I'm trying to scan the horizon (excuse the pun) for good software/scanner
combinations. We currently use a Microtek 300Z for our B/W photos, and
scan with their desk accessory. It seems, however, that all the photos
come off our imagesetter too dark, and with little contrast in the high
ends. We calibrate our imager regularly, and have seen very different
results from other scanner/software combos. Our goal, of course, is to
scan something in and get results off the imager that closely resembles the
photograph without major retouching…
Miles,
Don't use the DA to scan with! Scan out of Digital Darkroom, using the
Microtek "Pouch" to drive it. Then adjust your brightness and contrast
right on the screen and "flash" the picture by modifying the graymap to
drop off the top and bottom 10% of the map. Remap to image, and you'll
have a beautiful digital halftone, pre-set to compensate for linotronic dot
gain.
(There's another message from me here on the board somewhere detailing
this a bit more lucidly…)
–Thom