Re: [Leica] Archival digiital printing

[Alastair Firkin <firkin@ncable.net.au>]

My initial response to this is one I've been "looking" at, but will 
have to have a "life-change" to try: Devere, the enlarger maker has a 
digital enlarger, designed to project digital files in the darkroom 
onto normal paper: the system is set up for colour -- everything is, 
but I do not see why it would not work if projected onto that fibre 
based paper you dream about, and still allow you to do all the washing 
and toning ;-) The  "only" hitch is for me, I don't have a good enough 
film scanner ($8000AUD) and I don't have the Devere Digital enlarger (a 
cool $50-60 thousand AUD ie $25 - $30 k american!!!!)

On Tuesday, Jun 24, 2003, at 10:06 Australia/Melbourne, Jim McIntyre 
wrote:

> I have really enjoyed the banter concerning the archival nature of 
> digital
> photography vs film. I'd like to start a related discussion on digital 
> print
> making.
>
> I have film based cameras (Leica and Nikon) and will most likely stay 
> with
> these systems. Too much $$ to switch. Plus, I like the idea of the
> simplicity and accessibility of storage of film and slides. I also 
> believe
> (rightly or wrongly) that the variety of excellent film currently 
> available
> gives me more flexibility to create the images I want. At least for 
> now.
>
> However, having recently bought a film scanner, I have discovered the 
> joys
> of avoiding the darkroom. I can scan a B&W negative, and in a matter of
> minutes have the cropping, contrast and brightness I want. I can 
> retouch
> those annoying dust specs, save, undo etc to my heart's content without
> hours in the darkroom burning paper, chemistry, and back muscles to 
> get what
> I want. I can create feathered masks for dodging and burning, and I can
> remove the annoying little "artifacts" that detract from the image as a
> whole.
>
> I am no stranger to the digital world, having started my work life as a
> cut-and-paste graphic designer. When PageMaker follow by Quark and
> Illustrator freed me from the Xacto and waxer, I lamented not! But in 
> terms
> of my other passion, making (or attempting to make) that one majestic 
> B&W,
> paper-based Gallery #3 print, processed between Selectol and Selectol 
> Soft
> to get that perfect contrast, washed for an hour to remove fixer, and 
> then
> lovingly toned with selenium to enrich the backs, I am not sure what 
> the
> digital solutions are. I currently work in the commercial print world, 
> where
> the limitations of CMYK and 200 line duotones are the dictators of 
> results,
> not the digital front end.
>
> So, if possible, I would like to hear some discussions/advice on:
>
> a) what solutions there are for archival digital prints, both B&W and 
> colour
> b) opinions on the current technology and the results that are possible
> c) does a skilled eye and excellent darkroom skills still beat the 
> pants of
> digital printing, and
> d) speculation on what's around the corner for this.
>
> I have the camera that can put the best image on 35mm film (IMHO). I 
> can get
> the best scan (if needed). I can have the best monitor, software and 
> skill
> to retouch and prepare the image. Then what?
>
> I realize that the guy/gal behind the camera still has the greatest 
> impact,
> but hey, I'm sure Mozart would be amazed at the tonal range of a brand 
> new
> Steinway Concert Grand if he were ever brought back into the 21st C! 
> And I
> also realize that for some, the print as an object is not the real 
> product,
> and is secondary to the subject matter. Each to his own.
>
>
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>
>
Alastair

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