Digital BW, The Print

Thanks everyone, for your comments. I guess, just like most things, 
there is no set "right" way to work in the digital darkroom. I'll be 
taking the plunge soon and aquiring a mid-range scanner/printer 
combo and look forward to learning the old-fashioned way how to 
achieve the results I want. More importantly, I intend to stop 
worrying about every little pixel and get out there and TAKE THOSE 
PICTURES! BTW, this is perhaps the most active, informative and 
helpful group I've run across. Keep up the good work!

Ed Metz

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Richard 
Sintchak <rich815@g...> wrote:
> Like Chuck I too have scanned lots of silver-based B&W negs on my
> Nikon LS-4000 with great results.  The light source theory about 
one
> being "better" than the other for B&W scanning is just that, 
theory. 
> Reality is one must take a renewed approach in their entire 
workflow
> if they are to be scanning versus printing B&W in the traditional
> darkroom.  A lot of the basic B&W shooting workflow from exposure,
> development technique, etc may need tweaking to get the best 
results
> from scanner you'll be using.  I've scanned on Nikon, Minolta, 
Canon
> and Epson scanners and have gotten great and poor results from all 
of
> them with B&W negs.  And I did not find one or the other "easier" 
or
> "better" for B&W.  I did find the Nikon LS-4000 to be the best 
overall
> so that's the one I use primarily today for my 35mm work.
> 
> Richard
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: cschaible94111 <cschaible@c...>
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 15:43:49 -0000
> Subject: [Digital BW] Re: B&W Negative Scanner Suggestions
> To: digitalblackandwhitetheprint@yahoogroups.com
> 
> Ed:
> 
> I've scanned lots and lots of 35mm Tri-X on a Nikon 4000 and 
printed 
> it with a 1280 using Piezo Selenium Tone inks with good results.  
> Grain is an issue, but Tri-X has grain; some people think the 
grain 
> is the best thing about it.  Scan at 4000 spi; turn off all forms 
of 
> processing in the scanner; be careful (be very careful) when you 
> sharpen it.  And good luck!
> 
> Chuck
> 
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "jim0266" 
> 
> 
> <jim0266@y...> wrote:
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com,
> > "naturalphoto2001" <emetz45@h...> wrote:
> > > I am new here and hope that this isn't too off topic, but my 
goal 
> is 
> > > to produce quality inkjet prints from 35mm B&W negatives. I 
> intend 
> > > to use a "classic" silver film, such as Tri-X or HP5 and am 
> > > generally aware of the associated problems with grain when 
> scanning 
> > > these films. If (perhaps a BIG IF) I can get acceptable scans 
> from 
> > > these negs, I plan on printing on either a 1280 or 2200 and 
> expect 
> > > to investigate the carbon inks.
> > > 
> > > My preliminary tests with a Minolta Dimage III were quite 
> > > frightening, but I am beginning to learn how to minimize the 
> grain 
> > > using Neat Image and other Photoshop methods. My question is 
for 
> > > anyone out there working with similar films, formats and 
methods.
> > > 
> > > What scanners and workflow methods are gving you great 
results? 
> > > Scanners that I would consider in my price range are the 
Minolta 
> > > Dimage IV, 5400 or maybe even the MultiPro; the Artixscan 
4000tf; 
> or 
> > > the Nikon 5000ED. Thanks in advance for any insights.
> > > 
> > > Ed Metz
> > 
> > Please see http://www.jimarnold.org/4000tf/ and
> > http://www.jimarnold.org/1280/
>