Digital BW, The Print

Tim:
I jumped in a few weeks ago. I read a lot of the posts here but 99%
were way over my head. Try it, it's not too hard at all to quickly get
reasonable prints ao you don't get discouraged. Then you can start
learning from there.

After much research, I ended up buying a Minolta Dual Scan II for $280
from B&H. I was put off at first by the low price but it really does
everything you need. And, there is very little lost if you later
decide you want to upgrade and sell it for a substantial discount. I
concluded that 4000 dpi gets lost when you print 8 1/2 x 11 anyway. 

I started using Photoshop Elements. It really does what you need. I've
upgraded to Photoshop 7.0 but haven't used any of the high powered
features yet. I only got it because I've ordered the Piezography inks
and curves. 

Right now, I'm printing on a Epson 1280 with straight black. $370
after rebate. The prints are not bad at all. I'm pleased. Plus it was
a low cost, short learning curve, way to start off. I'll be curious to
see the improvement when I get the quad tone ink set and all the stuff
that goes with it. 

So don't think you have to use all that high powered equipment
everyone talks about here. The lower cost equipment will get you going
and you're not out that much if you later find you need to upgrade.
Just jump in and start doing. If I spent some of the time working
instead of analyzing what to buy, I'd probably be even farther ahead
by now. 

Bob Michaels
Apopka FL

 --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Tim Timmermans"
<bugfoot7@a...> wrote:
> Hi gang,
> 
> I was on this group for a couple of months and then have been gone 
> for 8 months. I missed the wealth of information here. I'm
preparing 
> to take the giant leap into making the best prints I can make. I'll 
> be commiting to some kind of CIS, probably some profiles and 
> calibration tools, new camera gear, new monitor etc etc.
> 
> First up though is a new scanner. I have some budget limitations to 
> around $1000 for a scanner. I'm looking at the Canon FS4000 and the 
> Nikon Coolscan in the same price range. Any opinons would be much 
> appreciated as well as suggestions for other scanners that might be 
> better. Right now I'm pretty much limited to the 35mm format with
on 
> only medium format camera being a Holga. I have an epson 1200UPHOTO 
> that I can use for the Holga negs.
> 
> So..Canon or Nikon or something else? Either opinions or links to
pre-
> existing threads or URL's appreciated.
> 
> It's good to be back
> 
> Thanks, Tim Timmermans
> 
> www.timtimmermans.com