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I recently scanned slides into my computer using an HP S20 scanner at 1200 dpi but the resulting digitized images were not as sharp when viewed through a projector as the original slide using a slide projector. Someone said I should hav e used at least 3200 dpi. Is there a tradeoff when digitizing slides or is there a way to digitize them and have them look as good as the original.
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Re: scanner resolution
I'm not exactly a expert on scanning but I have done it with my Epson Perfection 3170 to good effect.Originally posted by dkandcar View Post
If you are scanning to print, yes use 3200 providing its the optical resolution and not interpolated. I don't know anything about the scanner you are using. Manufacturers claim al sorts of fantastic figures but they are very often not what you want. I take it you are scanning 35mm slides, 3200 is probably minimum.
For projection I scan 1024x768, this is the recommended resolution for most projectors, although there are some higher resolution models out there.
After scanning in auto mode try adjusting with the scanning software provided, contrast, saturation, and white balance and so forth, also sharpening. Its is possible to almost match the original even improving the results on occasions. Its a case of experiment.
With sharpening I found it best to do it when scanning, again experiment with how much sharpening you use, to much it shows. I have noticed with scanning if the original looks sharp but is that bit soft scanning will amplify it, however a bitingly sharp original can be scanned equally sharp.
I recently scanned the slide entries for the club annual exhibition to present them in one show from CD with the digital images, other than the occasional dust spot (I didn't have time or patience to clone out the dust ,it was the authors responsibility to ensure clean slides) they were indistinguishable from the digital.
One or two projected better than the original slide, and all sharp provided the original was sharp.
Scanning is not simply pressing the button its about finding out best settings for the film, transparency, and your setup.
Ideally scanner ,monitor and output (printer or projector) should be profiled to match but that doesn't come cheap so we have to manage with what we have, however if you haven't already done it get your monitor profiled everything you do hinges round the monitor.
Patrick -
Re: scanner resolution
Thank you Patrick. I suspected there was a lot more to scanning than what I was doing. I will do some comparison of the specs on my scanner with the one that you used. Yes, I was scanning 35 mm slides. I'm not sure what you mean about the monitor profile. I use a laptop for all my stuff.
A side note. I see your answer came to my old Email address. I had recently updated my profile on dpnow so I hope it's been changed.
Thanks again, DickComment
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Re: scanner resolution
Hi againOriginally posted by dkandcar View Post
Your laptop has a screen, well that's your monitor
Profiling is to have the screens colours measured and reset to specified values.
When we first get into this hobby of ours we quite reasonably think manufacturers set everything correctly, well monitor and laptop screens vary immensely, even within the same brand.
Profiling corrects this, so in theory we all see the colours to the same value.
Both my laptop and my 19" monitor are calibrated and I see the same values on both, also when I print they both give me prints that when compared match each other.
I have profiles for all my favourite papers as well.
PatrickComment
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