Digital BW, The Print

Paulo,

> I have with my Leaf Volarie 6 mp 3 shot chip used in a 1 shot
> mode...giving me B/W capture only just blow film out
> of the water, I have a tonal range and quality of image that I can
> not even come close to in the wet darkroom.

That certainly hasn't been my experience.  I also use a Leaf 6M camera (as
well as a 7k scanning back), and I get better B&W (and color) results using
film with my Hasselblad.  6M only gives you 2000 x 3000, and that, at 200PPI
to the printer gives you a 10 x 15 image without rezzing it up...and that's
quite low PPI to the printer, mind you.  It can make pretty decent 8x10s
though...but the tonality doesn't come near to comparing.

> I recently upgraded to a
> Sinar 44 16 mp chip and the results are even better now. ...The best I can
get is 8 stops from film I get 11 from
> the chip.

Then you are not using your film as well as it can be used.  I routinely get
11 stops from B&W film.  Also, you are tethered as well as require your
images to be still for the MINUTES it takes to make the scan.

Digital certainly has it's place, but for B&W, it certainly doesn't "blow
film out of the water".  It has certain advantages, and film has certain
advantages.  You have to tailor your use to your needs.

Austin