Digital BW, The Print

Hi Ernst,

Thank you for your reply.

You are right about the 3000PPI for the A3+ scan. (or the 2000PPI with the proper upsampling and sharpening).

BUT: I want to go for bigger prints in the future, after I learned to print on A3+ in a qualitative way (with custom inksets, ..). I don't know if I will do these prints by myself (I don't think so), but I want to understand the whole process.

In this matter it's good to target to the better solutions, even if they are a bit like overkill now. (A3+ scenario)

Yes, you're right that the V600 would be a better solution then the V500. The price is even almost similar.

I don't think the analogue/digital route is questionable already.
Not for medium formats. A D800 gives you 36MP, an analogue 6x7 has a lot more MP (with a decent scan) > for big prints. And the price of a D800 is still 5 times as high as an analogue MF camera with multiple lenses.

The medium format digital cameras are far to expensive now. 15.000 euro and +, so I think the analogue MF way is still a good option for a few years. Or not?

Ben Albu
Belgium












--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Ernst Dinkla <e.dinkla@...> wrote:
>
> Ben,
> 
> Your print size is A3+, roughly 33x48 cm, lengthwise 45 cm will be 
> usable. My experience says that 450 PPI is the optimal resolution to 
> feed a printer, there is not much to gain beyond that considering inkjet 
> technology as it is today. Often half of that will still be satisfying 
> with the right upsampling tools. Over the length you need 8000 pixels, 
> on the width 5844 pixels. With borders for matte mounting on the print 
> you will need less pixels than that.
> 
> A  6x7 measures 56x72 mm, the 72mm length can vary in practice depending 
> on the camera but I start from the Linhof ideal format. To get 8000 
> pixels over that length you need a scanner that resolves about 3000 PPI. 
> The Epsons in the V class can not do that but will do more than 2000 PPI 
> with proper methods. On the length you will get 5670 pixels, on the 
> width 4410 pixels. The dynamic range is usually sufficient for B&W 
> negatives, it is different for slides.
> 
> Proper upsampling and sharpening tools will help.
> 
> I would say get an Epson, possibly the V600 or a secondhand V700 and 
> build up experience. A good operator is worth a lot, both on an Epson 
> and on a drum scanner. If you can afford and maintain a secondhand drum 
> scanner later on then that is the way to go if you want to stay with 
> film. The Nikon MF scanners are no longer made and cost a lot secondhand 
> and in my personal opinion the Flextights are not better in their 
> performance while they are going at an even higher price new and secondhand.
> 
> With a Nikon D800 camera and more like that to come the hybrid 
> analogue/digital route is questionable anyway.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst Dinkla
> 
> http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
> December 2012: 500+ inkjet media paper white spectral plots.
>