Using a lab for scanning?

[gopropak]

hey all,

Just getting back into film after many years away. I'd like to add a couple of film "premium" products from each of my shoots. For the moment I do not have the time or space for a darkroom and havent developed film since the 80's. So, I am relying on my lab to devlop and scan my images - they no longer do optical printing from the negs, just digital. They scan with a Durst Sigma and can get 60-70MB files from my 6x6 B&W negs. They print on photographic paper and develop the print in traditional chemicals.

My question is - will I notice a difference between a digital and the film/hybrid print? More importantly, will the client notice a difference. I am concerned about the digital step negating the whole advantage of film which I believe is it's tonal range. The lab seemed to think that there would be some loss compared to a "direct from the neg" print.

I am excited to add a classic B&W film product to my line-up but am concerned that the client won't see or feel the difference. My clients are high end with avg. sales of $2000 and they do come to me for a more artistic twist to my wedding & portraits.

Your thoughts?

Scott
www.scotthaynephotography.com

 

[Carl1]

Scott,

The Durst Sigma is a CCD based scanner and so it has all the drawbacks of such technology. It scans a 6x7 neg in 15 seconds producing a ~80mb file. That should tell you something about the quality.

Your question is complex as there are so many variables between analog and digital capture and output. The short answer is yes you will see a difference in output quality when you compare CCD scan vs a drum depending on the film and the enlargement size desired. The greater the tonal range and resolution on the film the greater the difference. The scanners ability to capture a true neutral gray scale for B&W will also be obvious in an enlargement. Regardless what ever you decide be sure they have the capability to capture and output in 16bpp. This also makes a difference when retouching and image that requires level etc type adjustments. If you want to see some examples of analog capture and drum scanning go to:

www.mondragonfineart.com

Carl