Hi Rob,
I startet to print with the Pixma Pro 1 teo months ago. I can give you some tips
* Use the XPS driver version, it allows to use 16 bits printing
* Up to know lightroom/photoshop in windows cannot use the 16 bits directly, but if you use the plugin Canon Print Studio Pro from LR or PS, then it works. For most of the pictures there is no need and LR Print tab it's the most convinien to use. But if you have a smoth and fine gradation in BW (e.g. skies) then you wiill have a subtle but visible banding using LR without the plug in.
* For BW printig remember to set up the BW option in the driver, do not just sent a BW picture. For that option there is no need for manufcturers icc profile (they are for color printing). in LR/PS select "printer manages colors" in that case, unless you have specific icc profile for BW (does anyone have?
)
* To use the icc profiles (I use the ones provided by the manufacturers) remember to set up the manual correction/adjustment in the driver, the in the adjustments tab (the second), in color adjustment choose none. Then select the profile of your paper in LR/PS.
* For BW printing here you can adjust the tone (warm, cool...). Usually I stick to the default neutral tone, but not always. With the plugin from canon that tool is right there in the menu once you choose bw printing.
* If I select in the driver the preview option (I alwas do it), then the preview looks awful... in my case that's a good sign, I go on and the get a nice print.
* I do prefer NOT to apply chroma optimizer to the whole picture, but the automatic option. You will save some of this liquid. Some gloss diferentiall will be visible in the brightest areas, but only at angles you don't want to see your pictures unless you specifically look for this differential. And I do not like the chroma optimizer beyond the margins.
* Do not use the auto power save option. Keep your printer always on, unles you are not going to use it for a long time. If you switch on the printer everyday it will suck the inks (= your money).
*Change ink cartridges only when they are completely empty. You can still print a lot with "low level" warning.
* Paper is your choice. Depending on the picture, mood and purpose I do work now mostly with Hahnemühle Photo Rag, Rag Bayta and (especially) Silk Baryta ( aka Ilford Gold Prestige Silk, Canson Baryta Photographic, and others). For some color pitures where I want an extra pop up effect I use Canon Platinum Pro, but I probably change to Harman Gloss baryta for this case, since it's inexpensive, have a better feeling in hands, and the base's white it's not so so cool. I do recomend to get test packes, e.g. from Canson, Hahnemühle and Harman, so you can check other papers and have some (very little) stock of them for very specific occasions.
Enjoy!
Santiago