Digital BW, The Print

Kip, thanks for the compliment.   

As for your choices in 8x10 scanners, they are pretty limited.   The Epson 
4990 is okay.   If you like the Epson 3200's performance you'll like the 4990's 
-- to my eye the output of the two scanners is indistinguishable.   Microtek 
makes two scanners that cover 8x10 -- the i900 and the 1800tf -- but reliable 
real-world comparisons of the three machines' performance do not exist.   

Beyond those, you are heading into drum scanner territory, and they are very 
big and very expensive.   Since you already use the 3200, you know its 
strengths and weaknesses.   It is a bit soft when compared to a drum scan.   For my 
portraiture, I find it acceptable for the same reason I might reach for a 
portrait lens -- the slight softness flatters my subjects.   If you're shooting 
landscapes, you might want more.   

Sanders McNew
www.mcnew.net


In a message dated 6/30/05 5:58:55 PM, Kip writes:


> 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]