Julian I agree that paper setting makes a difference as the different media settings put down ink differently. Unfortunately so far the unprofiled targets tell the same story, Epson’s saturation of the primaries is visibly better across all the media I have tested.
The limits I see on the target red patches, corresponds with the limits I see on the prints and when softproofing as the profile cannot produce more saturation than a media setting is giving it to work with. I agree that some packages may produce smoother profiles but at this stage i am only looking at 3 colours, primary red, green and blue.
I have been using HM smooth fine art as my paper setting as suggested by HP. Christopher and I have suggested to HP that we conduct a controlled testing program using 4 papers with settings and conditions specified by HP and with the z3100 going up against an Epson 4000 and R2400. I will let you know what Hp comes back with.
To eliminate the profiling as a problem, I profiled the Epson4000 and the z3100 today, firstly using a colorvision printfix and then using the APS system with the HP’s built in spectro.
Yes you can use the APS and the z3100 to profile prints from other devices…
The profiles and the measurement files have been sent to HP for evaluation but in both cases the Epson produced far better reds than the HP. The greens and blues are also a problem but I am only focusing on the reds for now as they are the biggest problem.
I will be happy to mail you the profile sets and measurement files.