Digital BW, The Print

>> Oversampling and
>> upsampling has always seemed like just more bandaids.
> 
> Not a bandaid at all.  ALL digital output requires some kind of filter to
> smooth out the stepping, it's just part of digital to analog conversion....
> I can explain it in detail if you like.

Isn't this similar to the argument for sharpening?

I've always heard the "need" for sharpening explained something like, "all
CCD scans require some kind of sharpening to compensate for the softening
effects of scanning, it's just part of the analog to digital conversion, as
optics are involved which can soften and image, and CCDs are prone to blur
and smear."

However I totally agree the need for it is an aesthetic choice, and all
scanners are not created equal.

Todd