Film scans resolution

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Cuchulainn

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Brian
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Hi all,

I've just had an infuriating run-in. I won't name the supplier just yet. I'd like some feedback first.

I've had some 120 film developed and scanned. The price list for the company states:
Scan to CD Approx Jpeg size
Scan 4.5Mb

What resolution (not DPI, just pixel count) would people expect from this? And what JPEG filesize?
 
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I hope the 4.5mb is for one shot ?! :D
I'm used to getting 1mb and 2000x2000 , good enough for web. anything less than that and more than 5 quid for dev+cd is a robbery.
 
I got 1300x1024 approx scans with jpeg file sizes ranging from 400kbb to 1000k (though mostly in the 700-800kb range)

When I phoned to query it I was told that the 4.5Mb was the total file size (i.e. the memory footprint of the image in photoshop) and that I "clearly don't understand compression". I pointed out that this is not what the webpage states and that they clearly state jpg filesize which, for a 4.5Mb file I'd have expected to be 2-3 times the pixel count in each dimension of the image. I'm more than a little peed off with this company - the guy on the phone was absolutely patronising. It was the first time I used them and will definitely be the last.
 
hmm ! :(

well, the image size depends on the dynamic range, colours etc of the photo. but I don't believe that anyone would put 4.5mb when it's usually sub 1mb .
I guess they tried to adapt the internet provider tactics, but it's different .

how much did you pay ?
If you're going to do this regularly best thing is to get a good scanner and dev the film for about 2 quid.
 
As you say, there's a natural variance in JPEG files due to the encoding method. If I had a load of 3Mb files then I wouldn't have minded - I'd have just assumed they were using some maximally difficult test image that maximises the file size. But a 1.3 megapixel scan is taking the P, frankly.

Price was painful - it was just over £14!
 
Wow, surprised to hear that - I know which company you are talking about, and they get a fair amount of recommenations from places like flickr.

If it says my jpeg's are going to be 4.5Mb (well, let's assume that's a typo and they do mean megabytes), I do expect 4.5MB files. Likewise for their 18MB service.
 
Cuchulainn said:
As you say, there's a natural variance in JPEG files due to the encoding method. If I had a load of 3Mb files then I wouldn't have minded - I'd have just assumed they were using some maximally difficult test image that maximises the file size. But a 1.3 megapixel scan is taking the P, frankly.

Price was painful - it was just over £14!
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wow !!!

14 quid !!!!???

epson v500 had a deal of 135 pounds delivered. 10 rolls and you're in business !

shhht !! that is robbery !
if it's the shot you showed in film section of velvia where a wife is looking at the photos it should've been really close to 4mb
 
Yeah, being based where I am, I thought that it was great having such a well regarded company, but their attitude on the phone really put me off. When I pointed out that their remark about my not understanding compression was in any case condescending and, in my specific case, a really stupid thing to imply due to my work, they just denied having said it at all! Their final suggestion was for me to come in, destroy the cd and they would refund me. I'll take them up on that, bring the slides in to Photographique on the way to work and, for a fiver, get them scanned in again at a much higher resolution in a shop who've repeatedly given me good quality, friendly service.
 
Starastin said:
wow !!!

14 quid !!!!???

epson v500 had a deal of 135 pounds delivered. 10 rolls and you're in business !

shhht !! that is robbery !
if it's the shot you showed in film section of velvia where a wife is looking at the photos it should've been really close to 4mb
Click to expand...

Yup, that was one of them.

Where was the epson deal? Or was that second hand?
 
Could you let us know who it is? I'm about to get a ton of old films scanned and I don't want to use these guys!
 
SixToes said:
Could you let us know who it is? I'm about to get a ton of old films scanned and I don't want to use these guys!
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Unless a Mod gives me an ok to name and shame, I'll leave it with a PM to you.
 
Doh, was just thinking about buying a scanner or getting my pics scanned, decided on the latter and think I've used the same place you went to. Too late now, will see how they come out.
 
As an update, I went in this morning on my way to work and they offered a refund on the scanning. Worked out at £5.80 for processing and £8.75 for the 1.3 megapixel scans! I'll drop the slides in to photographique at lunch for some higher res scans and update the images on my website once I get the new jpegs back..
 
Cuchulainn said:
Yup, that was one of them.

Where was the epson deal? Or was that second hand?
Click to expand...


not anymore though ! :( haven't seen that price for some time. although it pops up now and then .
must be patient and check almost everyday for a great deal .
I've even seen epson 4490 go for 45 delivered or something like that a week ago in the bay, but didn't have the funds.



other thing I've just thought of - I think you actually can't scan velvia in the automatic scanners . I'm no expert, as I usually use film for natural skintones not landscape stuff, but you should look into that . to process it costs a lot more than normal c41 as well . E6 was it ? for the velvia ?
 
Yes, Velvia is E6, so the development is a bit more than normal C41, but I was aware of that and didn't mind.
 
the dev yes - obviously. I had to send mine to london. but I think there was something that the chap said to me about the scanning as well . anyway - that is the shops problem not to know how to deal with stuff.
 
Have edited this post out as the site in question has now put a page up explaining the scan sizes.
 
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