Okay Darryl...

[Darris Chambless]

Hello Darryl,

I was talking to a gentleman and an optical problem came about in said conversation. I would like to get your take on this if you would be so kind:

"I work in the Photo Finishing business, we sell and do installs of various digital imaging equipment. Everyone always wants to have a scanner that will make the mythical optical density of 4.0. Well this is like killing flys with sledgehammers. Most modern CCD scanners will make an optical density of 3.0 quite easily , but to get that last 1.0 is nearly impossible ( unless you start the other end of the range at above 0.0) we use this in densitometery also where as no film or 100 percent of light transmission is 0.0 and use a plaque that is virtually bulet proof in density to calibrate the other end."

Are you familiar with this and how would one go about getting that last 1.0? I got faith in you dude :)

[Darryl Meister]

Hi Darris,

Well, unfortunately, I doubt that I could come up with anything that the experienced photonic engineers at the various scanner companies haven't already considered, tested, and patented. Especially since I'm not the familiar with their optical requirements. However, we could certainly discuss the topic a bit. Could you first clarify what you mean by optical density in this context? In ophthalmics, optical density is generally related to the common log of the reciprocal of lens transmittance.

Best regards,
Darryl

[Darris Chambless]

Hey Darryl,

Thanks for responding. I'll have to find out the particulars of what this gentleman was referring to because I too am not that familiar with the equipment he's using. As soon as I know I'll let you know.

Take it easy,

Darris C.