Use enough pixels for the intended print, crop and archive while recognising that empty resolution does not create new film detail.
35mm, 120 and large-format negatives contain different enlargement potential, and focus, grain and lens quality affect usable detail.
What changes
Higher resolution increases file size, upload time and visible grain.
When it helps
Large scans are useful for printing, cropping and preservation; smaller files are efficient for previews and social media.
Important limits
- Pixel count is not optical quality
- Bad focus remains bad at higher resolution
- Compression affects files
- Sharpening depends on output
- Archive masters need storage planning
Frequently asked questions
Can this rescue every photograph?
No. It can only work with information recorded by the film or retained in the developed negative.
Should I tell the laboratory in advance?
Tell the lab the largest expected output and whether you need JPEG or TIFF.
Where can I learn more?
Use our scanning guide.
0 commenti