Digital BW, The Print

Darrell,

The one suggestion I have is to circumvent the digital
camera.  An excellent film scanner will cost the same
as a good digital body (Canon 10d or Nikon d100) - so
if you are accustomed to film cameras, there is no
reason to stop using them.  This will allow greater
controls than is possible with the digital body alone
- and you don't have to buy any additional lenses,
equipment, etc.

Don


--- darrelleifert <darrelleifert@...> wrote:
> Hi Don --
> 
> Thanks for the CMOS/CCD information.  That's what I
> suspected, and 
> that's what gives me pause about moving to digital. 
> By using n-1, n-
> 2 development times and a good exposure, we can with
> film capture 
> more tonal detail from high-contrast scenes and thus
> create a 
> greater dramatic impact. Or so it seems at first
> glance.  Perhaps I 
> just haven't read enough on how to handle
> high-contrast scenes with 
> a digital camera.  Any suggestions??
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com,
> "D. Hill" 
> <hill14701@y...> wrote:
> > Darrell,
> > 
> > CMOS and CCD chips are more similar to slide film
> than
> > of black and white film, being as they have much
> less
> > latitude.  From basic camera controls in initial
> > capture, there is not a method to stretch the
> latitude
> > of the CCD.  
> > 
> > You can mimic the effects of n-1, n-2. etc., from
> > various controls in photoshop - but that defeats
> the
> > purpose of placing specific values or zones on
> site.
> > 
> > As the digital camera is just an imaging device,
> you
> > can apply zone system techniques for far less work
> in
> > photoshop.
> > 
> > My capture process:
> > 
> > 1. Read scene with handheld lightmeter, placing my
> > important value.  I have determined the optimal
> ISO of
> > my 10d is 80 with my materials.
> > 2. Capture in RAW mode.
> > 3. Transfer images to photoshop as 16 bit tiff.
> > 4. Convert image to greyscale.
> > 
> > At this point the specific zone placed will fall
> > exactly where I want it - without levels or curves
> > manipulation.  The process is quite simple, and
> saves
> > hours in photoshop.  I save this as my master
> file,
> > making any corrections then printing.
> >  
> > Write me directly if you would like to know my
> process
> > for determining the proper ISO for digital, as
> well as
> > constructing a zone ruler to see the latitude of
> your
> > imaging chip.
> > 
> > Don
> > 
> > 
> > --- darrelleifert <darrelleifert@y...> wrote:
> > > Hi Folks --
> > > 
> > > Forgive me if this is a *very* basic question
> that
> > > has been answered 
> > > before, but a web search hasn't turned up much
> > > useful information.  
> > > 
> > > The well-known advantage of using B&W film is
> the
> > > ability to expand 
> > > or contract developing times in order to obtain
> both
> > > shadow and 
> > > highlight detail in the finished print.  When
> using
> > > a digital camera 
> > > to make what will eventually become a "fine art"
> B&W
> > > print, is there 
> > > any known technique that mimics the N-1 or N-2
> film
> > > development 
> > > process?  Thanks!
> > > 
> > > -- Darrell
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> > __________________________________
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> 
> 


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