I own 3 HM machines. La pinta, Santa Maria and the adjustable DD. The La Pinta and the DD are capable of achieving great soft shading, depending on how you use them. They can also be used for some really good colour packing. The Santa Maria is a dedicated short stroke (2.5 i think) with a touch of added dampening, and therefore in my opinion is faultless for black and grey. I use mine every day.