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Thread: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

  1. #1
    John Olsen
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    Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    While admiring some really sharp images in the LF Forum (not those with obvious PS over-sharpening) I've wondered how digital film scans and enlarger prints compare for sharpness. I've been pleased enough with my enlarger prints, but in a comparison today I note that the digital scan sees a lot more detail. Is this comparison typical or is my enlarger lens (Schneider 150mm Componon-S) operating below par? Opinions please.



    These are cropped from the central focal area of the 4x5 image, about 3 cm on the film.
    Last edited by John Olsen; 11-Feb-2016 at 14:27. Reason: more info

  2. #2
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    Did you use a glass carrier in the enlarger? What aperture did you use?
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
    ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know

  3. #3
    John Olsen
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    I use a Beseler Negaflat older, no glass but nice and flat, at f32.

  4. #4
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    You struck out before you ever got to first base. If prints are what you have in mind, compare prints to prints, not web simulations. You've only got about a hundred flexible variables between Point A and B, all of which could hypothetically drive the quality either up or down in either case. This reminds me of MBA's
    and their Powerpoint presentations - you can prove ANYTHING just by how the data is preferentially selected.

  5. #5
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    F/32 is a problem. You'll be well into diffraction at the aperture. 2 stops down from max aperture is usually optimal, or near so. With the best lenses, you should stop down even less.
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
    ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know

  6. #6
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    Missed your intermediate post, sorry. But it reinforces what I already know from the first post.

  7. #7
    bob carnie's Avatar
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    IMHO there is no way whatsoever that the enlarger print then scanned on a flat bed Epson will come even close to a direct scan off a Imocan.

    You are comparing single generation to two generation steps and your results are predictable.

    This is somewhat like comparing a enlarged interneg cprint to contact interneg cprint.

  8. #8
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    Not just the f/32 - red flags all over the place, starting with Nega-non-flat an flatbed scan. Probably the paper wasn't flat in the easel either, maybe all kinds of issues which affected the results. Paper scans different than film anyway, and ultimately can't hold as much resolution unless it's completely smooth polyester
    medium. Here we go again........................................

  9. #9

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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    Quote Originally Posted by John Olsen View Post
    I use a Beseler Negaflat older, no glass but nice and flat, at f32.
    To get optimal quality from any enlarger lens there are some very simple requirements:
    1 a glass carrier. A Negaflat was fine for printing wet negs for papers. Not for exhibition quality work.
    2 a properly aligned enlarger. Best is a Zigaline or similar.
    3 printing at optimal aperture and that will be two to three stops down from wide open.
    4 printing within the optimized magnification range of your lens
    5 properly exposed and focused and developed film
    6 proper exposure and development of the print.

    You have ignored several of these steps and the print quality is not indicative of what is possible from your negative.

  10. #10
    John Olsen
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    Re: Digital versus Enlarger print sharpness opinions

    Quote Originally Posted by Drew Wiley View Post
    Not just the f/32 - red flags all over the place, starting with Nega-non-flat an flatbed scan. Probably the paper wasn't flat in the easel either, maybe all kinds of issues which affected the results. Paper scans different than film anyway, and ultimately can't hold as much resolution unless it's completely smooth polyester
    medium. Here we go again........................................
    Yes, I know there's a difference between film scan and enlarger. I'm not expecting to get the film scan result through the enlarger. I'm just showing that so you can guess whether my enlarger result is close to what would be expected based on a good piece of film. Thanks.

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