Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Antonis" 
<antonisphoto@y...> wrote:
> > Have you scanned B&W negs with an Imacon (I have the 646) and can 
offer any 
> > experience/tips?
> 
> 
> Dave,
> 
> I have used the Precision III and 848 with no problems as far as 
dynamic range goes.
> Focus and curl are another story. I think for curly negs - or curly 
ends of 35mm strips -
> you can't beat a good drum scan. Generally these scanners do their 
best for medium
> and large format. I have no complaints from 35mm bw, but (a) you 
can't scan all the
> way to the edge as you would in a drum and (b) supporting end-
frames is a hassle.
> In the non-autofocus models (P III etc), focus is also an issue. 
> That said, I find that the vast majority of bw negs will do well on 
the imacons
> with no need for the expense and wear and tear of going through oil 
mounting
> for a drum scan. 
> 
> I prefer to scan in grayscale, high bit (if needed for the specific 
image) and reverse
> in the imacon software (i.e. get a positive preview and scan). I 
recommend you be careful
> not to clip either end of the scale, which means you will waste a 
few bits for safety
> and fix later in PS. Also, I wouldn't apply too steep a contrast 
curve, allowing room
> for work later. At the same time, you want to come as close to your 
final print 
> as you can, overall. That is, get a preview that looks as if you 
printed it at the
> right contrast and exposure - just not with dodge and burns yet. If 
you do that
> well, you can scan in 8bit and save time and space. If not, 16bit 
scans will
> help you down the line.
>  
> Beware of USM issues, especially with bw high speed negs. Start 
from -120 and 
> keep increasing until it just compensates for the CCD softness. Do 
the rest in
> Photoshop (or whatever editing s/w you use).
> 
> I assume you are aware of the imacon forum (on yahoo). If you need 
the link let me know.
> 
> Antonis

Hello Antonis:

I would like to know the link for the Imacon forum.

-Nathan Jones