Digital BW, The Print

> I have gathered by now that scanning silver halide films is not 
easy. 
> I wonder, as a 'dumb newbie' to the field if someone would 
step up 
> and tell me the short answers to the following questions:
> 1)Which (not too expensive) scanner is best for black and 
white?

I've been using a Nikon 8000 and have been very happy with the 
quality of the scans for silver films as well as dye films, slide, 
and negative. I am also amazed with the grain removal software 
that comes with the scanner (part of the ICE cubed package). It 
works wonders with color negative film, though it is time 
consuming.


> 2)Is there any LOSS of Quality using a color slide (or neg) and 
> converting to monochrome (I usually do this in channel mixer 
after 
> obtaining what looks like the right filtration). Is this 'cheating' 
> in any way?

Cheating? Never.  I think it has a little different look than 
traditional b&w films but if you get the image that you want, 
terrific.


> I'm sure these are old questions and that those among you 
who are the 
> most expert will find them boring.
> Thanks,
> ML
> --


I wasn't too bored. hope I helped.
-bruce