Digital BW, The Print

I used Type 55 for a while, and have seriously considered using it again.
Some factors that have stopped me, so far, include that 55 has become rather
expensive on a per-shot basis (but cheaper than a darkroom or 22 mp large
sensor), it is not that easy to get a perfectly even "pull" when developing
the film, and the film does not lay very flat in those holders.  

Additionally, the flatbed scanners that we usually consider (i.e., the
affordable ones like Epson's) are at best half as "efficient" (sharp) as
good, dedicated film scanners, which are much less efficient than digital
cameras in terms of image quality per pixel.  What all this means is that
for a given sharpness level on the print, the pixel count of a
flatbed-scanned negative has to be many times the size of a good film
scanner file, which, in turn, has to be much larger than a direct digital
camera image.  I, personally, much prefer to deal with smaller (more
"efficient") files.

The alternative of a better 4x5 scanner might get expensive, and I, frankly,
don't know how much more one can pull from a Type 55 over what the best
current Epson flatbed can record.  I have not explored that issue very far.
I would be curious if there is any non-drum option for getting a 4x5 scan
that is as sharp as a 4000 dpi medium format scan from a good film scanner.
I have no doubt that a Type 55 scan on a "good" flatbed will be much less
grainy than a 100 ISO medium format scan, but I'm not sure the sharpness
will be equal.  (I again lament the demise of Tech Pan.)

However, for those without a darkroom (which could be my future in five
years given local real estate prices), it may be the best way to really
beautiful, very large prints.  It's a very intriguing possibility. 

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Martin
> Wesley
> Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 5:28 AM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Re: LF Workshops? was
> 
> The process of shooting, developing and flatbed scanning Polaroid 55 film
> for digital B&W printing was described in depth by George de Wolfe in View
> Camera magazine in 2001(?). The back issues would be worth finding for
> anyone considering this procedure. http://www.viewcamera.com/
> 
> George and others have done some beautiful work with this.
> 
> Martin
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of skipc52
> Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 6:09 PM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Re: LF Workshops? was
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Scott McLoughlin
> <scott@a...> wrote: <snip>
> 
> >I'd likely dev the negs myself, and then scan the negs on a 4990
> flatbed
> > (not too pricey) and digi-print from there.  No room for a wet
> darkroom. Scott
> 
> Try Polaroid Type 55 film on a 4x5 LF. Shoot for either a neg
> orprint-not both-and
> scan on a flatbed scanner for b/w digital printing without a
> darkroom. Groovyborders if you
> so choose...skip
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
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> - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
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> membership without notice.
> - Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
> printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
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> - By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
> guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner
> and Moderators. See Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines in the Files
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> BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
> YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE OWNER AND
> MODERATORS OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO
> YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
> EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
> PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE
> OWNER AND MODERATORS OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN
> ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE
> OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii)
> UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii)
> STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
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> PRINT YAHOO GROUP.
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