Robert, The extra 1400dpi for one does result in smoother, better tonality. And as I mentioned regarding grain, the Minolta minimizes apparent graininess very considerably. Most of the problems a lot of people have scanning silver based B&W film comes from the fact the ramping algorithms in the driver software for B&W film are not well developed most of the R&D by scanner companies has been applied to scanning color positives. My solution is to scan silver-based black and white as a positive in 48-bit RAW files, which I then correct in several steps before and after inverting from a negative image to a positive. This technique I wrote up as a how-to in Shutterbug magazine about 3 years ago. I recently did a couple of hundred 17x22 prints testing the Epson Pro 4000, and many of them were 35mm images scanned with the Minolta 5400 with the image size printed set at 15x20 inches. When I did all my printing in a wet darkroom I seldom printed 35mm larger than 11x14. Now some of those same images look even better, larger, after scanning and printing digitally. Regards, David B. Brooks Shutterbug Magazine E-mail: fotografx@... On 10/15/04 10:12 PM, "Robert" <la_native@...> wrote: > > David, thank you for your informative comments. Given you positive > feelings about the Minolta, is there a noticeable difference compared > to the older Canon fs4000? Yes, there's an additional 1,400dpi > resolution, but does that provide for better tonality? > > With my Canon, the best film for scanning is the b&w chromogenics (TCN > and Xp-2). Tri-x and most silver-based films don't look so great -- > the grain tends to block up and mess with the tone transitions. > > -Robert Ades > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "David B. Brooks" > <fotografx@m...> wrote: >> > Robert, >> > >> > Shortly after its announcement I had the opportunity to test and > report on >> > the Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400, which appeared in Shutterbug > magazine >> > some issues back. I also tested and reported on the Canon 4000FS > some months >> > before. I have not reviewed a Nikon scanner for some time, not because I >> > have any issue with the scanner itself as it is very fine hardware, but >> > because the software is the worst in its class and the scanner is on > that >> > basis grossly over-priced. >> > >> > The one outstanding feature, especially applied to scanning B&W > silver-based >> > film is the 5400dpi optical resolution. That is a distinct advantage not >> > just because it will natively support making 16x24 inch by 300dpi > scans, but >> > the high resolution avoids a pattern interference problem with film > grain, >> > particularly with grainier film processed with acutance developers (low >> > sodium sulfite formula¹s) like Acufine and particularly Rodinal. In >> > addition, the Minolta has a Grain Dissolver feature which is > actually a very >> > fine diffusion filter, which combined with the scanners tube light > source >> > that also reduces apparent graininess and avoids highlight blocking, > which >> > can occur with some 35mm dedicated scanners with a more collimated light >> > source (like the difference printing with a diffusion versus and > condenser >> > enlarger). >> > >> > If it makes any difference, being an old f... With 3/4 of my film > library in >> > B&W, my reaction after testing the Minolta was to ask for invoice > sending >> > Minolta a check instead of returning the scanner. >> > >> > Regards, David B. Brooks >> > Shutterbug Magazine >> > E-mail: fotografx@m... >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > On 10/15/04 8:07 PM, "Robert" <la_native@h...> wrote: >> > >>> > > >>> > > I'm having the darnest time getting a comprehensive comparison of the >>> > > Nikon LS5000 and the Minolta 5400 compared to my Canon FS4000. I know >>> > > the newer scanners have lots of new features, faster scanning, better >>> > > bit depth, ICE x 4, etc. >>> > > >>> > > What I want to know is, do either of these scanners work better with >>> > > B&W negatives, OR pull better shadow detail with slides, than the > Canon. >>> > > >>> > > I already have the Canon and can live with its limitations. But I'd >>> > > consider upgrading if the image quality were noticeably better. >>> > > >>> > > All comments w/b appreciated! Thanks! >>> > > >>> > > Robert Ades >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other > resources as >>> > > they are often being updated. >>> > > >>> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint >>> > > >>> > > If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you > wish to >>> > > unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting > this same >>> > > page. >>> > > >>> > > Please follow these basic guidelines: >>> > > - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages > to keep >>> > > them short. >>> > > - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or > flames. >>> > > Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the > membership >>> > > without notice. >>> > > - Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of > digital B&W >>> > > printing. 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Message
Re: [Digital BW] Film Scanners
2004-10-16 by David B. Brooks