Black and white from EOS 400D

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01steven

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I'm looking at producing quality black and white images from my Canon EOS 400D.

In particular I'd be keen to hear:

1) thoughts on best method of converting to black and white (assuming the in-camera option is a no-go)

2) tips/advice/resources regarding different b/w styles. I'd like to develop a better understanding of b/w styles- I know there are lots of variety of b/w print films - what is the difference between Ilford and TMax for example, and how best to replicate them.

3) if it's worth using filters when taking an image, or is it best to leave all this to post-processing
 
I don't know much about B & W conversions but when I do have a fiddle I use This free plug-in . It gives you lots of preset conversions that you can tweak to your own settings if required
 
Hi steven

No doubt someone better qualified will be along to help soon

As for question 1 I would suggest shoot in Raw in the camera that way you are free to muck about afterwards in the PC

Not that i really now what i am talking about:lol:
 
I'd shoot in colour and convert on the PC. I normally use a gradient map and then add adjustment layers to alter contrast and such but there are different methods which people use.

You could use the RAW & JPG mode, and in camera b/w - I think that way you get a colour photo for editing and a JPG version for immediate review - I'd need to check this...
 
^^^^^as above, convert afterwards, photoshopcs3 has a easy conversion which is generally agreed to be a good way to do it. i can look tonight when i'm back at home if you've got cs3.
 
I have a 400D and always shoot RAW. If you switch on the mono style, deep in the menu system, it shows you on the screen what something will look like in mono, but actually records it in colour. You then have to convert on the PC. I always use the channel mixer adjustment layer, playing around with the sliders till I like what I see. Past advice has been "make sure amounts add up to 100%" but a lot of the magazines now say to ignore that, and just go with what looks right.

What I would add is that although you might get it to look wonderful on screen, what it looks like in print is another matter, if your printer is not a newish one. Lots of older inkjet printers give a coulour cast. Some of the more modern, high priced printers deal with mono much better, having three shades of black ink.

I understand that there are some good plug-ins around, but have not tried any of them
 
i shoot in raw & convert to black & white by desaturate using Hue/saturation just pull colour out. i also use plug-in mentioned. photoshop & lightroom have good b&w conversions just google wow presets for lightroom also free
 
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