K3 inks in Epson 7600

[Kumar]

Michael (mmurph) has some information about K3 inks in an Epson 7600 in this post: http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....mp;#entry342771 . I'd like some more information on this, particularly the effect of eliminating the LLK.

Kumar

[mmurph]

I'll copy this over to get started. Kumar asked if I had just replaced the LLK ink when I moved the 7600 from K2 to K3 inks (one extra black ink with K3, but also newer, higher gamut inks than K2.)

I should mention that I used this as a large format proofing machine, to make many, many 24"x30" proof prints. I also had an Epson 7800 for final prints:

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> How did you do this? Did you eliminate the LLK? Would you care to share some details?

Yes, exactly!

I use refillable carts and a syringe to suck ink out of whatever size K3 carts I can find cheaply. I am able to buy K3 in bulk at about the same price per liter as the decent 3rd party inks.

I have an i1 Pro, so I create profiles for the new inks on the 7600. I can share profiless for Epson Premium Semi-Gloss, Premium Luster, and Hahnemuehle Fine Art Baryta with K3 on the 7600 if that will help.

I consider the 7600 that last, great "open source" print engine. They are the last ones that you are really able to set and reset most of the printer options. Epson ties 1 machine to 1 ink set, but there are obviously more capable than that.

They do use proportionally more ink than the newer models, so at some point it is not going to be worth the bother. But for large print proofing with cheaper inks, especially with with self-mixed B&W at maybe $20 for a 220 ml cart. I'll find a spreadsheet with my cost calcuations if y'all don't mind the OT posts.  

Cheers!
Michael

[mmurph]

If you are curious abouyt the results of the conversion, you should probably compare three profiles:

1) Epson/Bill Atkinson profile for the 7600

2) My profile for the 7600 with 7 K3 inks, (certainly not of Atkinson quality, what can I say ...)

3) The Epson/Atkinson profile for the 7800.


All on the same paper and same settings of course.  

The first comparison will show you what gains are possible by switching the K2 to K3 in the 7600 over a "best case" profile with K2.

The second comparison will show you how far the 7600 with 7, K3 inks falls short of the 7800 with K3 and all 8 inks.

I'll attach my profile and the Atkinson 7600 profile (if I can figure out how.)      

(NOTE: I changed the .icc extension to .txt to get them to upload. You may need to change it back to .icc to do the comparison!)



There is a very nice online tool to allow 3 dimensional comparison of the gamut of uploaded profiles at:

http://www.iccview.de/content/view/3/7/lang,en/

Doing the comparison again, I see that Atkinson's profiles are probabaly mucxh higher quality than mine! (which were quick 1-off, with no real adjustments.)  He has better gamut in some areas with the K2 inks, especially mid-tone and high tone reds and greens. Overall gamut is better with the K3 though, especially low L values ("darker" hues.)


I will say I was very happy with the converted 7600. I still use it as my main proof/every day printer.

Cheers!
Michael

[Kumar]

Thanks Michael. I will look at the profile. I don't yet have a large format printer. What, in visual terms, does the elimination of the LLK do? If you compare prints from the converted 7600 and the 7800, what differences are apparent? Is the print from the 7800 that much better that you can't use the 7600 for final prints?

Kumar

[mmurph]

Kumar, there was not much difference in the prints. I actually sold the 7800 and kept the 7600.

But you can buy a used 7800 for little more than a used 7600. Then you can use the Atkinson profiles for the 7800, the 7800 will be more frugal on ink, etc.

The only reason it made sense for me was that I already had the 7600 when I got the 7800. I wanted to run the same IMO set for proofing and final output.

It would still be a decent machine for home brewed b&w.

[Kumar]

Thanks, Michael. Good to have this info.

Cheers,
Kumar