Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "George A. Dibble III" 
<gadibbleiii@h...> wrote:
> Thanks for the response.  
> 
> How much memory is needed under Windows 2000 for the best 
resolution 
> of a 2-1/4 square negative, B&W and Color?

George,

I recently did some 6x6 16-bit, color scans for a friend and they 
resulted in a 450MB file. A 16 bit B&W scan would be about 1/3 this 
size or 150MB. Photoshop recommends that your system memory be 5 to 7 
times the size of the file which would put it up at 2.5 to 3.5GB of 
memory for the color and 0.75 to 1GB for the grayscale. 

I am currently running on 1.5GB of PC-133 RAM. The newer generation 
of motherboards using PC2100 or PC800 modules will accommodate up to 
3 and 4GB but the modules are very pricey right now. In six months to 
a year.... 

My 6x7 negs produce 550MB files which I open and I do a basic overall 
levels and curves adjustments. I then change the mode to 16-bit 
grayscale or to 8-bit RGB which brings the files to a more manageable.

> 
> You indicated that the Sprintscan 120 outputs in 12 and 14 bit 
mode.  
> I'm not too literate on when one would use one mode over the other, 
> but how is it that Photoshop supports 8 & 16 bit and the Polaroid 
> outputs in 12 and 14 bits?

The hardware bit depth of the scanner is separate from the standard 8 
to 16-bit working spaces. The scanner software simply maps the raw 
data from the scanner into the space you instruct it to.

> 
> I gather that this isn't a problem scanning into photoshop, but how 
> does it work?  MY HP S20 scans in either 8 or 16 bit, so the 
> compatibility to Photoshop is clear.  Does Photoshop automatically 
> convert it to 8 bit, or what?  How's it work with the Piezography 
> software?

Scanners generally scan at a fixed setting, which is determined by 
its electronics. This is called a raw scan and ideally your software 
will allow you to get a raw scan without any manipulation in 16-bit 
space. Everything else is handled by software. The S20 is a 12-bit 
scanner and the scanning software allows you to receive that in 
either an 8 or 16-bit space.

Photoshop will let you work, to a very limited extent, in 16-bit. 
Only in 8-bit are all the tools available. Most people like to stay 
in 16-bit as long as they can or never leave it. There are ways to 
work around the 16-bit limitations. With the new Piezo you can print 
from 8 or 16-bit space but it must be in grayscale.

Martin