[Leica] Leica] Curious about enlargements made by LUG forum members

[pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein)]

Scott:  I get my pictures developed at a local camera store that is 
somewhat between a pro lab and your typical minilab.  They do a good job, 
and unlike Costco, they don't scratch the negatives (much, anyway).  They 
also do "real" B&W in Xtol and print them (without color cast!) on the 
color print machine.   It's about 15 bucks per roll, including a set of 4x6 
prints and a CD with scans suitable for Web display.

I get:

1.  A set of 4x6 prints so my wife can look at them whenever she wants, and 
I don't have to scan the ones that have sentimental value but are not up to 
my artistic standards (assuming I actually have any).  I also can use the 
prints as proofs.

2.  An easy way to share some shots on the web with family, friends and 
photo groups without having to scan them.

3.  The ability to scan only the images I want to print, or that are too 
contrasty or difficult lighting for the camera shop's scanning and printing.

I scan at 4000 dpi on a Canon FS-4000US.  The smallest size I print myself 
is 5x7.  I've always liked this size.  As our resident sage Mark Rabiner 
puts it, 5x7 is both big enough and small enough at the same time.  Many of 
my available light people pictures end up 5x7.  I find it economical to cut 
up sheets of 11x14 Epson Matte Heavyweight into four 5x7 sheets 
each.  That's going to be replaced by Epson Enhanced Matte when I run out 
of the latter.  I haven't yet been seduced by Hannemawhatchamacallit Photo 
Rag, though that might happen eventually.

For B&W, I use an Epson 1280 with MIS Ultratone 2 Hextone inks.  For color, 
I have an Epson R200 that cried out unto me from the on-sale rack at CompUSA.

I also print letter size (8.5x11) for landscapes that warrant it, and for 
B&W's of sufficient quality.  I only occasionally print 11x14, and only in 
B&W.  I've also used a lab for 11x14 B&W's of ISO 1600 film, because the 
grain aliasing of my scanner makes what I can do digitally at that size 
slightly less satisfactory than a really good wet process darkroom 
can.  When I want larger than letter size in color, I take it to a 
lab--probably because my color printer only goes up to letter size.

I used to do wet darkroom, but I don't have time or space now.  Someday I 
might process my own B&W film again.  I do prefer the computer to the wet 
darkroom.  Yes, a silver print is beautiful, but I can do better prints 
overall on the computer.

Slides, I get developed at a pro lab near where I work.

--Peter

Scott asked:
 > What typical enlargements do folks *typically* make from their 135
 > format negatives exposed with their Leica gear.
 > I guess I'm also curious about lab wet printing vs. home/darkroom
 > self wet printing vs. scan + digital printing.