I usually use a C86 with MIS UT EZW inks for A4 prints.

But I have this R800 sitting around and I hardly ever work in color. I
don't do digital capture. I scan b/w negs.

So I got curious.

Mode -> greyscale
Mode -> assign profile Gray 2.2

Print with preview. Document source Gray 2.2, Print Space as source

In the Epson driver I set ICM and then turned off further conversion
(just pass it through).

It was a little too dark. Warm, but too dark.

I piffed up the brightness in Photoshop (+5) and tried again.

Not bad. Not bad at all. I'm printing on Epson Premium Glossy. I wanted
to see a glossy print, that's why I even bothered with this. I have the
CIS with Eboni black so glossy is usually not an option on the C86.

You might want to give it a try. I suspect the Kirkwood everyone is
pleased with would work quite well also.

Daniel Ridings
http://www.dlridings.com/paw2005/16.html