Digital BW, The Print

> I do not doubt the 17 stops. 
> I do believe the results would not be linear.


That's a big reason I take multiple shots with roll film (or digital).  
Even though my film and scanning can get some information from, for 
example, extreme highlights, the image information is usually 
significantly better from the portions of the curve that better 
separation and lower noise.

(Is there a digital equivalent to the 1 - 2% pre-flashing of slide film 
we used to occasionally do to increase the deep shadow sensitity?)

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com