Digital BW, The Print

Hi,

Bill, I think what they are discussing is the definition of the ratio 
of density of a print/negative/slide from its highlight detail to its 
shadow detail.

If say, you buy a scanner which advertising states has a d-max of 4.8 
(equivalent of scanning tinfoil) the buyer assumes (a) This is true 
and (b) the scanner is able to detect detail from 0 - 4.7 density 
(highlight and shadow detail). The analogy with 'noise' I supect is 
the ability of the scanner to determine detail at film base + fog 
(noise) at the shadow end and say barely perceptable shadow detail at 
the bulletproof end (of my negs;?).

The truth may in fact be 1.0 - 4.9 or 2.0 - 5.0. D-max would still be 
4.8 but detail below the 'noise' level (1.0 or 2.0) would be lost. I 
think it must be stated (and is by some manufacturers) 0 - 4.7 or 1 - 
4.9 or whatever.

If all this sounds like rubbish it's merely because I have no idea 
about that which I am speaking.

Now I have to take painkillers for MY headache..:?)

DH