Martin B Hebsgaard wrote:

> Hi
>
> This is my first post to the list! I am a Biology student from Denmark
with
> interest in insects. So my problem is related to that.
>
> I am drawing insects with at camera-lucida. At the moment I use various
> pencils and a fibertip pen. In the "Guild of Scientific Illustration" I
can
> see they recomend rapidographs (Technical ink pens). I have ended op
with
> the choice of the following thee types:
>
> The Koh-I-Noor, the Rotring and the MarsMatic (Staedtler).
>
> I there anyone who can recommend one of the abow. I would also like to
know
> how important it is with Jewel piont or Tungsten.
>
> Thanks in adwise,
>
> Best regards,
>
> Martin Bay Hebsgaard

      All  are competent manufacturers.....   if using the traditional
pens
with removable point mechanisms, there are certain advantages....   take
care
of them, and ink is all that is needed to be replaced, and different kinds
may
be used at that....   ink for films, paper, lightfast, colored,
etc........
you can also get smaller point sizes as a rule...  5X0, 6X0......      the
nibs
come in stainless steel, tungsten or jewel....    these are listed in
order of
increasing durability and longevity....   also expense...   jewel tips are
tougher , and wear longer , but smaller sizes, (at last I looked)  can run
up
to $30 US ea.

      Staedtler and Rotring both now have disposable pens (ink cartridge
and
tip combo is replaced)...   they are convenient, less messy and no
maintenance...  but probably more costly if your use of them is heavy.
Staedtler has sizes down to 4X0, and Rotring's disposable does, now,
also...
no choice in ink...   standard black,  I am not too sure if it is the type
that
dries well on film or not....


  I have found, in general, that Staedter Mars pens.. ... Marsmatic
(standard)
and Marsmagmo (disposable cartridge)   to be a good  compromise of
affordability, availability, and reliability......

      Technical pens have been the greatest thing for detailed ink
illustration
since the evolved from Leroy type lettering pens in the 70's  ( or so this
progression that I witnessed )

  been using them ever since...


Stephen