Best workflow for film B@W negative and digital lab

[nugat]

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My last favorite B&W lab closing, I decided to switch to digilab (scanning/inkjet).

I just got a Nikon 5000 scanner, which was not easy, apparently they are closing the production and there is a wait list for last supplies.

I started with several recent B@W negs from my MP (Tri-X, t-max, Adox) that I already had enlarged in the wet lab to 30x40 cm. The prints were really good.

When I got to scanning I discovered the scans are full of dust and scratches that did not show up in the wet process. I quickly learned that these defects are removed easily in ICE for COLOR films but not B&W silver halide! (ICE does not work on silver halide).

Is there any workflow making the digilab easier short of manual benedictine defects removal? I really would like to continue working with my MP and B&W film, but the defects show up just unacceptable in the Coolscan LED light.

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[tgray]

The short answer: no. The healing brush is helpful. The biggest piece of advice is to be careful in your processing. Make sure you get spotless negs, dust them off with a fine brush if you see dust before you scan. I'd also scan shortly after processing. Process, dry, flatten the negs out, and scan. No use in letting them collect scratches over a period of months before you scan.

 

I find B&W way easier to scan than anything else. I personally like Vuescan for B&W with a Coolscan, since it lets me obtain low contrast scans really easily.

[Rolo]

Nugat,

 

If you want to quadruple the retouching work just let your fixer solution go past its use-by date. It makes scanning much more of a challenge.

 

Rolo