Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/16

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Scanning slides
From: "Michael Chmilar" <chmilar@mminternet.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 00:24:48 -0000

khmiska <khmiska@umich.edu> said:

> I scanned the 'chromes in at 400 dpi and
> printed them at 400 dpi as 8 x 10s. What a disappointment.
> 
> Question - should I scan at still higher resolution? If so, what res?
> 
> Should I print at a higher res? If so what?

You should calculate backwards from your print to your scan.

So, if you want to print 8x10 of a full 35mm frame at 400dpi:

  8in at 400dpi is 3200 pixels.

  The "short side" of a 35mm frame is approx 1in.

  To get 3200 pixels out of 1in of film, you scan at 3200dpi.

It will not cause any harm to scan at a higher resolution, but
scanning at lower resolution will not give you the best possible
result for your print.

As to what res to print at, it is best to print at the highest
resolution your printer offers. Beware of inkjet printers that
claim to have 1440 or 2880 "dots per inch", though. In reality,
it takes many of these "dots" to print one "pixel". The real
resolution of these printers is really more like 360ppi (pixels
per inch).

later,
Mike

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