Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "J Michael
Sullivan" <michael@h...> wrote:

big snip...
I'm sorry Michael, but I take issue with almost every point you make.
But it seems everyone is sick of this discussion so I won't respond
with the mini-novel point for point response simmering in my brain.

> P.S. assuming someone has unlimited memory & harddisk space then go
ahead, scan 
> away at 16 bits -- at least there is no harm!

Well there you go, and that's the point.
By the way, 16 bit gray files are still a snap compared to even the 8
bit RGB or CMYK files we deal with every day.

> P.P.S in my experience, a lot of the 16bit vs 8bit argument involves
a perverse form of 
> bragging --

Thank you sir, I guess I'm overdue for some soul searching. In the
meantime I'll continue labor under the illusion that most of us here
are trying to optimize our workflows to approach the very high
standards set by a legacy of amazing B&W photography. I can see
justifying working in 8 bit gray, but I can't see advocating it.
Tyler