from IGMeanwell 😉

I'm well aware how professional the inks are; I'm merely stating it's inexpensive for people to get into it if they decide to go with a cheaper...err.. "less expensive" Epson printer 😀

Dave

 

[IGMeanwell]

They don't quite hold up when seen next to a wet darkroom fiber print as they lack some of the glow but I think with some different paper, I might even be able to approach that (suggestions?).

From what I understand the Museo Silver Rag for Inkjets is the closest thing to the darkroom fiber prints

That is from the inkjet nazi's over at the yahoo groups

 

[dcsang]

Hmmm.. ya know.. the CFS stuff over at MIS would suggest that you best be doing quite a bit of printing to warrant that sort of system; am I correct in that ASSumption? 😀

The cartridge system; as mentioned - seems to be the best way to "enter" into the world of MIS / 3rd party B&W inkjet printing no?

Dave

 

[IGMeanwell]

Hmmm.. ya know.. the CFS stuff over at MIS would suggest that you best be doing quite a bit of printing to warrant that sort of system; am I correct in that ASSumption? 😀

The cartridge system; as mentioned - seems to be the best way to "enter" into the world of MIS / 3rd party B&W inkjet printing no?

Dave

I wouldn't dive into the continuous feed right off the bat ... I would start with the cartridges and then see how much printing you do

If you do a ton of printing ... then CFS is a step up

 

[nightfly]

Thank you.

I'm glad someone has the courage to plunge into the front lines of technical minutia and report back. I will pick some up and try it.

From what I understand the Museo Silver Rag for Inkjets is the closest thing to the darkroom fiber prints

That is from the inkjet nazi's over at the yahoo groups

 

[jwcat]

I scanned through the replies and did not see this mentioned. Here is IMHO is the best forum for people interested in getting started with B&W on inkjets.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/

I used the C86 for 18 months and just bought an R220 for MIS inks. As far as HP verses Epson, I think the question comes down to papers available.

I must admit I am waiting till HP's new 13x19 pigment printer comes out in September before deciding between Epson and HP at that size. The HP is supposed to be better in size of ink cart and ink use.

John

 

[IGMeanwell]

Thank you.

I'm glad someone has the courage to plunge into the front lines of technical minutia and report back. I will pick some up and try it.

No problem sir ... I'll disect any technical mumbo-jumbo and jibber-jabber to get the real information for the cause!!!

Seriously though, those guys over at the yahoo groups kind of scare me ... all in to wax coating and velvet