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Photography News | Issue 52 | photographynews.co.uk
X-Rite i1 Studio There’s no point in going to all the trouble of printing your work if you’re not assured of accurate colours and contrast. To get you on the right track you need to start using colour management gear like the X-Rite i1 Studio. This device lets you calibrate colour on a range of devices including printers, monitors, cameras, scanners and even projectors – it can even calibrate iOS devices using the X-Rite ColorTRUE app. The i1 Studio is the replacement to the successful ColorMunki Photo and comes with a Mini ColorChecker Chart, providing the device and software with a vital reference point. It can also create a series of colour profiles, so you can be assured of consistent output froma range of devices. £449 gb.colorconfidence.com
Tecco Luster Paper 285gsm This heavyweight photo paper from Tecco offers a great mix of features for enthusiast photographers printing their work at home. The paper provides an extremely high resolution so you can expect verydetailed images, as well as vibrant, accurate true-to-life colours. The paper has a bright white base allowing a wide colour gamut, and lots of shadow detail and crisp highlights. Very fast drying times are claimed, as are impressive archival properties. The paper has a weight of 285gsm, and comes in sizes to suit all needs: 25m rolls are available in 17in, 24in and 44in sizes and sheets inA4, A3, A3+ and A2 packs of 25 to 100 sheets. From£21.62 gb.colorconfidence.com
Canson Infinity Rag Photographique 310gsm
Suitable for both regular photo and fine-art applications, Canson Infinity’s Rag Photographique is a museum-grade paper with a smooth white tone, achieved by “adding natural minerals to the manufacturing process”. The paper uses a 100% cotton rag base, and is compatible with either pigment or dye inks. Providing a superb range of tones, the paper claims one of the highest Dmax ratings currently available, so rich colours and deep blacks are guaranteed. For fade-free longevity and clarity of printing, the paper dries instantly, is water resistant, uses no optical brightening agents, and is acid free. It’s available in a similarly excellent rangeofsizesincludingstandard,A4, A3, A3+, A2 and 17in, 24in, 36in, 44in and 60in rolls. From£32.73 canson-infinity.com
RotatrimProfessional M24 Any serious inkjet print maker knows the need for good presentation of their work, and if you’re making non-standard sized prints, that starts with a good quality trimmer. Investing in a good trimmer will provide a lifetime of service with perfectly cut edges, so step forward Rotatrim’s Professional M24; an exceptional product, made with high-qualitymaterials and precision engineered components, meticulously hand assembled in England. Its Sheffield Steel self-sharpening blades cut up to 610mm (24in) A2 papers and slice through thicknesses up to 3mm, while its twin guide rails deliver a smooth action. Features such as metal end frames and head, solid laminate gridded baseboard with aluminiumside rule give an assured feeling of quality. £224.99 rotatrim.com
Ilford Galerie Prestige Gold Fibre Silk 310 Ilford Galerie’s Prestige Gold Fibre Silk paper features a traditional fibre base giving it the look and feel of a traditional baryta photo paper. The inkjet layer is applied directly to the barium sulphate (baryta) layer leading to imageswithexcellent colour gamut and vivid reproduction; it also provides the silky finish, creamy looking whites and velvety blacks of a traditional silver halide photo paper. The paper also produces
Fotospeed PlatinumEtching 285 Signature
Boasting a 25% cotton and 75% alpha-cellulose mix, Platinum Etching 285 is a 100% acid free, fine-art paper that’s been lauded by professionals including landscape specialist Charlie Waite. The paper has a soft, velvet like textured surface and a natural white base providing a high Dmax rating and a wide colour gamut. It’s claimed that when used in conjunction with pigment inks, the paper will ensure a print life of more than 85 years, and
exceptional sharpness and fine detail and allows an extended tonal range, so you don’t need to worry about losing detail in highlight and shadow areas. All in all, it’s equally at home when producing colour or black & white prints and is available in sheets fromA4 to A2, as well as 12mrolls from 17in to 50in inwidth. From£24.76 ilfordphoto.com
it’s compatible with dye-based inks, too. PlatinumEtching 285 Signature is available in an impressive range of sizes from 8x8in or 12x12in square formats, panoramic sheets and pre-scored A6 cards, to more regular fare like A4, A3, A3+ and A2 sheets. 15m rolls are also available in 24in, 36in and 44inwidths. From£20.99 fotospeed.com
Epson SureColor SC-P800 Epson’s SC-P800 is a state-of-the-art inkjet printer; a top-of-the-range A2 desktopmodel whichmakes use of a nine- colour ink set. Add inEpson’sUltraChromeHD inks, and you can expect true-to-life, vivid colours, precise detail and deep blacks. The P800 also offers real freedom in the range of media you can use; it supports rolls of paper, meaning you can enjoy sumptuous panoramic prints, while the front-loading fine-art paper path (one of three paths) allows loading of thick, textured sheets. The P800 also offers Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can print direct from your camera, computer or smart device, and it’s equippedwith a 2.7in touchscreen, featuring an easy-to-followuser guide. £979 epson.co.uk
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