Digital BW, The Print

Bob:

I tested by doing the following.... 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x passes. I then looked at the scans in 
photoshop at 100% and larger. You can see that each scan got progressively better with 
removing the noise. 16x was better than 8x and so on. The file is huge! I can only go up to 
1800dpi because the file goes over the limit that can be handled. I end up with about 1.35gig 
files using 48bit mode. I use SilverFast Studio withe the Epson 4990. I don't do any tweaking 
other than setting the frame around the image. I leave all the processing to photoshop. Make 
sure you get the right version of the software because lesser priced versions have 16x mode 
but don't use 16 different scans with the noise reduction scheme. I guess the way the noise 
reduction works is by eliminating the "random" pixels... those that show up in different spots 
with each pass. So the software compares each pass to find the consistent pixels and gets rid 
of the rest. Being that noise shows up randomly, this works like a charm.
Also, I tape the neg down with red ruby litho tape emulsion side up. I first do an 8x pass to 
heat the neg then retape flat.

Good Luck!