1. Is head clogging a real problem, so long as MIS' instructions are followed to the letter? I tend to use the Photo EX intermittently; a couple of weeks might pass between uses. Will this cause a clog?

2.. How does the color gamut of the MIS inks compare to the Epson inks?

3..What brand of photo-quality paper works best with the MIS inks?"

"My caveats are these:  I have only owned my EX since around November of last year.  I probably started working with MIS inks in December or January sometime.  So my cumulative experience thus far is probably all of about 3 months. I probably average around 6-12 prints per week in varying sizes, mostly 8x10 or larger.

I am a serious amateur photographer.  I scan (from 4x6" prints) on an older Umax Vista s-12 scanner, and digitize to a PC clone that I assembled myself. I then manipulate the results in Photoshop to>>>

Essentially, I view what I do as a digital version of 'hand-colored' photographs.  Therefore, for my purposes, consistent color is far more important to me than "realistic" color in my output.  Other people using similar equipment may have dramatically different needs and would not be satisfied with my results.

Basically, I'm just a guy with some nice cameras and some PC equipment and an EX, who does this for fun on a limited scale in the bedroom of my home. As some of the people who contribute to the leben list and your site are full time, working professionals in the field of computer imaging, I would definitely shy away from posturing as, or allowing myself to be presented as any kind of 'expert'.

I do have people who like what I do, and want to buy the results. This has motivated me to search for information on the best ways to achieve lasting results with the least possible detriment to image quality.  The Epson list and your website have been invaluable in this respect, as have MIS ink and Royce Bair's website.

I am gearing up for my second show (my first using the EX) at a small gallery/performance space here in Seattle's Pioneer Square in the first week of April, and where I was reluctant to allow people to actually purchase any of the work in my first show, due to concerns about longevity, hopefully I can now sell something for a reasonable price with a clear conscience.  :) Charlie"
 

1. Is head clogging a real problem, so long as MIS' instructions are followed to the letter? I tend to use the Photo EX intermittently; a couple of weeks might pass between uses. Will this cause a clog?

I fill my own cartridges, using hypodermics, not vacuum fill methods, so it conceivably could be 'air in the line' but it's never been more than the most minor annoyance to me. Eventually I plan to try using the vacuum fill methods. The ink used up in the cleaning cycles is of little concern to me, as it was with the epson carts, because I figure the economy of scale in buying 4 oz bottles of ink more than makes up for what I lose in routine maintenance.  It would be different if I were paying $30 for a prefilled cartridge and losing 5-10% of the ink to cleaning cycles.

Rene Bilodeau <rbil@island.net> also asked the following:-"On MIS's site they don't give specifics On MIS's site they don't give specifics about refilling the Photo 700s. I'm wondering about something I read there that says to refill/replace the cartridge when it is showing 60% used (40% left) with refilled cartridges because the cartridges don't take as much ink as the factory fills. Are you doing this? If not, are you experiencing any problems?"

Generally, following the advice in the MIS knowledge base, I fill the ink compartments until they are just ready to flow over and then stick them on my drill (I made a spinner similar to the one you can order from MIS on their website) and centrifuge them for a minute or so to push the ink down into the sponge.   (I order the replacement cartridge seals along with the ink, and install fresh seals every timeI refill a cartridge now--much neater than using electrical tape!). Rather than punch the seals and drip them out overnight, as suggested, once the cartridge is full and has been 'spun', I let it sit until I need it, usually a couple of days or more, and then when I install it I immediately run off a couple of large prints to bring the ink level down to where it is not likely to drip into the printer.  (I don't think that's quite as likely with fresh seals anyway).

I've had zero significant problems with this so far, but I always have to offer the caveat that I haven't been doing it for very long either.>>

t2.. How does the color gamut of the MIS inks compare to the Epson inks?"

3..What brand of photo-quality paper works best with the MIS inks?"

I have only been using MIS archival inks for a couple months at most, and while I am very pleased with the inks and have to say good things about the company itself, I cannot yet testify as to the archival stability of the product, particularly in conjunction with my media of choice.  Only time or Henry Wilhelm can tell for sure.

I am looking into getting some of Royce Bair's Optima Maxim XE UV resistant topcoat in order to hedge my bet even more, but haven't done so yet, so no opinions to offer there.  Anybody else?

I had a query for Charlie too:-"One suggestion, why don't you use the new Photo Paper (tested by Royce) as well to further hedge your bet? Is the Konica QP finish that much better than the Photo Paper"

I have searched the list archives for info regarding Konica QP, and aside from the concerns listed about color shifts with Epson inks, could never find any reasonably objective statements about its stability and archival qualities just as a sheet of paper.  I have my concerns about this, but with the MIS inks and a good UV resistant top-coating, I am willing to experiment and gamble on the results a bit.  I am willing to be satisfied with results that are going to last for a couple of decades as opposed to centuries.