Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: Questions about what resolutions to scan pics/film for printing?

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

Giving Thanks to All.
A little thanksgiving humor.

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Questions about what resolutions to scan pics/film for printing?

RustyB
Veteran

Jun 29, 2006, 10:15 PM

Post #1 of 4 (471 views)
Shortcut

Questions about what resolutions to scan pics/film for printing?	Can't Post

I was uploading some pics I scanned to SmugMug, but scanned them at too high a resolution, and exceeded their file size limit of 8mb. I had scanned them at 600ppi, and had to go back and down-rez them to 300ppi.

What if you want to enlarge the print? Wouldn't you want to scan at way better than 300dpi, or is that plenty?

Do you ever have problems with file sizes when uploading hundreds of huge digital wedding photos online for the customer to order prints?

I think I still have a lot to learn when it comes to dpi, ppi, print sizes, etc. I know what it all means, but sometimes it's hard to figure what works best.

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jun 29, 2006, 11:47 PM

Post #2 of 4 (468 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] Questions about what resolutions to scan pics/film for printing? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I seem to do all my work at 300ppi now. PS seems to be able to cope with that setting for all sorts of scaling jobs. I also read recently that you do get a sharper picture online saving at 300ppi than the monitor resolution of 72 or 96 ppi. The standard file size out of my d50 is 6mb for the preview jpegs and I just upload them.

RustyB
Veteran

Jun 30, 2006, 12:50 AM

Post #3 of 4 (465 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Colvin ADTR] Questions about what resolutions to scan pics/film for printing? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....6mb for the preview jpegs and I just upload them.

Preview jpegs? Are these the same actual files that the customer gets their prints from, or just proofs, from which they choose the ones they want, and order the actual prints from you?

I don't think the full resolution .jpg's out of my 8mp DSLR are only about 5mb (3264x2448 at 314ppi), so hopefully selling them online won't be a problem with SmugMug's 8mb file size limit.

I guess for scanning prints and filmstrips, I'll just scan them at very high ppi settings, then resample them to 300ppi for best results before uploading/printing online.

Thanks!

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jun 30, 2006, 1:16 AM

Post #4 of 4 (463 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] Questions about what resolutions to scan pics/film for printing? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Now I've woken up a bit more, I realise I made a mistake. I take all my shots in camera RAW (NEF format) but the d50 makes a jpg preview file too so you can chimp. I normally put these 1/2mb jpg files up as proofs then put the finished RAW files up later as full res jpgs. These work out as about 6mbs for a 300ppi file that will print at 10"x8". The biggest size I offer onlne is 30"x20" which is upto 24mb file size. I don't think there is a file limit on Photobox UK or Kodak UK, who I use, just a storage limit. I capture from the cards at 300ppi and do all my work at this res and always resize to 300ppi while changing dimensions. I don't scan much but my very old scanner only does 300 ppi anyway Blush

. PSCS2 seems a lot better at resizing nowadays and I have been able to take a poxy 72 ppi image upto 30"x20" without losing much detail.