Digital BW, The Print

I would add a couple of things to Matt's recommendation of using a copy
stand to shoot slides of prints:  It's certainly possible to get good color
slides of b&w prints using color slide film.  You may have to do a little
testing to find out how to get the color neutral; depending on the paper and
inks used, you may need to use slight color correction via Wratten filters.

It's important to find a lab that has very consistent E6 processing, since
you don¹t want the color inconsistencies from roll to roll that come from
careless processing.  I use the Fuji 64-speed tungsten balanced film RTP or
Ektachrome EPY with 3200K lamps.

You'll also want to use a macro lens instead of just a normal lens if you
can, since they are better corrected for close focus.  Also, with most
prints -even ones on matte papers - there can be a lot of glare on the
surface when you put them in the kind of light that copy stand work
requires.  I use a polarizing filter on the lights and on the lens for most
of the copy work that I do; it lets you eliminate the glare and get a much
less washed-out slide. There is some price to pay in terms of a deepening of
the darkest tones, but it's usually worth it.


Stephen Petegorsky