[pure-silver] Re: Why does B&W Film Scan so poorly

This is somewhat of an issue with me too. There are two issues, as 
described in an earlier post -- grain (the 'x-y axes') and range 
(the 'z axis'). I don't think that there are any magic solutions, 
but here is what helps me...

In terms of the 'grain issue', you've probably experienced the 
apparent "magnification" of grain on scanning the negs versus 
printing them conventionally. I have found that my best results are 
achieved with fine-grained film-developer combinations, avoiding 
'acutance' developers like Rodinal. Probably the best-scanning B&W 
combinations I have happened upon are Delta 100 in HC-110 and Efke 
25 in Diafine. FP4 Plus in Rodinal looks nasty when scanned (to my 
eyes) whereas the same film in more solvent developers (Perceptol, 
Diafine, HC-110) works well. I have seen some really excellent 
results from Fuji Acros in Xtol, though I have never tried it.

For the 'range issue', it's important not to overdevelop as 
scanners have a hard time "reaching in" to dark areas of the 
negative. Aiming for a slightly thinner neg than usual would help. 
When scanning, I make sure the scanning software does not clip the 
dynamic range at all by using the "colour image" mode (e.g. of 
Vuescan) intended for scanning colour slides. I then adjust the 
levels and curves later.

Another solution, as you and others have mentioned, is to use 
colour neg film and desaturate or to use XP2 Super. These films 
minimise the 'grain issue' (by not having real silver grains in the 
final product) and don't block up easily. But you lose the 
convenience of developing B&W at home using simple chemistry.

Hope this helps...

Jordan

Justin F. Knotzke wrote:

>     I love B&W. Really, I do. But I am shooting with it less and less 
> because it scans horribly. It never looks nearly as good as when I scan 
> colour and then desaturate.
> 
>     Why is that? Any websites with tips on how to improve this? I did 
> some searching and only came up with a few replies. At worst, maybe 
> someone would be as so kind as to explain to me what B&W scans worse 
> then colour.


-- 


Jordan Wosnick
jwosnick@xxxxxxxxxxx
=============================================================================================================
To unsubscribe from this list, go to www.freelists.org and logon to your 
account (the same e-mail address and password you set-up when you subscribed,) 
and unsubscribe from there.

Other related posts: