acutance vs. shadow detail for scanning B&W?

PhilBurton

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 20, 2018
Messages
467
Location
Western USA
Format
35mm
In one of the analog-only forums, I posted a question about developing really, really old Plus-X and Tri-X. This chart got my attention: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...-frozen-plus-x-and-tri-x.176021/#post-2292157

Since the other forum is strictly analog, I didn't think it was right to post a question about scanning. But I think this is the right forum. If no one developer is better than all others for both acutance and shadow detail, which factor is more important for scanning purposes. Assume that I will use Adobe Lighthroom (and maybe even Photoshop) to process the resulting TIFFs.

My scanner is a Nikon 5000 ED, with 4.8 dmax.

As always, thanks in advance for all advice. I am very happy to subscribe to this forum to help support it.
 

Alan9940

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,414
Location
Arizona
Format
Multi Format
For me, the same factors that come into play to create a good negative for the darkroom are the same for scanning. I don't develop my film any different; same negative is used for wet prints as well as desktop printing.
 

Les Sarile

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2010
Messages
3,421
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Format
35mm

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,629
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Scanning disrupts acutance anyways, so don't worry so much about that.
And old age adds fog and decreases contrast, so pulling out shadow detail will be a challenge no matter what.
Personally I would recommend X-Tol, but there is a temporary shortage.
 
OP
OP

PhilBurton

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 20, 2018
Messages
467
Location
Western USA
Format
35mm
Thank you all for your helpful comments. Truly.

@MattKing I was leaning towards Xtol and you just added some weight to that idea.

Why would there be an x-tol shortage now? Too many people stuck at home with extra time on their hands? Are there shortages now of other developers or B&W chemistry?
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,629
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
From Kodak Alaris' website:

Update: COVID 19 Chemistry shipment delays; May 14, 2020

We are experiencing shipping delays on the products listed below.
KA operations is working as quickly as possible to resolve this.
Please check back on this page for updates.

1058296 1 Gal Professional DEKTOL Developer
1058304 1 Gal Professional Fixer
1058338 5L Professional XTOL Developer
5054184 2X25L TMAX Developer and Replenisher
 

reddesert

Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2019
Messages
2,378
Location
SAZ
Format
Hybrid
Companies are having difficulty staffing and running their factories safely. This has caused problems for Ilford, for example, and it's presumably affecting the companies that make chemicals for Kodak.

The Legacy EcoPro ascorbic acid film developer is reputedly a lot like Xtol. Freestyle has it in stock; Legacy EcoPro is apparently the outfit once known as Unicolor. I just used it, and I can't give you a direct comparison to Xtol, but it certainly works. You can use the same developing times as recommended for Xtol.
 
OP
OP

PhilBurton

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 20, 2018
Messages
467
Location
Western USA
Format
35mm
Thanks. However, despite Covid, or maybe because of Covid, I have this big "backlog" of projects around the house. I probably won't start any film processing until early to mid-July. I guess I should put myself on the notification list at B&H Photo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…