Scanner gradation and D-log E curves

[Alan Johnson]

(1) As far as I know there are no published on the net D-log E curves for silver gelatin printing papers or curves for inkjet papers relative to the scanner gradation curve.


(2) Some scanner software has a setting called "Gradation" [eg, Silverfast 8.8]
Is it known if this is similar to a D-log E curve for the negative ?

I ask because if I get a nice straight line for Gradation with the scanner set to auto does this mean there is a good chance the negative would also print well on silver gelatin paper? It does appear because of (1) above a precise answer is not possible but there may be some practical experience.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Think I found an answer on p112 of a Silverfast manual:
"The auto-adjust is a convenient tool for achieving a quick image optimisation. This function investigates the end points of the image data; i.e. it looks for the brightest and darkest points of the image in the current frame and sets highlight and shadow points respectively. Also the distribution in the half- and three-quarter tone is checked and depending on this distribution a gradation curve (linear or logarithmic) is generated for correction"

Conclusion- if a straight line gradation curve is obtained then the half and three quarter tone of the negative would have been on a straight line too.
So it should print OK on silver gelatin paper of appropriate grade.