Digital BW, The Print

Hello Tony,

>trying to figure out the best path to get the best B & W 
>images using digital means.

>Any starting points you (or anyone else) can recommend as I begin 
>this journey would be welcome. The extent of my digital involvement 
>thus far has been with a Nikon 950 and an Epson 1270 printer. But I 
>have a lot of MF&LF negs I'd like to work with going forward.

Choosing a particular technical path is an expensive decision and one
not easily reversed.  You already have a 1270 and a body of work in
your negs.  I know from experience that you will learn an enormous
amount by spending several months scanning and printing those.  That
way you'll make a much more informed final decision.  There are many
pathways and each have their advocates.  It's hard to make a choice
based only on what others say.

I'm getting remarkably good scans of my 6x7 and 4x5 negs on an Epson
1640SU 1600dpi flatbed with tranny adapter (35mm is not acceptable). 
This level of scanner can be had for a relatively modest amount and
will get you started.  If you decide to continue shooting film you can
invest in a film scanner, or if you decide to go to digital capture
then you won't have overspent on the scanner.  

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm