Are you still happy with your Hp B9180?

[kublix]

"Went with Epson with Inks at roughly 1/3 the price of HP inks...".

I could hardly agree more, that HP's ink is quite expensive, at near 1200$us per litre !!!

I can just say, for the benefit of anybody reading this page, that there is indeed an alternative. Despite all the prejudices we read about it, I have found a 3rd party ink which gives me absolutely the same printing results than HP ink does.

I have been using this ink since January last and I am now on my 3rd order. Never had a single problem with that ink (printhead clug or other). The cost is about 9 times less expensive*than HP. After testing fade resistance in direct sunlight for weeks, and outdoor, I noticed that HP is fading equally to this 3rd party stuff.

Hefger Media, on eBay, sells refillable cartridges (optional) with their ink and I must say that they are far beyond on customer assistance. I have once been answered on a sunday morning at 9:30... this is quite amazing but real life. One hickup however, on the first order, I had a faulty cartridge but Hefger sent me another one for free, received 5 days later, pre-filled and no question asked ! That is what I call "assistance".

I am now a regular buyer and, at 169$US for a set of 8 x 100 ml of each colour, I don't see any reason not to stick with them.

If you are curious, have a look on eBay and search for "HP 38 cartridge".

[coops]

The Hefger media sounds promising. I have read several positive comments from happy users.
I just got some Ilford Gold fiber paper and printed some good looking b&w images, but I have two issues. When I turn turn the print slightly I see a lot of what I think is called bronzing. Does this happen with most glossy papers or are there some that print b&w well and do not have this problem?
Also, I downloaded the Ilford profiles and using the HP software I created a paper/profile using 'photo paper'. When the PS3 print screen comes on, I click the button that allows the printer to manage color. Then, using the HP software, I check the correct paper feeded, paper with associated profile and gray inks.
Is this how most of you do it? I think if I choose the profile in the PS3 print setup page I may end up double profiling.

[kublix]

About bronzing, I would say that it is very difficult to get rid of it. I have red somewhere that it is due to the light grey ink. One good thing with the HP Z3100 is that this printer is virtually free of bronzing (thanks to it's exclusive "grey" and "gloss enhancer" inks).

After testing many glossy papers, I have the best results with the Pictorico "Pro Hi-Gloss Photo Paper Hi-Gloss" (RC paper, 290gsm). I never heard of this paper until a professionnal photographer told me to try it. Although there is still a bit of bronzing with B9180, it is much lighter than other papers. When used with the Z3100, there is no bronzing at all .

The best photo paper I have ever used for black & white is definitely the "Museo Portfolio Rag". It is a matte paper but with such a beautifull and rich velvet texture, that I doubt you have never seen so nice blacks, whites, and all the tones in between. It is definitely worth to try !

About the profiles, I simply copy the .ICC file in the folder that contain other profiles included with PS CS3, nothing more. Normally, the profile supplier will tell you which type of paper you should select to use with the profile. If they don't give that information, you should try some paper types provided by HP, to see which gives the best results.

For B&W prints, there is two modes : either you let Photoshop manage coulors, or not. For the same physical paper, it is surprising to see the differences between those two modes weather you choose a paper type or another : with some paper types, prints are better when Photoshop manage the colours but for some other types, it is much better to let the printer manage... You have to test all combinations for each physical (brand) paper you use. Also, those combination will have an impact on the level of bronzing. Often a matter of compromise...

Note that when you chose to let the printer manage colours, the profile (ICC) is overridden.

About choosing an option in the Print Setup menu, this will not generate double profiling, as this dialog box is a sub menu of the Print menu.

I am not a specialist in B&W printing, so someone may have a more efficient method, but the trials I have made showed me that this was the best way.

K.