[Leica] Hybrid Imaging & Printing

[images at InfoAve.Net (Tina Manley)]

At 10:54 PM 6/10/2006, you wrote:

>Tina, if they're not trade secrets, would you please detail the
>settings/workflow that you use with your coolscan and also with the Epson
>printer for B/W output?

I don't mind and they're certainly not secrets!  It's pretty 
straightforward except I do scan B&W as RGB negatives.  My negatives 
are all mounted in slide mounts for easier scanning and filing.  I 
batch scan and try to group the negatives with similar density.  I do 
all of the adjustments on the first slide and scan at 16 bits, 
usually Fine (4x) multi-sample.  I recheck the focus manually for the 
center and edges.  I set the histogram as close as possible to what I 
want as the final output.  I don't do any postprocessing unless I 
want to get rid of grain with GEM.  Usually I use Noise Ninja, 
though, to reduce grain. I save the batch scans as Tiffs.  Then I 
open them in PSCS2 and do any final processing that's needed, clean 
up scratches and dust, copy them onto a blank canvas with the margins 
that I want, flatten and save as a Tiff with the same file number but 
Print added to then end of the name.  I also do any sharpening with 
PhotoKit output sharpener and also use PhotoKit to tone, usually I 
use a Brown tone and fade it to just get a slightly warm print.  To 
print, I use my Epson 4800, regular Epson K3 inks, including the PK 
black for the new "gloss" papers and print through ImagePrint's 
RIP.  My screen is color balanced with Spyder and usually matches the 
print perfectly.  With the Epson 4800 and K3 inks there is no 
metamerism at all.  The new inks are a big improvement in that regard.

Something new I've been trying is using a Beseler slide duplicator 
and my Canon 5D to take digital photographs of the B&W negatives.  It 
works and is a fast and easy way to get quick photos up on stock 
agencies.  I haven't tried making prints of those digital files yet, 
but it should be an interesting experiment.

Hope this helps. I'd like to hear what other's are doing as well.

Tina


Tina Manley, ASMP, NPPA
http://www.tinamanley.com