In a message dated 4/5/2002 Brian Swale writes:
<< What are "Lightjet prints"? >>
Lightjet is a brand of digital enlarging system that takes digital files
and exposes them on photographic paper which is then chemically
processed. There are many such systems from most of the major commercial
photo finishing equipment suppliers such as Fuji, Kodak, Agfa, Noritsu,
etc. Lightjet tends to be at the high end. Normally monstrous files from
Tango drum scanners are involved. Laser Diodes or other types of LEDS
are used to expose the paper. The process is normally around 300dpi, but
being continuous tone (the LEDs are not just on or off I gather) the
quality is outstanding.
My local lab (Bay Photo Lab) uses a Noritsu 2711 machine with Kodak
paper for this type of process for all custom Type R enlargements and
their new internet Fotowire based service. This is how I am able to
compare custom Type R prints from Provia F and digital prints from my
E-10 files side-by-side in a true apples to apples comparison. (And, at
11x14 the print quality is *very close* believe it or not.) The big
difference between these folks and most low cost internet labs is they
actually have a human machine operator who looks at and evaluates the
image for density and color, and tweaks as required, in the same way as
they do custom Type-R prints. Most inexpensive internet labs are fully
automated and hands free operations I gather. Prior to discontinuing the
service this was an excellent Cibachrome/Ilfochrome lab for years who
have done many prints for me.
You'll start hearing more and more about the Fuji Frontier system which
also uses this process.
Here's a link to one of the better known Lightjet labs that has some
informative information: http://westcoastimaging.com/ High end labs like
this offer gallery quality printing services that apparently allow
larger print sizes than conventional enlarging processes.
Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|