Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I've been using Ilford paper forever. Well almost! Now that it's not available I had to find an alternative. So I've gone with Moab. I've downloaded and installed the correct profile. And installed it in QImage.
My question is - I use an Epson 1410, (same as 1400). What Epson paper do I choose to match the Moab Lasal Exhibition Luster 300 (Alpine pearl)? ie under Paper Options/Type should I select Ultra Glossy? Premium Glossy or Premium Semi Gloss. Ilford gave that information but I can't find it for the Moab paper.

regards

Have you checked this page on the Moab site?

http://moabpaper.com/icc-profiles-downloads/epson/epson-stylus-photo-1400/

It says to use the premium luster setting.

Sorry but there is no 'Luster' option on a 1410.

regards

I looked at the 1400 and there is a Luster listed. I looked ar t the 1500, and there is NO luster listed; BUT there is a Ultra Premium Luster profile that comes with the 1500 driver which also says 1410 on it.
a) See if there's an updated driver to download.
b) If not, I would use that Luster profile and try it with Premium Glossy and a semi gloss.

Bet it works. Let us know.

See screen snap.
Fred

Thanks Fred. I have a 1410. Same as the 1400 to my best knowledge. I have turned it inside out but no luster of any sort is listed. I'll do a search and see if I can find a new driver.

regards

An update.
OK so I've looked and looked and no sign of any 'luster' setting/options on my 1410. I've downloaded and installed the latest drivers. Nothing about 'Luster'.
I even downloaded and installed the 1400 driver. (As far as I can see the only difference between the 1400 and the 1410 is 120 volts v 240 volts. I'm in Australia).

With the Ilford profile the instructions said media type to select was Epson Ultra Glossy.
So I selected the Moab profile and then selected Epson Ultra Glossy as the media.
Results - The prints are marginally less saturated. BUT more accurately represent the QImage soft proof. Not much difference but just enough for pixel peepers to see the difference.

Conclusion- Don't keep changing the work flow cos my brain can't cope!! But overall I'm now getting a result that more accurately represents what I see on the screen.

Thanks

Epson seem to have different drivers depending on which part of the world you bought your printer. I have an R2000, the same as Fred's but the list of paper types is different from Fred's.
The paper type list seems to match the availability of that paper within the region. I did try the US version of the driver but then some papers available here in the UK were not listed. You could try the US driver version from
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=79609&infoType=Overview (http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=79609&infoType=Overview)
Also, the same paper has a different name, here in the UK I use Epson Archival Matte, in the US it has a different name but has the same specification as one that Fred uses - we think they are identical.
Terry

I think you're right Terry. When I install the driver I'm only given choices for Asian countries including Australia.
For now I'll stick with what I have and experiment when time permits.
Note- I have communicated with Moab. They also suspect a change of media names in our region.

Thanks for the help.

I'm interested in your comment that Ilford paper is no longer available. Here in NZ it is in good and expanding supply.

Could you explain further? Thanks.

Regards

Peter

Hi Peter,
Ilford Imaging who make the papers are in financial problems. This is not the same company as Ilford Photo.
See here
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/539825/ilford-imaging-switzerland-in-financial-trouble (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/539825/ilford-imaging-switzerland-in-financial-trouble)
I have used Ilford papers for some time but now finding it difficult to get A3 sizes in Prestige Smooth Pearl; A4 is readily available though. This is in the UK.
Terry

Thanks Terry.

That is dissappointing news. I hope Ilford Imaging find a solution.

In the meantime, depending upon supply, I will continue to use their papers.

Peter

Here in Australia Ilford paper is getting very hard to find.

Just to follow up on the above Moab have suggested using Premium Semigloss.

regards

Terry,

I also used Ilford Smooth Pearl.

I was encouraged to try Harman Luster:-
http://www.harmanexpress.com/prods/7/HARMAN-CRYSTALJET-ELITE.htm

I like it better.

My understanding is that Harman have taken over the Ilford range for what that is worth - but a side by side eyeball check showed the Harman was more to my taste.

PM me if you are interested and I might be able to help on the deals they do.

Tony

Hi Tony,
Thanks for the information.
I have now started to use Epson Premium Semigloss. Trouble is is 251gsm where the Ilford prestige was 310gsm so much more sturdy.
I see (from your link) the HARMAN CRYSTALJET ELITE is available at 295gsm, Gloss & Pearl so I may buy an A4 pack to try it out - the prices look reasonable.
What are their profiles like - good results?
Terry
PS. The Harman list of profiles is way out of date for Epson printers, my R2000 is not listed  :(

I've run some tests. Using QImage and the Moab profile with the Moab Lasal Exhibition Luster paper.

Comparing the Ilford Smooth Pearl to Moab, the Moab is a brighter white paper. I think that takes some of the 'warmth' out of the Moab.
So I printed using media set to Epson Ultra Glossy and then repeated with the only change being media to Epson Semi Gloss.
Conclusion. - Three photos. Almost the same weight paper. Texture is almost identical. Ilford is a bit more saturated I think due to the paper colour bleeding through.
The two Moab prints are all but identical. I marked each on the back. After shuffling them endlessly both my wife, biggest critic, and I couldn't pick which was which.

At the moment I prefer the Moab results to the Ilford. Softproofing in QImage is spot on. Paper feels good. Looks good. So Moab profile with media set to Epson Premium Semigloss seems just right.

regards

Terry,

They were doing a special deal on the heavier paper last week so I bought a pack. I have not tried it yet as I had a lot of prints to make and did not want to delay them whilst I made a new profile. (My prints being on the lighter stock which has a good reliable profile).

I used Profile Prism to make the profile for my Epson 3880 (or is a 3800 I forget) and the lighter Harman Luster.

Compared to the Ilford it  is whiter and that is why I prefer the Harman. But the heavier Harman might not be as white of course. I'll try to remember to come back to this thread when I start using it.

Tony