Digital BW, The Print

Sanders, other photogs:
Sanders: I like the nudes. I have been shooting film since the '60's.
 Havn't done much since '93- been struggling with my business; but
want to get back into it.  It seems that film>scanner>photoshop>Epson
may be the hot setup.  I've had some communications with John Custodio
(see his website), and he is shooting Velvia (or current equivalent)
and scanning on his own Imacon- then printing with (I think) Epson
7600 with BW inks.  I bought a Nikon D100 two years ago- pics just
don't seem to compare- but it's a great camera.  My best work is is
done with a Calumet C-1 8 x 10 view camera on Tri-X with a 1/3 stop
pull (EI 250ASA) in D76.  I contact-print these only: I don't like
what an enlarger does to pictures.  Shots are mostly of people in bars
or street festivals shot with strobe or inderect ambient sunlight
against white background (basically mugshots).  I have an Epson 3200
(Sanders: is the 4900 better?) and it doesn't do bad, but no 8 x 10
film scan option.  I sent one of my 8 x 10's BW negs to PepinScan
(they're about half local scan fees) in Canada for a color drum scan
for a 100Mb file ($55?).  (Don't know if I can live with the idea of
sending my films thru the mail)  The image is mindboggling- I printed
it on my 2000p and other than metamerism, image is very 3-D and
stunning.  Just got an Epson 4800 and am just trying to get to know it
and get dialed in on a paper (I think it's going to be Epson Ultra
smooth matte or equivalent).  I've printed with it briefly on EEM. 
1)print in color (Adobe RGB) mode, prepare file in PS as a "tri-tone",
creating 1 black and 2 greys.  2) print in color mode with Adobe RGB
setting  3) print in "advanced BW" mode.  All pretty good- tritone
appears more precise.

I want to scan my 8 x 10: any suggestions on a scanner that I can live
with (price v quality), or should I bite the bullet an send them out
at $50 - $100 a pop?  Thanks, Kip.    


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, sandersm@a...
wrote:
> 
> > > ... If anyone is left that still captures on film would
> > > like to hear your film/developer combos for this print workflow.
> > >
> > 
> 
> Count me in.   I am shooting entirely in 4x5 and 5x7 black and white
film.   
> I shoot a ton of Tri-X 320, that I expose at EI 160 (to open up
shadows).   I 
> also shoot some Bergger 200, which I expose at EI 100.   I'm
processing both 
> in Rodinal, in JOBO tanks.
> 
> I've recently returned to the darkroom and am contact-rpinting my
stuff for 
> the most part.   On the digital side, I am scanning now on an Epson
4990, and 
> before this one the Epson 3200, both controlled with the Epson
driver in 
> Professional mode.   If nudity does not offend, you can see the
results on my site, 
> www.mcnew.net.   
> 
> Paul, if you're reading this, and you want some Tech Pan, I've got a
bunch of 
> 120 rolls in the fridge.   Drop me a note if you are interested.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Sanders McNew
> www.mcnew.net
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]