RE: filmscanners: Nikon Scan & VS Negative dynamic range

["Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-filmscanners@halftone.co.uk
> [mailto:owner-filmscanners@halftone.co.uk]On Behalf Of Mike Duncan
> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 11:20 PM
> To: filmscanners@halftone.co.uk
> Subject: RE: filmscanners: Nikon Scan & VS Negative dynamic range
>
>
> >> Comparing NS3.1 with the Kodak print of the Max400 Stouffer dupe,
> >> NS3.1 has
> >> more dynamic range by at least two stops.  The print compresses the
> >> brightest 2 stops and the darkest step is compressed.
> >>
> >> Mike Duncan
> >
> >What does the scanning software have to do with the dynamic range of the
> >scanner?  Are you letting the software set your setpoints?
>
> The software maps the input range into the 8-bit video.
> Different settings
> in VS give different OD ranges.  Nikon negative setting is mapped
> to give a
> higher contrast than VS normal negative setting.  Of course you can adjust
> this with brightness and curve adjustment.  NS3.0 has a different mapping
> for Positives than NS3.1, the latter giving wider OD range.
>
> Mike Duncan

Mapping the input data into 8 bit values has nothing to do with the dynamic
range of the A/D data.  That 8 bit data can represent any dynamic range at
all.  In fact, three bits can represent any dynamic range at all.  It is the
resolution within that dynamic range that the 8 bits gives you.

Curves are different than setpoints.  If you are seeing reduced dynamic
range, the setpoints are not being set correctly, or are being set
differently.  If the software allows you to set the setpoints manually, you
will be able to get the exact same dynamic range from any software.