scanning resolutions for pictures?

[dakata24]

is there a given resolution to scan 8x10, 5x7, 4x6 pictures for optimal quality for printing out copies?

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

yes, as high as optically possible.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n
yes, as high as optically possible.

Yes. Remember, Photographs don't have a 'resolution,' or, if you want to be digital they have a virtually 'infinite' resolution. So scan as high as you can, or as high as satisfies you.

 

[eviltoon]

I kind of thought 300dpi was the magic setting. 72 being adequate for web and 300 for print. I can't recall why though. Anyway, an 8x10 image with an 800 or 1200 resolution would be one monster file size.

 

[pulse8]

Even if you do end up having a 300dpi, I find it's better to scan at 1200 or higher and then resize it to 300.

The picture always seems to come out much more crisp.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: pulse8
Even if you do end up having a 300dpi, I find it's better to scan at 1200 or higher and then resize it to 300.

The picture always seems to come out much more crisp.

Do you have a $99 (or cheaper) scanner?

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: Tyler

Originally posted by: pulse8
Even if you do end up having a 300dpi, I find it's better to scan at 1200 or higher and then resize it to 300.

The picture always seems to come out much more crisp.

Do you have a $99 (or cheaper) scanner?

I don't remember how much it costs.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

I just bought a photo printer.. and i scanned some of my wedding pics i was too cheap to have enlarged.. I scan them in at a resolution of 800 and then print them out and they come out perfect.

Edit: this is an 8x10 print

 

[dakata24]

thanks for the tips. ill scan and then downsize.

does it make a difference whether it's a cheapo scanner or not? i have a visioneer one touch 8100 scanner that i got a few yrs back. most likely through hot deals. checked out a top 10 review from pc world and this scanner was #7.

this scanner does:

600 x 1200 dpi optical resolution
1200 dpi hardware supersampling
2400 dpi max interpolated resolution

is any one of them more preferable. i've had this thing for awhile, but just use it to scan my rebate documents and bills for records.

 

[kami]

Photographs don't have a 'resolution,'

Sure they do....35mm film could probably resolve around 10-15 megapixels. Very high res, but it's not infinite.

 

[isaacmacdonald]

Bah to "infinite resolution", or even 15MP.

Even the highest quality 35mm ekt you can get your hands on today will yield *crap* @ 15mp resolution. It will be grainy and ugly (when viewed @ 100% screen resolution). If you're scanning from a 4x6 print, it gets far worse. When you're scanning for large format prints from 4x6 chemical prints, you would typically max out at maybe 400dpi. After that, you'll get much better results using edge detection software (like Genuine Fractals) to increase the resolution, rather than trying to get more data by scanning in at high resolutions (2400dpi or something crazy).

But this is only for industrial stuff. For home use, going no larger than say 11x14, scanning from a 4x6 @ 300-400 dpi should be fine. Naturally, it won't be as good as scanning a negative, or better yet a chrome, but it should be acceptable. Note that of course file resolution shouldn't be equal to printer resolution. IE: there's no need to resample your 8x10 to 1440dpi, just because that's what you're printing at. On any modern inkjet printer, there's a practical sharpness limit where you won't be able to percieve anymore than 200dpi.