Re: [PRODIG] Drum scan comparison - now scanning Kodachromes

[Bob Smith]

I have a feeling that much of your positive experiences with the Polaroid scanner can be chalked up to the fact that YOU are in control versus drum scans done by a third party. I'd often rather use capable but possibly inferior equipment that I control versus better equipment that someone else drives. Too much of this process is sooooo subjective. If you use a third party for scanning (or any other part of a digital process), excellent communication between the two of you is of paramount importance. They need to understand exactly what you want and how you intend to use or modify the images. In your earlier posts you cite drum scans that have less shadow detail. I'd be willing to bet that they have less detail not because the scanner couldn't pull it out, but because a judgment was made to sacrifice shadow detail for more contrast in the main subject area. When YOU control the scan you may make a different judgment that better suits YOUR idea of what the image should look like.

About five years ago, while working with much less capable equipment than now, I knew the end of my wet darkroom was near. On numerous occasions I ran a test where I produced the best 8x10 traditional color print from a neg that I could. I'd then take the same neg, scan and output to an Epson EX. When comparing visual quality of the prints, not once did someone select the darkroom produced print as superior. The finesse over local tone control and sharpness that a digital workflow provides can't be matched in a darkroom. I'm not surprised that you prefer the look of your Epson prints over the Cibas.

Bob Smith


On Wednesday, November 27, 2002, at 06:20 AM, Geoff Dor� wrote:

after a little tweaking (and bearing in mind still quite new to this,
see my other posts!) am impressed with the A3 prints done on the Epson
1290 and which are coming out better than Cibas (same image, same size)
especially in terms of sharpness (or 'apparent sharpness' for the
pedantic) and retention of highlight/control of contras

===============================================================
GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE