Digital BW, The Print

Paul and others, greetings.

With all the discussion about 100 films for scanning to reduce grain, I'm 
wondering about your views on the chromogenic films, like Portra 400BW, as a film 
for scanning without grain.   Until recently, I've resisted it.   But it's so 
easy to have developed commercially that I've shot a number of rolls over the 
past month in my Rolleiflex, and had the one-hour Kodak shop on my block 
process it.   I've been pleasantly surprised by the results -- striking contrast 
and detail, no visible grain, and no reciprocity failure issues.   And very 
easy to scan as well.   Am I missing something?   Why should I not like this 
film?

Sanders McNew.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sanders,

I agree with Alessandro's comments: "the main reason I shoot chromogenic
films is that they have the finest grain for 400ASA ...."  I use them a lot,
but only when I need the speed (or, occasionally, when I want a quick
turn-around from my local c-41 lab).

The 100 ISO films, in my experience, are noticeably sharper and in the
shadow areas have much finer grain.  Where the chromogenic films are more
heavily exposed the overlapping dye clouds hide the grain very well.

So, bottom line, I consider the 400 ISO chromogenic films to be excellent
compromise films, but just OK for 16 x 20" enlargements from a medium format
camera for landscapes (given my preferences for high sharpness and low grain
in display prints).  On occasions where I need to hand hold quick shots
(including good ones), T400CN goes into my Fuji 645 Zi.  Numerically, these
are probably a majority of what I do, but they are a small minority of the
shots that get enlarged beyond 5x7.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com
_______________________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: sandersm@... [mailto:sandersm@...]
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 6:05 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Portra 400BW for scanning?


Paul and others, greetings.

With all the discussion about 100 films for scanning to reduce grain, I'm
wondering about your views on the chromogenic films, like Portra 400BW, as a
film
for scanning without grain.   Until recently, I've resisted it.   But it's
so
easy to have developed commercially that I've shot a number of rolls over
the
past month in my Rolleiflex, and had the one-hour Kodak shop on my block
process it.   I've been pleasantly surprised by the results -- striking
contrast
and detail, no visible grain, and no reciprocity failure issues.   And very
easy to scan as well.   Am I missing something?   Why should I not like this
film?

Sanders McNew.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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Sanders writes:

> With all the discussion about 100 films for scanning
> to reduce grain, I'm wondering about your views on the
> chromogenic films, like Portra 400BW, as a film
> for scanning without grain.

My experiences with Portra 400BW and scanning thus far have been highly
positive.  Grain is almost non-existent, and the exposure range of the film
is tremendous.  It also provides high speed _and_ high resolution (and low
grain).  I especially like it for contrasty night shots because it holds
highlights and shadows well.

> I've been pleasantly surprised by the results -- striking
> contrast and detail, no visible grain, and no reciprocity
> failure issues.   And very easy to scan as well.   Am I
> missing something?   Why should I not like this
> film?

Nope, you're not missing anything.  I've had the same results, and I like
the film.  I still shoot conventional B&W in many situations, but Portra
400BW has a significantly place in my refrigerator.

Yes, I will second all positive comments about PortraBW.  It gives an
excellent scan.

Rick

On Tuesday, August 19, 2003, at 01:07  PM, Rick Schiller wrote:

> Yes, I will second all positive comments about PortraBW.  It gives an
> excellent scan.
>
> Rick

Here is a link to a PortraBW image scanned on a Nikon LS4000 with 
Vuescan, processed in PS using "Save for the Web".

see "Friend No. 1" a:  t 
http://homepage.mac.com/dmdorn_ct_usa/PhotoAlbum3.html

After you open the image in the slide show frame if you click on the 
image it will open in a new browser window at a larger size than the 
Mac frame allows.

Regards,

David