What Resolution?

[greg_koni]

I shoot digital full time now but I have many 35mm prints that I need

to convert to digital. On a HP flatbed what resolution should I scan

at to maintain quality? Thanks!

[Ed_Ingold]

The resolution of prints is approximately 300 dpi, and they should be scanned at that resolution. There is little gain by scanning at higher resolution. If you want to make enlargements beyond the original size (not recommended), you can always resample to maintain 300 dpi in the final print size.

[graham john miles]

I read an article recently that recommended scanning 35mm at 2400 dpi to minimize noise. This will create a huge file (depending on your output size up to 200Mb). The resample/resize back down to 300 dpi. Seems to work well for me.

[arnabdas]

I think you should scan at the maximum optical DPI supported by the scanner regardless of the size you intent for the prints.

[KenPapai]

<i>"I read an article recently that recommended scanning 35mm at 2400 dpi to minimize noise."</i><p>

That is a huge waste of time and resources, and a bad recommendation for someone scanning in prints. I could see maxing out at 720 dpi scans on color prints but going any finer will gain you nothing except a large file headache. (2400 dpi sounds a little low for 35mm film)

[arnabdas]

Ooops.. I missed the part "35mm prints". scan at 300 DPI and then apply NeatImage to remive noise.

[steven_clark]

Here's the figures as I remember them:

 

Max detail from a very good contact print of a very sharp image - 1200 DPI

 

Max detail from a very good enlargement - 600 dpi

 

Limit of detail for an LED print ~ 300 dpi

 

Rough limit of close-view photographic wuality ~ 300 dpi maybe 400 or more for really small prints viewed really close

 

Absolute input image software limit for Epson printers - 720 ppi (only counts as useable resolution if you're printing resolution bar charts or somethig else with 1 to 0 contrast, much, much less practical resolution at photgraphic contrast levels)

 

Absolute software limit for HP - 600 ppi