Digital BW, The Print

I also take 5x4 (100TMax).  But I scan at high resolution (16bit
2400dpi on my 4870) for different reasons that I've seen in this
thread.  It creates a file of just under 200MB.  Firstly, and perhaps
most importantly, it creates a backup of my analogue negative - which
I store securely off line for the dreaded day that negatives are
damaged or destroyed.  But I then have a large file which I can either
work on to provide a multi-purpose final file, i.e. one that I can
print at any size up to its maximum, or I can downsize to work on at a
specific resolution for a specific purpose.

I have heard that I could achieve the same secure effect by creating
smaller files and then using something like "Genuine Fractals"
software to create larger files if they're ever needed.  But I've not
looked into that, and I have a concern about recreating detail from
something that wasn't there!

Steve Gledhill
http://www.virtuallygrey.co.uk


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pdcorlis"
<pdcorlis@a...> wrote:
> 
> I looked through the archives of the Epson scanner forums but
couldn't seem to find a 
> direct answer to my question so here goes...
> 
> I use an Epson 3200 to scan B&W negs for printing and have generally
scanned my 4X5 
> negatives at their original size and at 1600 dpi - so when the day
comes, I can print 
> 11x14's at 600 (or so) dpi. I'm new to this brave new world so I'm
wondering if other large 
> format photographers in the group have a different take on this. I
want to scan at a high 
> enough resolution to preserve detail, but not too high a resolution
to aviod HUGE 
> Photoshop files.
> 
> Thanks for any help you can offer
> 
> Phil C.