Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/02/11

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Subject: Re: [Leica] 8 bit vs. 16 bit B&W files
From: Rob Heyman <rheyman@bigpond.net.au>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 21:04:51 +1000
References: <00a201c2d06b$f70197b0$0316fea9@ccasony01>

B.D.
I use 16 bit to darken the corners of many of my images. In 8 bit I will get
quite severe banding in smooth toned areas such as sky. When I use 16 bit
this does not happen, but it does slow down the work.
Regards,
Rob

bdcolen wrote:

> 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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- --
__________________________________
Rob Heyman M.Photog
32 Binyara Street
CHAPEL HILL   Qld   4069
Ph   07 3878 3884  fax 07 3378 6639
__________________________________


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In reply to: Message from "bdcolen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net> (RE: [Leica] 8 bit vs. 16 bit B&W files)