Message-Id: <mailto:199512211427.IAA25999@library.wustl.edu> Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 09:22:08 -0500 From: Joel Wolfson <mailto:DigiWolf@AOL.COM> Subject: Re: Printing B/W photos To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
>From: Peter MacDonald <mailto:PMACDON@HULAW1.HARVARD.EDU>
>Subject: Printing B&W photos
>
>I have some black and white snapshots of people's faces
>that were scanned at 400 dpi that I want to print in the
>best way possible.
>
>My question is this: Do color printers that use the composite
>method (i.e., mixing colors) produce good gray scale output
>for such photos? Or, is a good black and white laser
>printer a better bet.
>
>I have heard that compisite color printers can print in gray
>but I have never seen one print a black and white picture
>better than a laser printer.
>
>I am most interested in printers that cost between $400 and
>$800.
>
>Thanks
If you want a printer in the $400-800 range for printing photos I would suggest looking at the high resolution ink jet printers such as the Apple Stylewriter 1200 (which prints grayscale) or the Color Stylewriter 2400 and Color SW Pro, HP 550, 850, Epson Stylus, etc. All of these are at least 360 dpi with the Epson up to 720. If you use the special photo papers on the market, the results with photos are pretty impressive. The only caveat is that they're very slow and use lots of ink for printing photos.
There are a few laser printers starting in the upper end of this price range that produce decent photos but make sure they have something like Apple's or HP's enhanced gray scale capabilities. Otherwise you won't have much in the way of tonal range. Laser printers will usually be a little faster, depending on the size of your photo file.
If you want stunning black and white or color photos, consider out-sourcing to a service bureau with a Fujix Pictrography printer. They're portfolio quality (many of my photographer clients use them in their portfolios) and much nicer than dye-subs.
Hope this helps.
Joel Wolfson DPI Manager Digital Photographics & Imaging a division of West Photo (612) 379-2321 Main (612) 699-2533 Direct E-mail: mailto:digiwolf@aol.com