Digital BW, The Print

on 9/2/2002 7:35 AM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com at
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> Message: 8
> Date: Sun, 1 Sep 2002 17:31:38 -0700
> From: "Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@...>
> Subject: RE: Re: BW 35mm scanner: Canon 4000 or Microtek 4000
> 
> Bruce,
> 
> Have you compared the grain structure of color neg film vs. chromagenic
> B&W, such as Kodak's CN400 or Ilford's XP-1?  They should look similar,
> since neither uses a silver grain, but rather clumps of dye, similar to
> color film?
> 
> Karl Wolz
> 
> I find the most noticeable difference in the tonality of the deep
> shadows
> and the grain structure throughout the print.
> 
> -Bruce

Karl,

In theory, I agree with your statement. From experience, I've found that
CN400 is smoother than most if not all color neg film in grain. I have shot
only one roll of ilford c-41 film and found it to be very grainy in the
shadows and fine grained in the high mid tone and highlights. I don't like
this effect personally.

I guess my original point is that grain from dye clouds in color film are
just uglier for some reason than grain from silver b&w film.

For a grain free image, this is not an important difference, for 35mm b&w
where grain can stand out, it  becomes part of the esthetic.
 
-Bruce