Interesting BW conversion technique

Here's a go in Channel Mixer, with a bit of use of burning and dodging. The sky has been processed separately, but the low resolution file has meant some artifacts have started to show.
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/041-Lillys-Photo.jpg[/IMG]
I wondered if you thought there was an advantage to a ready made program as opposed to just using the features available in Photoshop, as here?

This may be a shot that's best left in colour, although the B/W versions are interesting. I honestly couldn't decide between A, B or C. Possibly some combination of A and C would work best. It's hard to say on an LCD monitor. Send me a three-foot-wide version of all of them on canvas and I'll let you know. I'll send the other two back, honest.

Al

Well, I personnally do. Though this is not a good exmaple for SFX. I am loving SFX and if you are into nostagic 35mm film effects, mono and a bit arty farty like me you will love it too.
There is a demo you can download for free from the website.

I didn't like your conversion very much, John, even allowing for the artifacts. I thought it looked very infra-red and unnatural. But, as we all know this is so very subjective.
Lilly

Thanks for all the comments on the technique.
Lilly, hope you dont mind but here is a version of your coastal walk done using CS4, NIK Silver Efex Pro and Paint with light action to improve the darks/highlights.
In Silver Efex pro I chose Orange filter high contrast option

Does anyone use Photoshop's Calculations function to convert to B&W? I've used this method for a few years and had good results (to my eyes at least).

Opinions anyone?

Calculations is an excellent way to convert. There's more than one way for sure!

Thank you John - at least I'm doing something right