Originally Posted by
sanking
It was never suggested that I get a Dmax of 1.8 from Pt/Pd. About the most I can get with single coating and one pass is 1.6, and that is with the best of conditions. But, I believe that is about the most the process allows with one pass, and that was my point about the use of curves. The curve allows you to get the maximum possible Dmax out of any process, be it Pt/Pd, kallitype or carbon, while still keeping a fun range of tones. That is true with in-camera negatives and digital negatives, but with digital negatives you have the capability to adjust the curve at both ends to optimize potential.
I think of maximum Dmax in terms of what the process gives with one printing, not in terms of multiple passes. And to get maximum Dmax, you have to know how to optimize the process itself. In other words, you may have the best digital negative in the world but if you don't know how to optimize results with paper, sensitizer mix, coating, humidity, etc. it will not be possible to get the most from the process.
Sandy King
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