Digital BW, The Print

I believe that. Even the best digital recievers only use about 3/4s of 
the dynamic range. Even at that we are taking 11 or 12 bits. If you scan 
a 8 bits you probably get 6 bits dynamic range.

But 876 to 2982 in your example is 11 bits quantization and is much 
better than most photgraphic papers and inkjet printers are capable of 
separating. So I would think that compressing the max amout of detail 
into the dynamic range of the negative is still the way to go.

Truman

Austin Franklin wrote:

> Hi Truman,
>
> Typically, when you scan in high bit mode, the data only occupies a small
> portion of the actual 16 bits, for example, values 876 to 2982.  You 
> can see
> this by taking a raw scan into PhotoShop, and checking the histogram.
> Remember, the histogram is only an 8 bit histogram (upper 8 bits of the 16
> bits), but the actual data will only occupy a small portion of the overall
> values.
>
> Also, because you are using 16 bit data, doesn't mean the data is actually
> 16 bits...most scanners are only 12 or 14 bits at best...
>
> Regards,
>
> Austin