Digital BW, The Print

Tom,

 

Film can handle a far higher subject brightness range (SBR) than digital -
so B&W film if there's any chance that you want to capture the very high SBR
you'll no doubt encounter on your trips; otherwise you'll get blocked up
shadows and/or burnt out highlights with digital.

 

I mainly use Tmax100 and can easily get on film an SBR of 15 stops (or more)
- and my scanner (Epson V700) can handle all of the resulting density range
in the negatives.  Try that with a digital camera.  To accommodate that SBR
with a digital camera you'd have to resort to multiple exposures and then
use image blending techniques such as HDR to stand any chance of producing a
full range B&W print.  But if your subjects are limited in SBR then digital
capture is ideal.  I use 5x4, but the same principles apply to both 35mm &
medium format.

 

Steve Gledhill

www.virtuallygrey.co.uk

 

 

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of TFielder
Sent: 08 June 2008 14:14
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] choices

 

I'm heading out to Utah this weekend and to the Sierra's next month. 
I understand that film scans may likely result in better data files
for printing. I have a Canon 20D; Nikon 35 mm film and a medium
format film camera. My question is, should I shoot the 35 mm and get
high resolution scans or shoot with the median format? After
scanning, will the medium format platform out-perform the data I can
get from the 35 mm sufficient to offset the additional effort? My
second question pertains to choice of film. Should I shoot with
Velvia, Tri-X or maybe just color film and convert to B & W in
Photoshop? Finally, does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable
film-scanning service?

Thanks to all. I appreciate your thoughts.

Tom 



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