Digital BW, The Print

Alessandro:

>a) Forget what I wrote in the message below: the fluid alone (at
least Kami)
doesn't keep curled film flat. My 6x7 negs are *very* slightly
bent, but
just enough to make the corners raise, and this results in a
white line in
the scan corresponding to the rim of the wet area of the film.
The solution
I found is to lay the film down the other way, so that the
corners push down
rather than up (the curls aren't obviously strong enough to lift
the whole
film). I noticed no difference in scans whether the fluid  is on
the
emulsion side or on the other side.

b) Carefully as I lay the film, I still get the occasional very
tiny air
bubble in the fluid, very hard to detect at naked eye before
scanning, quite
visible in the scan as a brighter area with a much brighter
border. Nothing
that a local burn and the clone tool can't get rid of, still a
bit annoying
(may even force to rescan should it be in a highly detailed area
of the
image where cloning is not a option, e.g. the face of a person).<

A larger sheet of polyester foil taped down over the film really
helps in positioning. A polyethylene squeegee makes it easier to
get the air bubbles out. You can mount the film with more force
without damaging the emulsion as there is the polyester on top.
Put a temporary polyester sheet on top of  all to avoid
scratching of the other poly foil. Take it away before the scan.
See: http://members.chello.nl/e.dinkla/MF_FM_carrier.htm


>c) I seem to get high noise in deep shadows. I'd like to
investigate a bit
before drawing conclusions, as Portra400BW is reportedly a low
density film,
so there should be no problems (especially considering your good
results
with Velvia!). Next roll I shoot I'll try following Tony
Dummett's advice
(look here for details
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=281355
<http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=281355> ) where he
suggests to
rate B&W chromogenics at 100ASA rather than 400 exactly to avoid
grainy and
noisy shadows.<

Correct but don't call it noise. If it is in the film itself it
is just revealed by the wetmounting, contrast is going up and
sharpness as well so what is in the film will be shown. Noise is
an artefact of the CCD.

Pity that the Carabinieri don't drive Moto Guzzi anymore, loved
to see the Falcones pass on the autostrada.

Ernst