B&W film profiles - Microtek i800

[BrianShaw]

I just started experimenting with scanning of 4x5 negatives using a Microtek i800. After several ill-fated attempts (it really helps to have all the settings correct before attempting to scan) I succeeded.

A question, however... the software that came with the scanner seems to only have profiles for color film. Isn't it useful to the scanner/software to have a profile for the B&W film being scanned? I am scanning Bergger 200 to 16-bit Greyscale at 600 dpi, if that matters.

 

[kaiyen]

I doubt you will _ever_ find a profile for Bergger 200 for your scanner. What you should do is figure out a way to get as much data out of your film as possible. Find out if Vuescan supports your scanner. I highly recommend it.

allan

 

[BrianShaw]

Thanks Allan, I'll check out Vuescan. Right now I'm using the s/w that came with the scanner. It's a lot more difficult to figure out (and maybe less capable) than the software with my last scanner -- a uMax Powerlook II, I think. It's been a long time since I've had either a scanner, or an interest in scanning.

I know the film profiles are a important for color since the film base color needs to be carrect for. I suppose the difference in B&W film base can be more easily corrected. Maybe that's why there are no B&W profiles?

Re: Bergger 200... the film is okay, but nobody seems to know much about it. The lab that I send B&W to does a good job with it but the counter clerk always looks at it funny, asks "what is this", and writes "BRF200?" on the work order. Once he eevn asked me if I was sure it was B&W. Maybe it's the odd black wrapper; maybe I ought to be using something they recognize better... like HP5?

 

[kaiyen]

Film profiles aren't that important with b&w, no. What is important is getting everything out of the negative you can with a curve that doesn't mess with your midtones too much (though you can correct the latter somewhat in PS).

BRF200 isn't used that often - I was a bit surprised. APUG would know all about the film, but that won't help you if you're not developing it yourself.

HP5 and Tri-X will be granier and, I think, have a rather different tonal scale than the Bergger. If I remember correctly, the Bergger is known for its very creamy look. Small toe and shoulder.

For something similar but not quite the same, consider tmax or delta 100. Same curve characteristics, but obvilusly a different look as they are not traditional emulsions.

allan

 

[BrianShaw]

... but that won't help you if you're not developing it yourself.

And now you know... I have one unfulfilled New Year resolution -- to start developing my own B&W. The year is half over... I'd better get cracking!

 

[Oliver]

I love Vuescan too. I used to use it all the time. The past few days I was using Nikon's software and it kept messing up the red channel (I do know what I'm doing, even tried factory reset to rule out user error). I just got the latest Vuescan installed and got a perfect painless scan a few moments later.

I still have the control in Vuescan, but I don't need to use it just to get a bareable scan.