Good points, Bob. I didn't want to delve into the transparencies/opacity arena, because I still wasn't sure if I was covering the original question about BW images scanned with a tint. I'm glad you at least touched on it, because it sort of simplifies how colors are converted to different levels/shades of gray based on the sensing of colors and their corresponding lightness or darkness (opacity/transparency).
From a scanning standpoint, depending on your model of scanner and its hardware/software quality, most have auto calibration, some calibrate before scanning. I recall in the college lab, having to insert the rgb and grey calibration sheets manually, what a chore that was (alignment had to be perfect). So more good points about the lamp and tricky negative color enhancing/possible color blindness relationship. There's a whole "down the rabit hole" scenario on the human eyes and what we actually see. This means all humans, not just ones with color blindness.
Sofasurfer, per your post:
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I know what it is but I do not know if a rgb scan has a particular color or look or if it is just an arbitrary thing.
This depends on the scanner. Not all scanners are treated equal. It could be either. But like Bob added, if the lamp is going bad or our eyesight isn't up to snuff, it's anyone's guess. It can't be arbitrary if you can make adjustments before or after the scan (within the scanner software). Or at least, that's how I perceive it.
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If I make a print using the rgn scan is there a name for it based on its color appearance or is it just called a "b&w print with a tint"?
Other than the modes or options the scanner comes with, the only naming convention I am aware of would be those offered by the scanner software. Now, I am guessing (or better said: "I have a hunch") you mean like something similar to a Sepia edit or scan. Then I would have to say no, because in actuality you're just scanning a B/W photo with RGB mode and not converting it to greyscale. The plus side to this, like Bob mentions above, is that it allows you to have a RGB mode B/W image to edit, right off the bat. You can still scan in greyscale mode and convert the image to RGB or RGBA once you open it in GIMP, or other editing software.
As for printing and associating it with a scan mode, it's just a B/W image scanned in color (RGB). Unless you have one of those professional media scanner/copiers with CMYK, then you have it made. I used to run a Xerox color scanner/copier for making brochures and media presentation booklets on a contract job, and the owner told me it cost 5k a month just to rent the machine. Wow!
I hope this helps.
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