8-bit 1200 dpi vs. 16-bit 2400 dpi Epson 4490

[paulfish4570]

FED-2, I-26, D76:

8-bit grayscale/1200 dpi:

16-bit/2400:
Now I will turn around and run the same three 16/24:

I can see more detail in the windows of the cabin in tree/shade/sunrise shot scanned at 16/2400 ...

 

[Mablo]

Paul, that cabin shot is really nice and moody.

I might be walking on thin ice here but I think one of the main advantages to scan in 16bit, greyscale is that the 16bit tiff file tolerates post processing a bit better before it starts to lose tones (ridges in the histogram).

 

[Ezzie]

There is a difference, but its not monumental. From what I´ve read we can expect real 1300-1800 dpi from our Epson flatbeds, depending on model and age. I scan at 2400 to have the opportunity to drop information, rather than be in doubt if there is more detail to be had. Makes for larger files though, and more spot healing 😉

 

[Pickett Wilson]

16 bit is the way to go. You'll get better tonal gradation and more data to manipulate.

 

[Bob Michaels]

<snip> I might be walking on thin ice here but I think one of the main advantages to scan in 16bit, greyscale is that the 16bit tiff file tolerates post processing a bit better before it starts to lose tones (ridges in the histogram).

I believe this to be an actual fact, no thin ice here.

I see no difference between 8 and 16 bit when there is no or minimal post processing. Let us not forget that almost all printer drivers convert a file to 8 bit before printing.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Actually, recent Epson Pro printers, from the 3800 up, will accept 16 bit data if available, as it is with the latest drivers for Snow Leopard.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Actually, recent Epson Pro printers, from the 3800 up, will accept 16 bit data if available, as it is with the latest drivers for Snow Leopard.

Pickett: you are correct. I did not know that before. I just found out the 2880 latest drivers are also 16 bit.

Technical nitpick: the Epson drivers have always accepted 16 bit data. Previously they converted to 8 bit before sending to the printer.

 

[barnwulf]

I have just been looking at this information as I have read that some of the new Epson printers have a 16 bit output. I am not a technical guy so I can't confirm what is needed to make this work. It seems that Windows 7 is required. Anyone else know any more about this as I am interested in this myself. - jim

 

[Bob Michaels]

It will be interesting to read if there is any discernible difference between a printer actually printing in 16 bit vs. 8 bit. My guess (strictly a guess) is no. But that is only based on the fact that if there was a difference, the high bit functionality would have been implemented many years ago.

 

[venchka]

16 bit. Definitely 16 bit.
8 bit is for JPEGS. We all know what JPEGS are good for, right?

 

[Bob Michaels]

If anyone wants to see how good an 8 bit file will print, post me offline. I will send you a 8 bit TIF file which is a 400 dpi scan of an 8x10 neg of the iconic Walker Evans photo of Floyd Borroughs - cotton sharecropper - Hale County AL. It is a public domain image from the Library of Congress (he was an employee of the Govt, hence public owns rights to images) I downloaded this from Library of Congress before they stopped downloading high resolution files.

This file even has the slight scratch in the negative across his nose as the original does. Make no adjustments at all in the file, just print if you want to see what an 8 bit file can do if you do not adjust it in an image editor.

Now I still use and recommend 16 bit files if you will make adjustments in a photo editor. But if you cannot get a perfect (I mean perfect) print from this 8 bit file, you have a printer problem.

 

[sper]

Why not have the headroom? Memory is only getting cheaper and more vast.