My workflow to make a good B&W print starts with a good digital RGB image. In a Lula B&W thread someone asked about the best camera for B&W that was reasonably priced. My recommendation was to buy a used Sony a7r (36 mp full frame). I thought I'd put a similar follow-up message here since the topic involves limited resources (out of production equipment) that I'd rather see this group be able to take advantage of.
So, assuming a good digital body like the Sony a7r, the next step toward getting a very high quality image is obviously a very good lens.
I have the very good Sony-Zeiss FE 35mm f/2.8. It's the lens I use more than any other. This modern optic, with multiple aspherical elements, costs $800 at B&H. As good as the "Zony" 35 is, I like manual focus for landscape shooting. Among other things, it's easier and faster to do a dual-focus image capture when there is a focus stop.
My current MF solution is the 30 year old Canon FD 35mm. The Zony is certainly better from f/2.8 to 5.6, but at f/8 I'll let you decide which is better, the $800 or $80 lens.
See the comparison of the center and worst corner of the series at
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Canon-v-Sony-35mm.jpg
(This was with the new Sony, but the old one is virtually equal for these purposes.)
The lens itself is just part of the story, of course. (I made a custom lens profile for the Canon and also was able to offset most of the focus errors due to slight de-centering on the Canon -- topics I'll probably document in a PDF at some point.) However, the point is, there are some old classics out there that are amazing bargains.
FWIW
Paul
PaulRoark.com -- Paul Roark's Photographic Home