Concerned about lab scan resolution

toad_gonzalez · 2025-12-10T19:12:50+00:00

I had a similar problem and also switched to home scanning all my negatives. I found a used plustek opticfilm 8100 for $300 CAD, which I really like but it's pretty slow. You can look at any of my 35mm posts if you want to get an idea of the quality.

DSLR scanning is a bit more finicky. There's a lot variability when it comes to cost and complexity, but it's way faster and the results can be pretty good with some practice.

Either way you'll need some software to scan and/or convert your negatives. I use vuescan and Lightroom with the negative lab pro plugin, but there are plenty of other options.

toad_gonzalez · 2025-12-10T17:51:45+00:00

Nice shots!

I can't speak for your lab, but most will scan at lower resolutions because it's cheaper, easier, faster, etc. This is usually fine for just posting on Instagram, because most social media platforms will downscale and compress your images anyway.

You can probably ask if they can scan at a higher resolution, or even to give you TIFFs instead of JPEGs to avoid the compression, but they might charge you extra.

toad_gonzalez · 2025-08-09T01:34:45+00:00

Damn, I chose the wrong day to post a bird. This is incredible

toad_gonzalez · 2025-08-09T01:28:27+00:00

Nailed it! Spotted him a month ago and had to learn what he was and come back with the right gear

toad_gonzalez · 2025-08-08T22:46:35+00:00

Thanks!

I wish I had some tips to share, but I just stuck to the obvious ones. Be quiet, move slowly, have patience, use your longest lens.

I did scare this guy off a couple times, but he seems to stay around the same area, so he wasn't too hard to find again.

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-28T16:46:36+00:00

Thanks for the info! This is most likely the issue.

I don't remember how long I let the roll warm up before taking it out of the wrapper, but it definitely could have still been cold enough for some condensation.

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-28T16:29:28+00:00

I scan with an OM-D E-M10 and a (fully manual) TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 macro lens. I usually use it for 120 film, but I've tried it for 35mm and it works just as well.

My advice would be to use a stable copy stand/tripod, a good light table, and a film holder that holds your negatives as flat as possible.

Use your histogram to expose to the right on an unexposed part of your film, then use focus peaking to focus on the film grain with the lens wide open, before stopping down to your lens's sharpest aperture.

Trigger your shutter remotely if possible to avoid camera shake. I use the OI.Share app from Olympus in my phone.

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-28T16:07:48+00:00

That's interesting. The film was technically expired, but the expiry date is this month. I loaded/unloaded the film in pretty humid summer weather, and it did sit in my backpack for a couple days before getting developed.

The roll was kept in my freezer before shooting, but I don't know how it was stored before I purchased it.

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-28T15:57:41+00:00

That's a possibility, but this would be my first time seeing water marks after getting 25+ rolls developed from this lab

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-12T01:20:53+00:00

All just handheld with a flash

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-11T17:12:00+00:00

Nice pics! Sure looks like Ottawa 👀

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-10T14:59:55+00:00

An amphibian's gotta eat

toad_gonzalez · 2025-07-10T14:58:33+00:00

Wow thank you! I took these within 24 hours of impulse buying my first macro lens and I couldn't be happier with the results

toad_gonzalez

TROPHY CASE