Objectively determining optimal Ink Levels in Canon x300 with MCT

[shewhorn]

A few months after the x300 series was released I started this thread:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=44889.0

In it, Scott Martin had suggested printing linearization targets and analyzing them with ColorBurst. I downloaded the trial, and gave this a shot but it's never produced the signature curves one sees when you have exceeded your ink limits. I've since come up with my own target (that not only has CMYK, but also RGB on it as well) and have a little spreadsheet that can calculate the chroma from the CGATS files and plot them for me in a graph. Another method one can use is via ColorThink Pro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tXQUPe29YmY

After having done this exercise with a few different papers now, even with the ink level set to high in the media type, I've never seen that characteristic curve that's associated with exceeding the ink levels. For me this begs the question, why bother with ink levels? Why not just set them all to high? Of course if everything looked best with the ink levels set to high then there probably wouldn't be any control over it. Given that those methods aren't giving me anything to go on, I've been looking at the response of the curves in the shadows and also taking into consideration how linear each color is overall for each ink level working under the assumption that better response in the shadows, and better linearity overall will lead to a better print BUT... I still find myself relying on a lot of visual tests as well as I'm not convinced that this really does translate to a better print.

So, now that this machine has been out for a while I wanted to revisit this to see if anyone has come up with any objective methods for determining the optimum ink level settings in the MCT for a given media type?

[Scott Martin]

The MCT tool provides only small changes in ink limiting. Too small to matter to matter much. Before you test the options within the MCT, I'd first test the various media types. If you then see the need to do so, test finer variations with the MCT tool.

[abiggs]

I have spent a *ton* of time with MCT and ink limits, and Scott is correct that the differences are extremely minimal. With that being said I have seen more differences with the glossy paper types than with matte paper types. YMMV.

[shewhorn]

I have spent a *ton* of time with MCT and ink limits, and Scott is correct that the differences are extremely minimal. With that being said I have seen more differences with the glossy paper types than with matte paper types. YMMV.

Scott, Andy, thanks. I guess that pretty much confirms my observations.

Cheers, Joe

[keith_cooper]

Does anyone have a (rough) guide to which 'built in' 8300 paper types have what sorts of standard ink limits?

I've tried a few but don't have a reliable feel for which photo papers have higher or lower ink limits, when creating a custom paper type.

It would be nice to know any that are particularly high or low.

In particular I was looking at this in respect of the mono print mode, where any alteration of the paper's ink limit from the Canon standard ink setting means you can't use B&W printing with your paper.

(BTW I am well aware of TBW for B&W printing on the 8300, but IMHO, it's hamstrung by annoying usability issues, particularly if you have the temerity to want to use metric or custom paper sizes)

[Scott Martin]

There a lot of redundancy in there. Lots of identical media types that perform the same but have different names for the sake of matching up with media they sell.

If you're working with 3rd party papers there are only a few media types worth knowing. Here's my "recommendation guide" for the x300 pritners:

RC Photo Papers = Photo Paper Plus Semi Gloss
Fiber Base Photo Black Papers = Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss
Cotton Rag Papers = Premium Matte Paper
Other Matte Papers = Premium Matte Paper
Matte Canvas = Canvas Matte
Glossy Canvas  = Special 3

And for B&W you'll have to ask yourself whither Monochrome Photos mode makes sense or just printing with a really good profile in color mode (and potentially toning at the application level).

Naturally, running the on-board calibration routine prior to profiling is essential.

[keith_cooper]

Thanks Scott - just the sort of info I was after.

As to the B&W, the mono mode works well with a bit of tweaking - particularly since I have a personal dislike for toning/tinting much beyond that from a change of paper type ;-)

How often do you run the on-board calibration?
My printer isn't particularly high usage (several original cartridges still) and I've only done it a few times (such as at first cartridge change and then every six months)

[Scott Martin]

I run the calibration every 6-12 months or when parts are replaced. I always run it on the same paper for consistency.

[keith_cooper]

Thanks - I keep the sample roll of proofing paper that came with the printer for just this purpose.

[Scott Martin]

Keith, you might want to checkout the iPF wiki where all the serious iPF geek talk lives.

canonipf.wikispaces.com

[keith_cooper]

Keith, you might want to checkout the iPF wiki where all the serious iPF geek talk lives.

Thought I'd start with 'iPF geek talk lite' here ;-)