| One of the questions that I am quite often asked is the | | | | Most 35mm film negatives are capable of being |
| following: | | | | scanned at up to 4000 dpi. This is especially true for |
| Which is better to scan, film negatives or prints? | | | | the slower speed films (100, 200). When scanning |
| It is always best to scan the original negatives, | | | | negatives the general rule of thumb is the higher the |
| provided that they are in good shape and the colors | | | | resolution, the greater the detail. |
| have not faded. The reasons for this are explained | | | | For example, a negative scanned at a lower resolution |
| below. | | | | of 2000 dpi may not be able to clearly display the time |
| To begin with, you have to realize that a photograph is | | | | on a clock in the background or the fine print on a |
| merely a copy of the original, processed negative. In | | | | paper or sign when the photograph is blown up. By |
| most cases, a copy is never as good as the original. | | | | simply rescanning the same image at 4000 dpi you are |
| Typically, photographs are printed out at 240-300 dpi | | | | providing 4x the resolution of the original scan. This |
| when done at your local photo lab. That means that a | | | | type of resolution can display these details much more |
| 4x6 print is, at most, 1200x1800 dpi. This is why prints | | | | easily and clearly, especially when a larger print is be |
| are typically scanned at 300 dpi as scanning at a | | | | made. |
| higher resolution does not bring out any further detail | | | | Another reason for choosing to scan the film |
| other than what is on the original print. The only time | | | | negatives instead of the photographic print is that the |
| that scanning a photograph at 600 dpi, or greater, | | | | original film contains much more contrast and detail as |
| would be if the original was either very small or if it is | | | | compared to a photographic print. This is because |
| going to be edited at a later date. | | | | prints tend to fade over time due to exposure to |
| The size of a typical 35mm negative is 24mm x | | | | sunlight, etc. Negatives, if they have been stored in a |
| 36mm or, roughly, 1.0in x 1.5in. This means that the film | | | | dry place, are much more immune to this behavior. |
| was essentially scanned at 1200 dpi in order to | | | | Please feel free to contact me if you have any |
| produce the 4x6 print in the above example. | | | | questions or comments. |