[APML] Slightly OT : Any experience with Lambda or LighJet prints of astrophotos?

[Michael Greger <mgreger@dashmail.net>]

I thought it would be nice to make some "professional" prints of some of
my astrophotos.  The lab I use has a Durst Lambda 130 that will do
prints up to 50" wide on several types of paper including a "metalic"
paper and DuraTrans.  It uses tri-color lasers to output to normal C41
or RA4 paper.

This sounded like the perfect way to make some big enlargements.  I have
profiled my monitor, so it seemed like it would be easy to get a print
that closely matched my monitor...

Well, unfortunately, the results have been very dissapointing so far.
The first test print with no adjustments was way too red and green.  The
technician made some adjustments and got closer, but still, I was not
pleased with the result vs. my cheap inkjet.

I intend to try a different lab for comparison.  But, this lab is good
at what they do (they handle a lot of stuff for Nike and other well
known companies...).

My question, has anyone on the list tried either the Lambda or LightJet
for AP's?  Were you successful at matching the colors you wanted?  I
realize that no photo on paper can match the gamut of my monitor, but,
this was not even close to what I expected...

In general, inkjets seem to have lots of advantages.  But, I really like
the look of the metalic paper and I really, really want to backlight a
couple of shots.  I don't think these sorts of things can be done with
inkjets.  Am I wishing for the impossible???

Thanks for any tips,
Mike


--  APML Archives at <http://astro.umsystem.edu/apml/>  ---
             Unsubscribe at <majordomo@seds.org>