How do you tell...

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Napierkowski
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David Napierkowski

Hi folks. I won't complement anyone here as I have been chastised for taking up
unnecessary bandwith thanking folks for their input to my questions. But that
being said, how does one really evaluate the quality of the scans one make
from their scanner unless it's from a print from a really good printer?

I mean from my understanding (which is limited and not technical) there is no
way you can really tell the quality of the scan from the image that appears on
the monitor only from what is outputted to the paper. Yes? No? Explain
please as appropriate.

You will have to excuse me here please because I am speaking only as a B & W
wet darkroom printer who prints rather decent 35 mm B & W prints at 11 x 14
inches and 16 x 20 with 2 1/4 sq and 6 x 7 cm negatives.

All of this is rationalizing I suppose why I should get that Epson 2200 now
rather than waiting for the Epson 4000 which is what I rally need for my
purposes.

david N.
 
Hi folks. I won't complement anyone here as I have been chastised for taking up
unnecessary bandwith thanking folks for their input to my questions. But that
being said, how does one really evaluate the quality of the scans one make
from their scanner unless it's from a print from a really good printer?

I mean from my understanding (which is limited and not technical) there is no
way you can really tell the quality of the scan from the image that appears on
the monitor only from what is outputted to the paper. Yes? No? Explain
please as appropriate.

You will have to excuse me here please because I am speaking only as a B & W
wet darkroom printer who prints rather decent 35 mm B & W prints at 11 x 14
inches and 16 x 20 with 2 1/4 sq and 6 x 7 cm negatives.

All of this is rationalizing I suppose why I should get that Epson 2200 now
rather than waiting for the Epson 4000 which is what I rally need for my
purposes.
Click to expand...


After a while you learn what to expect and what is
possible for a given film format. The film formats
and print sizes you mention above are eminently
reasonable and achievable with "digital darkroom."

I'm not sure which areas of "quality" you are refering to
above -- tonal issues, color accuracy, resolution, or
sharpness... you need to be clearer.

Eventually if you haven't already, you should learn
about and maybe begin using color management,
which will help you deal with some of the issues above.

As to the scanner, have a look at

http://www.terrapinphoto.com/jmdavis

where you will see a number of sample scans from
a number of excellent scanners (some are even
affordable.) From this you may be able to gauge
whether your own scans are up to par.


rafe b.
http://www.terrapinphoto.com
 
I mean from my understanding (which is limited and not technical) there is no
way you can really tell the quality of the scan from the image that appears
on
the monitor only from what is outputted to the paper. Yes? No? Explain
please as appropriate.
Click to expand...

David,

Many folks may have differing opinions on your question. I don't think there's
a single "right" answer. But, FWIW, here's mine.

On the technical side, there are calibration programs and profiles available
which will allow your monitor to show you what you will get when you print out
the image. I won't go into detail about cost, options or variables of
monitors, printers, inks and papers.

My real point is that the digital process for making prints is somewhat
analogous to your darkroom work. For instance, wouldn't you agree that your
traditional final prints are (usually) not EXACTLY what you captured on film?

I mean, don't you make judgments and adjustments with the type of film
developer, times, agitation, choice of contrast grades and paper texture to get
the final image you want? I might take the exact same roll of undeveloped film
and come out with prints quite different than yours.

Which of us produced the "real" print?

My suggestion is not worry excessively about which printer will give you a
"true" version of your picture. You can calibrate between monitor, printer and
paper if you wish. Or, with experience, you can make adjustments by eye
because you know your equipment . . . and you know how you like your prints to
come out.

I wrote all this and still haven't tried to address what you (or others) might
mean by "tell the quality" of the scans. Tone? Dynamic range"? Resolution?
Saturation? You get the idea.
Work with whatever equipment you have or buy. You'll become accomplished in
assessing from your monitor whether you got a "quality" scan (however you may
wish to define it).

Hope this helps.

John Moore
 
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