Digital BW, The Print

Mark Hahn asked about scanning Tri-X.

Mark, I have used two consumer scanners that handled Tri-X well.   If you're 
shooting 120 roll film, the Epson 2450/3170/3200 will do a good job, at least 
if you put the filmstrip directly onto the glass, emulsion side down (to avoid 
Newton rings).   It has a diffuse light source, that seems to yield pleasing 
results when scanning b+w negatives.   Many have panned it as a tool for 
scanning 35mm film, but as I scan 120 roll film and 4x5 sheets, I cannot speak to 
that from experience.

If you are willing to spend the extra money, the Microtek 120tf film scanner 
and its predecessor, the Polaroid 120 Sprintscan, both work really well with 
Tri-X and other b+w emulsions.   Again, people who understand the machines 
attribute their ability to handle b+w films to the nature of their light source.   
I have an Epson 3200 as well as the Microtek, and each has its strengths, but 
both handle Tri-X quite nicely.   I do not claim to be a pro, but if you 
visit my photographs at www.mcnew.net, all of them are scans of film from one or 
the other of these two machines (most of them with the Microtek), and most of 
them are shot onto Tri-X, developed mostly in HC-110.   

Sanders McNew
www.mcnew.net


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