Let me apologize if the following question does not quite fit the scope of this group. However, I am stuck and need some help.

As many of you know, it is hard to get good, sharp, full tonal range, cold-toned 35mm copy slides of B&W prints. In my experience, color transparency film is often used and it usually needs to filtered to get the right "color," and if the color is right the contrast is wrong.

I do have a series of my images that have been scanned, saved on my hard drive and they look GREAT on my 17" screen. If they are a little off I can tweak them easily.

QUESTION: Is there a way to project my scanned images onto a screen for a slide-show-like presentation instead of using 35mm transparencies? I seem to remember being at a conference and the speaker had projected color text and simple graphics from a program on his computer. Can the same be done with B&W fine art? Are the projectors that do this any good? If so, at what price and quality?

Thank you you in advance for your help.

Stephen Serio

-- Stephen Serio (ms1serio@enteract.com), March 18, 1998

Answers

You could use a Barco or similar projector. I'm not sure of the cost, but you can contact any computer reseller that sells to business (i.e. not CompUSA)and inquire. If you want more information, point your browser to http://www.macsoftware.apple.com/ and search on the keyword "projection."

-- Darron Spohn (sspohn@concentric.net), March 19, 1998.

Another non-computer possibility is to use Agfa's new B&W slide film called Scala. Agfa just had a photo contest with this film, and the winners are on the PDN web page ( http://www.pdn-pix.com/scala ).

There is also info in the Agfa web page: http://www.agfaphoto.com/products/scala200.html

You could put your prints on a copy stand and shoot them with Scala. Depending on the quality of the lighting, original print, camera used, etc., you might get good slides. And, of course, you could just shoot with Scala to begin with. If you're shooting with a medium format with interchangable film backs, it might be nice to have one back loaded with b&w print, and another with b&w slide. You could shoot the same shot with both -- basically make copies of the real subject while on location.

I've never used Scala, so I can't vouch for it's quality. I also think it has a unique process, so you may need to ship your film to a lab rather than doing it yourself.

Joel Collins jwc3@mindspring.com http://www.mindspring.com/~jwc3

-- Joel Collins (jwc3@mindspring.com), April 07, 1998.