RE: [Leica] 8 bit vs. 16 bit B&W files

["bdcolen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

I don't know, Austin - I work with 8 bit files, I do lots of correction,
and I don't get posterization...

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Austin
Franklin
Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2003 12:43 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: RE: [Leica] 8 bit vs. 16 bit B&W files


Richard,

> Can you obtain good B&W prints working with 8 bit files compared to 16

> bit files?

It depends on what you mean by "working with".  If you do any tonal
corrections (aside from very very very minor ones) with 8 bit data, you
will get posterization.  If you want to work with 8 bit files, get the
tonality correct in the scanner driver (which means it is done using
high bit data). Do you know what is meant by "tonal corrections" as
opposed to changes that do not change the tonal curve?

> If
> I use the Epson 2200 printer, am I limiting the output quality?

That depends on the printer, printer driver, and how you print.  The
human eye can only see, at most, a few hundred graytones in any give
lighting. Some of the quadtone systems (like Piezography) smooth the
tonal transitions so though you can't distinguish the different tones,
the transition is smooth between them.  This is a good thing.

I am not familiar with the 2200.  Does the 2200 use more than one ink
for printing B&W?  If so, you are subject to a dither pattern using only
one ink, which is far inferior to using quadtone inks (four tones).  If
you are dedicating this printer to B&W printing, you might want to
consider getting quad/hex tone inks for it and either using the
piezography driver (if it supports the 2200) or something like Paul
Roark's curves.  If you want more info on any of this, please ask.

Regards,

Austin

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