Digital BW, The Print

> Can anybody tell me in twenty words or less what the advantage
> is of scanning in 16-bit?

<snip>

> When I've tested it in the past, and resampled from 16 to 8-bit, I
> see absolutely no change in the file. Am I missing something?

Your Imacon scans at 16-bit regardless (probably 14-bit, but why quibble),
And it's software tones your file in 16-bit, regardless. The question then
becomes whether you want the file left in 16-bit for further editing (local
editing, sharpening, cloning, print separation curves, etc) or if you'd
prefer to be doing *those* moves in 8-bit. They scanner only works globally.
Staying in highbit lets you work locally on a highbit file and to maintain
highbit further downstream.

Whether it's worth the effort you'll have to test. My experience is that for
images with lots of texture and detail 8-bit works pretty well. Smooth
gradations, like a glow on seamless paper, can benefit from highbit.

What's the penalty for exceeding my word quota?

Todd