Using scanners to proof BW negs

Makten said:

Why not just close every thread containing pictures? I mean, how could you possibly show images on a screen without using a scanner? This "rule" is so silly that it makes me want to leave the forum before I've even got to know it very well.

How does it hurt to talk about scanners? All of you are sitting infront of computers, which are not in any way compatible with analog photography. How about writing letters instead?

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.
Hang Tough Makten.

When I first joined I was also extremely offended by the mention of anything
relating to the Digital Process. After a few months here I realized that we
wouldn't be able to have a Gallery without the use of a Scanner.
But it's always exciting to see who will be the first to lose their senses
when Scanning or something slightly related to the Digital Process is mentioned.

It does get a bit tedious after a while, being told that something is Off Topic.
And if I had any interest in visiting DPUG, I would certainly find my own way there.

Welcome To APUG !

And please, don't take it personally ...

Ron
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Makten said:

Why not just close every thread containing pictures? I mean, how could you possibly show images on a screen without using a scanner? This "rule" is so silly that it makes me want to leave the forum before I've even got to know it very well.

How does it hurt to talk about scanners? All of you are sitting infront of computers, which are not in any way compatible with analog photography. How about writing letters instead?

Click to expand...

It's important that APUG stay on topic, and as this thread has remained courteous, and about using a scanner as a darkroom aid, it seems perfectly appropriate for the site. I scan my negs to have a look at them before printing, it's helpful, but there's nothing silly about where we draw the line in the sand... there are plenty of places to discuss digital imaging ad nauseum, so threads like this bear watching so we don't move into territory that is off topic.

I believe that for those of us without a permanent darkroom a flatbed scanner is a quick and easy way to inspect our negatives. Tearing my entire bathroom apart for making a few contact sheets is just too much of a hassle.

The vast majority of times I check my negs with a loupe on a light box. Since I have been doing this for a while now, I have no problem interpreting a negative image.

But sometimes it just helps to see positive and then I'll toss in on the scanner.

I'm primarily examining the content of the negative, not really the technical aspects.

Print paper and scanners interpret negs very differently, but I think of the scanner as something like a densitometer. I can peek in to the various ranges of the negative and get an idea of what is going on in there.

Again, I don't have a permanent darkroom and it's a lot more convenient to do that, than set the enlarger etc. after work. I prefer contact sheets that I can file with the neg sheet and will run one when I print a neg off that roll.

M.A.Longmore said:

.
Hang Tough Makten.

When I first joined I was also extremely offended by the mention of anything
relating to the Digital Process. After a few months here I realized that we
wouldn't be able to have a Gallery without the use of a Scanner.
But it's always exciting to see who will be the first to lose their senses
when Scanning or something slightly related to the Digital Process is mentioned.

It does get a bit tedious after a while, being told that something is Off Topic.
And if I had any interest in visiting DPUG, I would certainly find my own way there.

Welcome To APUG !

And please, don't take it personally ...

Ron
.

Click to expand...

For me it's the opposite. I have no interest in making prints, so then my process is always "off topic". My interest in film doesn't get lesser just because I scan my negs and I'd really want to be able to discuss that with others on the same forum as I can discuss the film, cameras, developing and everything else.

I mean, I didn't open this very thread because i DON'T want to read about scanners, right? Probably non of you did.

I think I'm leaving very soon if this sort of "mind control" is going on. I didn't realize that when I registered.

You are really not understanding the very purpose of this site.... This is a site for film users who loves the process that is entirely optical. From making to printing. If you have no interest in making prints optically, you are simply at a wrong place. We are not trying to control you.

I hate people who loves film to leave this site on angry tone but I don't think you'll benefit by continuing to post here in the way you've been posting.

I do anything from digital to analog. I shoot both. I also do hybrid printing. I just don't talk about the other side of my interest here. There are many others who do the same. There's a lot to gain from folks on this site if you do choose to stay.

Can we please get back to discussing photography rather than talking about talking about photography? (not a typo)

tkamiya said:

You are really not understanding the very purpose of this site.... This is a site for film users who loves the process that is entirely optical. From making to printing.

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Well, then everyone that posts images here should leave, I suppose. They are scanned and not "real" anymore.

But you're right, this is obviously not the place for me. Snobbery is the worst thing I know. I thought it was supposed to be a nice place for anyone using and processing film, but unfortunately I was wrong. This is for purists, or "real" photographers. I'm not one of those since I use the "wrong" medium, just as all of you that post your images on the internet.

Good bye and have "fun"! And yes, a moderator can erease my account if you want to.

It really IS a nice place. If you want to stay and talk about processing your film part of it, there is a great amount of knowledge that's freely shared. I'm very sorry you feel the way you do. Have a nice day.

"Don't ask, don't tell" seems an appropriate strategy, Makten. Someday, I suppose, things will loosen up here--especially if/when DPUG proves to be a bust--but please stick around. There's much to learn here but it's not the only place for info/advice, especially as regards hybrid workflow.

Hey, Makten, don't blow this site off, you'll only be depriving yourself of learning experience! I know exactly what you mean about mind-control and about the sense of snobbery you detect. I don't think it's snobbery: these folks are just trying to protect the site from being overwhelmed by thousands of digital threads and losing the cool analog pool.

We all know that hybrid work flow is the only thing that is keeping film alive, the pure analog folks just aren't numerous enough. Some of us think this attitude of "watch that thread it looks like it's veering into no-no territory" is childish and a little fascist. But who cares really, as long as we're learning as much as possible and supporting film. It's also good to support printing chemistry and papers in addition to film and that is part of what drives the thought police.

The great thing about this site is you can make comments like this, call them the "thought police" and go on your merrry way as long as you keep your good humor. Which, of course, means they aren't actually fascist or thought police, just folks trying to protect a site from the digital tidal wave. Understandable.

Stay with it, will ya?

The thread seems to no longer be about proofing negs, but rather a tired old hashing of things long since settled. That's pretty much enough.