Digital BW, The Print

Austin-
This is partially a response and a question:
Are you saying that all scanners average the three channels? I agree 
that many do (especially film scanners), but my understanding is 
that most reflective scanners use a single channel.

Irregardless of the answer to that one... once you take an average 
of channels from the device, you have given up data and accepted the 
manufacturers estimation of what a good B&W reproduction is.

cr

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Austin Franklin" 
<darkroom@i...> wrote:
> 
> > WHY: The majority of digital cameras, reflective scanners and 
some
> > film scanners, scan in only one color to obtain a digitized black
> > and white image from the original color photo.
> 
> I do not believe that is true.  They actually use a percentage of 
each of
> the three colors, and yes, green is typically the highest of the 
mix.  It
> would be nice if the scanner interfaces did allow you to select 
you own
> "mix".
> 
> I do agree that it's better to capture in color (for scanners that 
do not
> have a REAL B&W mode, like the Leafscanner ;-) and convert in
> PS...but...some scanners have done a great job at determining 
what "mix"
> works best for their particular scanner...so my advice for 
scanners, is to
> try it and see which works for you.
> 
> Austin