Digital BW, The Print

Richard-

I guess that's why I hesitate to respond to some of these things.  I think
my original intent was that the Digital B&W stuff was becoming "Darkroom
processes," thus the PLI crack.  I notice that some knew what it was, so
must have been around awhile.

Your next statement confuses me, though. Sounds as though you are afgreeing.
After telling me why the film has more control, it now looks as though you
have given that up.  Actually, I was referring to the film, processing,
drying, etc. as the "extra work" when you then move it to digital scans.  No
matter.
=
=IMO, it's not "extra work" at all compared to darkroom.  
=Personally I disliked all the chemical mixing, set up, 
=temperature controlling, working in the dark and then CLEAN 
=UP!  Ugh.  To me all those things more than offset for all the 
=digital "extra work".  Oh, and dust removal was always part of 
=my traditional darkroom experience too.
=
To all-  Those that want to spend the money on their craft for
top-of-the-line digital will get the result that competes with 120 or 4x5.
IMPO. Personally, I wouldn't spend $10-20,000 on a digital back for my
Hassie --I'd shoot film. 

 I neither want to start a film vs. digital thread, nor do I believe that
one media is superior at all times. Film rivals digital in many ways!
Digital rivals film in many ways. But B&W prints from EITHER medium can
compete with each other. PROPERLY done, the viewer would be hard pressed to
know where the digital file came from.

/r,

Seth