hmm... I also have been somewhat dissapointed about what pshop lets me do in 16 bit mode. I'd at least think it would allow some selections and masks... Techno Babes? I guess this is what I'd do: First, in the camera, (or in my case the scanner), use the histogram function to adjust the exposure so nothing, (well, almost nothing), piles up at either end. This isn't always practical, but for those tripod mounted re-takes it may be worth the time. If anything is ever bunched up at the ends it is lost forever. Transfer the raw files to photoshop. Then do any contrast, levels, curves, color adjustments in 16 bit mode. [Each operation adds in a little "noise", and by staying in 16 bit mode less is added.] Then change to 8 bit mode for your other stuff, like sharpening. You likely archive this as a lossless tiff. If at some later time you need to adjust contrast, levels, curves, color, you may get slightly better results by first copying your archive and converting to 16 bit. Practically, I'd be surprised it would make noticable difference. But I guess I should run some experiments to check.