Digital BW, The Print

I am using a flatbed scanner to scan 4x5 negatives quite successfully. Specifically I am using the Epson Expression 1680 scanner with the transparency hood. This is a rugged, pro-type scanner that goes to 1600/3200dpi optically. This scanner is a couple years old and by now there are probably better and cheaper equivalents. You can check it out at:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product/223903/EPE1680US/REG/1152

1600dpi is plenty of resolution, actually more than you will need, for scanning in 4x5 negatives and printing them to 11x14. Before I got this scanner I had my negatives scanned in on Heidelberg and Imacon scanners at digital photo shops. Yes, scans from these high end machines are marginally better (you get to see the edges of the grain particles on the negative a bit more crisply). But for my kind of work they are not worth 60 bucks a whack. And, if you live in a small town like me, you will have to send your precious negatives off through the mail to god-knows-who.

35mm is another story. For it you will need a dedicated film scanner.

Jim Richey
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: nedbuntline2002 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 9:55 AM
  Subject: [Digital BW] Can Someone Tell Me Where To Go?


  I'm making the leap into B&W digital printing this year from the wet 
  process, and I'm assembling the knowledge and equipment I need.  I 
  have a pretty good handle on the printers and software, but need help 
  on the scanning side.

  I do mostly 4X5 with some 35mm.  Finding a 35mm scanner is no 
  problem, but 4X5 is another story.  Outside of a $14K drum scanner, 
  about the only other ones I see are flatbed reflective scanners with 
  a drawer for negs.  I've been told of problems using these for 4X5.  
  Also, I'm not sure about what resolution I should shoot for when 
  taking 4X5s and 35mm negs to 11X14 digital prints (for comparable wet 
  process resolution).

  Can anyone point me to a website, newsgroup, or Yahoo group that 
  could provide help?

  THANKS!


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