Digital BW, The Print

It depends on what you consider "best". If the options available when
converting to B&W fom a color source are most important, than that
might be called best. But as someone who scans a variety of film,
color and B&W, positive and neg, on a variety of scanners, now a drum,
I can say that my definition of B&W quality from film is higher from
B&W film than color. Resolution, grian, scanner performance, etc. are
all higher from more or less same ISO films.

If one opens the discussion up to capture, it changes entirely.

If the topic changes to how to best achieve the highest personal
artistic B&W results, no question a disciplined focused approach,
committing to an image while shooting and selecting the materials
suited to that helps me do my best work, but that is personal.

If I was on assignment, or shooting for others for whatever reason,
I'd leave options open for them later, but then I probably wouldn't be
shooting film anyway, so RGB is a given.

If, for you, conversion options are more important than the finickiest
adherence to photographic image structure is best, then I understand.
But for negs, my experience is that scans from B&W film are of higher
photographic quality then color.
Bruce shoots and drum scans both as well, so may have additional input.

Hope that is clearer.
Tyler
http://www.custom-digital.com/


 --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "btvarner"
<bthomasv@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Tyler,
> Changing subject somewhat here but I wanted to respond to your last 
> email.  Not wanting to pick a nit but I believe that opinions are 
> changing as to whether the highest quality B&W print has to originate 
> from B&W film?
> 
> I have concluded (as I believe others have also) that the additional 
> data in color captures (digital or transparency) lend themselves to 
> the possibility of better B&W prints then do B&W film?
> 
> I realize that this may be speculation on my part, but it sure 
> appears that way to me.
> 
> Nothing wrong with B&W film.  I captured that way for many years.  
> Just that now I believe that the Photoshop capabilities available to 
> images that start out life as color can provide many more available 
> expressions then straight B&W from the outset.
> 
> Just my opinion.  Don't want new users to be left with the opinion 
> that you have to start out with B&W film to have a great B&W print.  
> Thanks!
> 
> Bruce
> http://BruceVarner.com
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tyler Boley" 
> <tyler@> wrote:
> >
> > Well this is the B&W  list, and your stated desire was the highest
> > quality, so one assumes you're shooting B&W film. As Bruce suggests,
> > for that level of quality larger file sizes are just an accepted 
> >fact of life...........
>