Lab/Home Scan?

[dferrie]

If you get film processed in a Lab (as opposed to doing it yourself) do you think it's better to have the Lab do the scanning (on to CD) or to scan the films yourself afterwards?

David

[Don Bryant]

If you get film processed in a Lab (as opposed to doing it yourself) do you think it's better to have the Lab do the scanning (on to CD) or to scan the films yourself afterwards?

David

That depends on your scanning skills, their scanning skills, the size of your wallet and mainly what your intent for the scans are.

If you aren't equiped to do scaning then it might make sense.

If you are a working pro it might make sense.

If you trust your lab it might make sense.

Does my reply make any sense?

Don Bryant

[jon king]

If you get film processed in a Lab (as opposed to doing it yourself) do you think it's better to have the Lab do the scanning (on to CD) or to scan the films yourself afterwards?

David

David,

I get my C41 developed at a 1 hour lab that is run by skilled people who care about their processing . I usually get a CD of scans for a few dollars extra. Those are small jpg scans they probably would have used for the 4x6 or 5x5 prints. I use those instead of proof prints and for quick web use. It saves me the time of making and correcting quick flatbed scans.

When I make an enlargement I get a scan done in the lab from a dedicated film scanner - even with an 8x10 print from a 645 negative, I see a real difference between the 'good' lab scan and a scan on my flatbed scanner.

Jon