Scanner Settings - Digital Darkroom Forum

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Q. Scanner Settings

Asked by Larry Powers (K=0) on 12/28/2005

I need to scan some 6x6 negatives to give to a friend who will want to be able to print up to an 8X10. I can scan at 4800, 9600 and 12800 with 48 or 24 bit color. I am using an epson 4490 scanner and in order to save time and space I don't want to scan at a higher resolution then necesary.

Thanks.
Larry Powers

Helen Bach (K=2331) - Comment Date 12/29/2005

Larry,

Even 4800 ppi would be overkill for scanning a 6x6 neg for printing at 8x10.

The greatest file resolution I ever send to a printer is 720 dpi (this isn't the same as the printer setting, which might be higher) but most of the time 360 dpi or 300 dpi is OK, depending on which printer will be used.

If you stick to 720 dpi for the print, then your scan should be 7200 pixels by 7200 pixels, or about 3200 to 3600 ppi. If you aim for around 300 or 360 dpi in the print then 1600 or 1800 ppi is fine for the scan - and that should be well within the true capability of the 4490.

If the scans will not need much adjustment before printing, then scanning at 24 bits per pixel (8 bits per channel per pixel) should be OK. If you are going to do a lot of tonal manipulation it may be worth scanning at 48 bits per pixel (16 bits per channel per pixel) if you have 16-bit-capable software, but there's no advantage in sending a 48 bit-per-pixel file to the printer.

Best,
Helen

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