Kodak CIS-201 specifications Why Does This Happen?, What Does This Mean For Labs?

CURRENT INFORMATION SUMMARY

March 2000 • CIS-201

Printer Conversion to

KODAK EKTACOLOR Edge 8 and EKTACOLOR ROYAL VIII Papers

KODAK EKTACOLOR Edge 8 and ROYAL VIII Papers incorporate new image-forming components to deliver improved colors. These new papers are designed so that a visually neutral patch will result in approximately balanced red, green, and blue densities when measured with densitometers that conform to ANSI Status A responses. Some densitometers that do not conform to ANSI Status A responses may produce non-matched red, green, and blue densities for a neutral patch on these new papers. Labs that use these non-Status A densitometers must compensate for the differences in densitometer performance when they set up printers for the new papers.

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Densitometers fall into two classes: (1) for analytical use and

(2) for comparative use.

Analytical densitometers conform to an ANSI standard called “Status A.” Status A densitometers correlate colors similarly to the human eye through a wide color and density range. These densitometers will give similar readings for KODAK EKTACOLOR Edge 7/ROYAL VII and EKTACOLOR Edge 8/ROYAL VIII Papers if the prints appear visually matched.

Comparative densitometers are designed to match prints to a specific density. They are not intended for use over a wide range of densities and colors, and they do not see colors as the human eye does. These densitometers are often used in printing systems as a part of a minilab or a high-speed printer. They produce consistent measurements in the ranges used for printer setup. However, with KODAK EKTACOLOR Edge 8 or ROYAL VIII Paper, they do not measure the neutral aim patches as neutral. For example, an aim print on EKTACOLOR Edge 8/ROYAL VIII Paper measures 0.80 red, 0.80 green, and 0.80 blue with a Status A densitometer. The same print may measure 0.70 red, 0.80þgreen, and 0.80 blue with a comparative densitometer.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LABS?

New EKTACOLOR Edge 8 and ROYAL VIII Papers provide many performance advantages. But when they are used with densitometers that do not conform to Status A specifications, results may vary. Labs that use these non-Status A densitometers must compensate for differences

in densitometer performance when setting up their printers for the new papers.

When you are ready to convert to KODAK EKTACOLOR Edge 8 or ROYAL VIII Paper, follow the procedure below to determine how your densitometer performs. Once you’ve determined the densitometer performance, choose the appropriate compensation procedure (if one is necessary).

To Determine If Compensation Is Required

1.Print your “Normal” Printer Control Negative on EKTACOLOR Edge 7 or ROYAL VII Paper at the aim density.

2.With EKTACOLOR Edge 8 or ROYAL VIII Paper, balance to match the density readings from Step 1.

3.Compare the two prints. If the prints match visually, follow normal printer paper conversion procedures (see your printer manual). If the print from Step 2 appears cyan, the densitometer is reading EKTACOLOR Edge 8 or ROYAL VIII Paper differently. You will need to follow one of the compensation procedures below.

Note: Compensation procedures have not been prepared for equipment that produces matched prints in Step 3 of the procedure above. If your printer is not included in the list below, follow your equipment manufacturer’s paper setup instructions.

COMPENSATION PROCEDURES

If you have one of the printers in the following list, choose the appropriate procedure:

Compensation Procedure for NORITSU 1401/1501 Printers

Compensation Procedure for NORITSU 1801 Micro Printer

Compensation Procedure for NORITSU 1701/1702 Printers (without NOUS Scanner)

Compensation Procedure for NORITSU 901, 1001, 1201, and 1202 Printers

Compensation Procedure for COPAL Minilab, Models 1B, 1C, 5C, 5C II, 5L, 5S

Compensation Procedure for AGFA MSP Printers Compensation Procedure for AGFA MSC Printers Compensation Procedure for GRETAG Masterlab Compensation Procedure for GRETAG Masterflex

©Eastman Kodak Company, 2000