Digital BW, The Print

Austin is 100% right. Run these tests and you will see the results clearly.

One other thing that I have found is regarding grain. I find that by
scanning at the lowest possible optical resolution of the scanner will
reduce prominence of grain. That is on my Howtek D4000 if I scan at 4000 dpi
at 1:1 the negative grain is very clearly evident.

If I choose a lesser opticacal scanner resolution (Howtek provides a chart
of the native optical resolutions) the PMT does not scan the grain and my
images exhibit less grain in the final print. For example a 6x6 negative
scanned at 364dpi (A Howtek D4000 Native Optocal Resolution) at a final
print size of 20"x20".

Mike


Austin Franklin Wrote:
> The best image out you are going to get is to scan at the optical
resolution
> of your scanner, and size the print (not interpolating) and let the PPI
fall
> where it may, providing it's above a certain point.  I've done dozens to
> probably near hundreds of comparison tests, and the overwhelming
conclusion
> is that this gives the best image.  Also, everyone I've suggested this
> methodology to, has said the same thing.
>
> The reasoning is pretty obvious.  Decimating the image information means
> that you are changing the image data that the halftone algorithm is basing
> its decisions on, and that will degrade your output tonality and
sharpness.
> Now, this isn't true with EVERY image on earth, but as a general rule of
> thumb, for me, it has held true.
>
> It is a very easy test you can do for your self.  Scan an image, resize to
> your output size in PS NOT allowing decimation to take place, and let the
> PPI fall where they may to 240PPI.  Print the image.  Take the same image
> and check the little box in re-size to allow decimation, and then change
the
> PPI to 240.  Print it out.  See for your self ;-)