Settings for scanning of 35mm slides

[Ämetz]

Hi all,

Following a search, I've read most of the posts dealing with this subject.
However, some procedure remains unclear to me so I need your help for a better understanding.
I have also read the corresponding chapter in the book from Taz Telly "Silverfast - the official book" (German edit.), but the workflow is not fully clear to me.

I own a Nikon Coolscan LS-40 and want to scan the best of my 10K collection of colour slides.
Time is not the most relevant factor, but quality. I want to scan my slides for further use with beamers in order to create multivision shows with silver screen widths of approx. 3m, but also poster prints up to 50x70cm.

There are mainly two things I need to know:
[list=] Should the output size setting be the same as the original size setting, i.e. 24x36mm?[/list]
[list=] Should I adjust resolution to the max. resolution possible for my LS-40 using the slider?[/list]

I understood that the best method of getting best results is to store the digitized slide in its original size and do post-processing for printing, LCD-TV or beamer presentation by post-processing the stored data.

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Ämetz,

Usually when you want to scan your pictures for a determined output, say beamer or TV, its important to know the resolution of the end device and make your output resolution to that size.
If you intend to scan images for more than one output, as in your case:

I want to scan my slides for further use with beamers in order to create multivision shows with silver screen widths of approx. 3m, but also poster prints up to 50x70cm.

Then it is appropriate to use the highest optical resolution of the scanner to create the highest quality file possible. By doing this, you will have an archive of your file and then in post-production export your files to the desired sizes.

Cheers

[Ämetz]

Dear LSI_Morales,

You wrote:

Then it is appropriate to use the highest optical resolution of the scanner to create the highest quality file possible. By doing this, you will have an archive of your file and then in post-production export your files to the desired sizes.

Cheers

What about the output size of the file? I understood from literature (Taz Tellys book) that the output size stays with 36x24mm for colour slides then.
Is this correct?

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Ämetz,

What about the output size of the file? I understood from literature (Taz Tellys book) that the output size stays with 36x24mm for colour slides then.
Is this correct?

That is right, the original size of color slides is that of (36 mm x 24 mm). Since you want to produce different outputs, you have to create an optimal master file or archive file in 48 bits HDR quality. You can use that file as a starting point for producing the other files.

The best thing to generate that master file is to scan your pictures with the highest optical resolution of the scanner (4000 dpi), it means moving the slider to the outmost right and return one step but keeping the output resolution and scale values as they are.

This will scan your images with optical resolution and without resampling.

Cheers