Scanning
High-Resolution Scanning Services
We use only high-resolution specialized film and photo scanners with a proven record of quality. Hasselblad Flextight X5 is the drum scanner we use for most negatives and transparencies. We use the Epson XL1000 (flatbed photo and film scanner) for photographs and for negatives made of glass or metal. Prices vary by type and size of film/photo and optical resolution. Our quality standards may require multiple scans of the same film frame. No matter how many times we re-do a scan of a particular frame of film or photograph, there will be no additional scanning charge. The price is set for the frame (size of film) and optical resolution.
No Additional Fees for:
Dust & scratch removal
Tonal adjustments
Cropping out slide mount and film borders
Including only select frames in a film strip
For color negatives and transparencies, we adjust scanner settings to remove most minor dust and scratch spots and reduce the visibility of mold spots. Included in the price of all our scans are film-specific adjustments to settings for dust & scratch removal, grain reduction, tone, color and cropping out slide mount and film borders.
Free Post-Scan Retouching with Photoshop 5.1: Scanner adjustments will not remove dust & scratch marks on B&W negatives. For color film, the overall color and tonal adjustments that we use may not be sufficient. For these reasons, we provide 5 minutes of post-scan retouching FREE on all scans. Some photographers prefer to do their own post-scan retouching. For these customers, only minor post-scan changes are done (straighten scan, crop out any black border that was not removed in the scan itself.
For customers who want some retouching, we will make color and tonal adjustments as well as the removal of dirt and scratches, as needed. The results of post-scan adjustments can be seen by comparing the scan result to the final image. After the first five minutes, we charge $60 per hour for this service, billed at ¼ hour intervals.
- With each order, we provide you a photo catalogue in a screen-viewable and print-ready form (PDF) on disc. Master sets of all images are in TIF format.
- All masters are published/recorded with archive gold CD/DVDs on a RIMAGE® publishing machine (with high accuracy and detection of any disc defects and recording errors).
- We charge a flat fee for discs & packaging. For each set of images on separate discs and cases, we charge a one-time publishing set-up fee of $15.00. This includes the design & title printed on each disc, photo cover for DVD cases and discs, and the archive gold CD/DVDs. For five or fewer images, we provide an archival quality CD in a transparent case (fee is $5.00).
Scanning Options
For each film frame, we provide digital images in the TIFF format. Upon request, we will provide an additional set of images in JPG format. We can provide you TIF images @ scan resolution or in print-ready format (300 dpi). The latter is the preferred by most institutions for archival purposes.
Other options include HD video for TV display as a slide show, and thumbnail prints of images (9-16 per page) in PDF format (by email) or print (proof sheets). For collections of photos, we provide a photo album on disc in PDF format.
For images from photographic prints, the sharpness of the scanned image is determined by the quality of the original print. For that reason, we do not recommend scanning prints at high resolutions. In certain cases, some of the detail from old, small B&W photos can be restored if scanned at a higher resolution (3200 ppi). Since digital retouching is reductive, we have more pixels to throw away in our post-scan retouching. All photographs will be resized to 600 ppi (or 300 ppi, as requested by the customer).
For customers who want to preserve their 35mm slides and negatives at high quality, we recommend 4000 ppi for standard size film formats. At this resolution, you can print enlargements up to 18” x 12” at 300 dpi, a standard print quality. For 35mm film, 4000 ppi is an industry standard for archive-quality digital images.
Depending on their condition, older slides (1950s-1960s) will need more extensive post-scan retouching and tonal adjustments (20% to 50%) to remove mold and other age-related damage and color cast problems. If requested by customer, we will scan color negatives and transparencies in 16 bit RGB mode.
For B&W negatives, we always scan using 16 bit grayscale.
Depending on the size of the film, negatives and transparencies will be scanned at appropriate resolutions. For medium size sheet film (6.0 x 4.5 mm to 6.0 x 9.0 mm) and for large format film (4” x 5”), scans at 2400 ppi should be sufficient for high quality, large size prints (up to 32” x 40” at 300 dpi).
For 35mm negatives and slides, the maximum resolution is 8000 ppi. All photographs and antique negatives (metal and glass) are scanned on our flatbed scanner, the Epson XL1000.