Digital BW, The Print

on 2/1/02 12:29 PM, mkravit wrote:

> Todd,
> 
> I think that negative film is in fact has more grain than
> transparency film. Especially in the high speed range films. I
> scanned some Portra 400 color negative film and it is grainy. I scan
> Tri-X B/W negative film and it is grainy. Obviously T-Max 100 is very
> fine grain.
> 
> Fuji Velvia has almost no grain at all from my scanning experience.

I think you and Harvey may be right about that, but what I find interesting
is how much more the digital processes exacerbates the difference relative
to conventional methods. IOW, take out a camera with interchangeable backs,
like a Hassleblad. One back with ASA 100 neg, the other with ASA 100
transparency. Shoot the same image on each film. Make a 24x24" C-print of
the neg and R-print (or ciba) of the chrome. The C-print from the neg
probably won't look much grainer than the R-print from the chrome. Scan the
two on a drum and output to an Epson and the two will look miles apart.

I haven't conducted such a test, so may be I'm wrong, but that's my sense.

Todd