HP 7960

For many people the key strength with this printer will be in its ability to reproduce cast free monochrome pictures. HP recommends using HP Premium Plus Photo Paper for eight ink printing as this will ensure a 73 year life and exploit the advantages of PhotoREt Pro. The only problem is that HP-PPPP papers are limited to glossy or matte surfaces and there are many users who want to use fine art matte paper or other more specialist media. Lets try printing some b/w pictures using non HP media and see what happens.

The first print has been made on HP Premium Plus Photo Paper, this displays an even range of tones throughout, the rendition of tones on the print are accurate to the image on the screen i.e. no colour cast. Once dry the print maintains its glossy feel but where the ink is on the paper there is a slight dull in the gloss. Whilst still drying this media is very delicate and handling should be kept to a minimum for at least 15 minutes.

The second print was made on Canon Photo Paper Pro. This print is very warm, almost but not quite sepia. The ultra high gloss on the Canon media has been well preserved. Prints are dry to touch on exit from the printer. The print has a much lighter look than the HP media, this is especially noticeable in the white building on the left. The paper Type was set to "Other Photo Papers", this setting was also used for all the other prints.

Next I used an economy Ilford Photo Glossy paper "Printasia", I have never had any decent prints from this paper using either Canon or Epson printers, but the HP produced some very good results. The b/w image is neutral without any hint of warm tone, at last I have managed to get a good print from this paper. As with the Canon print, this print is lighter than the HP offering. There is a substantial amount of bronzing in evidence with the paper, this can't be seen on any of the other media.

One of my favourite papers is Epson's Heavyweight Matte, this surface gives photographs a quality all of their own. The print has come out looking warmer than the Canon print, the blacks are a cross between dark chocolate brown and black. The colour will calm down after about 15 minutes or more. If you are creating profiles for any printer then you should let your prints stand for at least one hour or longer. OK, the matte print is dry now and it's looking disappointing, the blacks lack punch and the overall scene just looks dull and uninspired. I won't be recommending this paper for use on this HP printer.

The last paper I am putting through is Kentmere K Classic II fine art textured paper (240 g/m). This paper has produced an exquisite print, the blacks have a similar richness in tone to the HP Premium paper. The only thing that gets in the way of the image is the actual textured finish, with the right picture I am sure this would look very good. Although only 240 g/m this paper feels more like a 300 g/m card, the HP had no problems with feeding this media.

From my small test here, I can see the importance of using the correct media with this printer, results could be erratic with third party papers. HP has made a big thing of their inks, paper, PhotoRet Pro and printer working together as a system, each compliments the other. The best results were do doubt obtained with the recommended media, but this range may be too limiting for some. The 73 years light fastness only applies to HP premium plus photo paper, using other papers and you can expect a similar life to other ink jet prints. The Blue bag I mentioned at the start of this review has come in very useful for storing unused paper, but remember to stick an Avery label on the front to remind yourself what's in the bag.

© Vincent Oliver 2003 www.photo-i.co.uk
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HP Photosmart 7960 printer

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