Another variable you can test is the size of the small caps. You can adjust this:

"Choose Edit > Preferences > Text (Windows and Mac OS 9), or InDesign > Preferences > Text (Mac OS 10).
For Small Caps, type a percentage of the original font size for text to be formatted as small caps. (The default value is 70%.) Then click OK."

Here's a revised version, with (custom) wider small caps. I think it's better, what do you think?

Type_Sample2.pdf (14.8 k)

The second one is getting a little bit too dark. I guess it's a toss-up between width, weight, and the extra MM effort you mention. I'd just go with your first setting, if that's all you'll use the smallcaps for. But if you're going to use a lot of smallcaps in text, do go for the wider style, assuming you can match the weight better - since you have the Pro, you could try using a larger optical cut of the font, which will be slightly lighter.

hhp

Hrant, I did the second version using MM width and weight scaling. I don't believe Myriad has an optical axis, and if there is an adjustment for optical scaling in the Pro version, I've not found it. To date, these are the only places I've used small caps in this project. I'm a bit apprehensive, as the further I stray from the stock font, the more likely at some point it will come back and bite me. That said, I take note of small things in typography, and try my best to do it right.

> I did the second version using MM width and weight scaling.

Oh, I thought that was the semi. In that case just lighten the smallcaps weight a bit.

hhp

I think your weight is good - but they are a bit too narrow.
Try scaling horizontally, maybe 105%.