Digital BW, The Print

Oh, that's bollocks!  While working for one the major historical societies and working along a top notch photo conservator, I have scanned some VERY old negatives and copied glass plates using a high quality process camera.

In my professional opinion (and experience) one heck of a lot more issues go into the quality of posters and billboards than just the scan or the original file.  Depending upon use, there is a point of diminishing returns.

I am a STRONG proponent of "good enough" is NOT good enough.  But, scaring that lady into possibly paying more--or do more--to get a high quality product is a bit over the edge, isn't it?

I see this as a place we should get the required end before advising the means.

Seth

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Bill Morse wrote:

As others have said, drum scanning is absolutely the best way to go; any of
the flatbed and Imacon scanners will have significantly more noise, flare,
and will be less sharp across the film plane than a good drum scan. On the
other hand, as some have suggested, if the posters are to be of lower
quality, viewed from medium distance (3 feet or more), you will get adequate
results from any of the suggested scanners. It really depends on the end-use
of the prints.