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ah ha I see where you are. I use Gimp/SANE in linux to scan my negs all the time just to get "previews" of the scene on the 4X5 film. Unless I change The gamma or anything else the scanner does not "auto" adjust the scanning parameters unless I ask it to. And infact if I scan two negs (my epson perfection 4870 photo scanner comes with a 4X5 neg carrier that holds 2 negs) simultaneously I can quickly see and compare any differences between their densities and contrast. I can calibrate the scanner to my "best" 7 SBR perfeecly processed neg and call that scan parameter the standard scanning parameter. Then I use that parameter when I scan subsequent negs. Doing this allows me some information of how the negative will print and even what type of printing manipulations I might choose to explore. Of course the handy built in software densitometr is also quite useful once the standard negative scan parameters are established. I like that I can digitally manipulate negative (mostly the contrast) to get a good Idea where I might go with my traditonal darkroom printing. Its sort of how some people use the proper proof technique ala the zone system. I for one don't see myself switching to digital printing for at least 3 years. I love the lonely peaceful respite of the darkroom at alas the time for it is way too short.
Miles
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