Digital BW, The Print

Robert,

> ... Im a somewhat informed novice, who is embarking on a digital
> capture photography project which will culminate with what 
> I need  to have be a state of the art
> artistic and archival digital out put...up to circa 30 x 40 " 

Well, an expensive scan back might be called for to get to that size.  I'm
waiting for an affordable 32 MP for my 22 x 28 B&Ws.

Scanning a good large format negative would be a lot cheaper.  Tech Pan in
medium format can also go to 30 x 40.

> ... digital dark room needs.

Dual core chips, multiple gigabytes of memory, and, of course, Photoshop are
required.

> ... printer out put ...

An Epson 9800 or 9600 with a rip or dedicated B&W pigment inkset would do.


> ... Recommended articles or web site suggestions ...

Read this forum.  It's the best source for B&W digital printing.

I suggest you buy a cheap little R220 and start to learn the field on a
smaller scale to start with.  Going straight to the top might be an
expensive exercise in frustration.  See my notes on the R220 at
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/R220_R2_Readme.htm  

You can judge, for example, how many PMs you'll need in the camera by
printing just a small segment of the large image on an 8x10.  Rent the best
medium format digital cameras or the top Canon and see if you're happy with
B&W enlarged that much before spending the big bucks.

Good luck.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com