2
\$\begingroup\$

I have a bunch of old negatives (~30 years old) that I recently sent out to a processing shop for scanning to digital. I was told that the scan resolution was slightly in excess of 3000dpi. I don't have any kind of equipment to do this myself, and am dealing with a local company.

However, when the scans came back, I was surprised to discover that many of the images looked more blurry than I remembered. I went back and discovered some old backups I had forgotten about, some almost 20 years old, which contains a few of the same images which had been scanned from prints, mostly on the order of 4x6. To my surprise, some of these images showed more detail in a lower resolution. For instance, one of the negatives scanned to an image around 3100x1900, while the print scan of only 2100x1600 shows detail which is fuzzy or blurry. Yet, it is not this way on all my images. On some of the images, the negative scan show more detail in which I can (for instance) read text which my print scan can't even resolve.

These results surprise me. I expect color changes, dust, scratches, that sort of thing, but not blurriness. I'm not sure if I should complain to the scanning service or ask for a partial refund and try somewhere else (I had a lot of pictures and paid a few hundred dollars up front), or if this is a legitimate possibility that time should degrade the resolution of the images. Many of the blurrish images were scanned from Disc format, and they claim the combination of the small size and the presence of the central hub contribute to the blurriness. However, since this I have discovered that even some of the 35mm scans are blurry. All of the blurry images are color (I suspect C41) negatives - I had B&W and color (positive) slides and even a few 110 negatives that turned out great.

update: I am attaching pictures to show a comparison of the detail in the original print scan and the higher resolution negative scan.

Here is the negative scan:

scan from negative

Here is the print scan, upsized using Cubic interpolation to approximately match the negative scan:

enter image description here

Here is the original print scan:

enter image description here

As I mentioned, not all of the negatives scanned blurry. Of those that did not, there is noticeable increase in resolution. For instance, this print scan (cubic upscaled for easily viewing): enter image description here

And this negative scan, also upscaled to match size: enter image description here

The grain is clearly visible and the text is verging on readable as compared to the print scan.

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • \$\begingroup\$ Related: photo.stackexchange.com/questions/38776/… \$\endgroup\$
    – OnBreak.
    Mar 28, 2019 at 16:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ Maybe they used a flatbed scanner with film adaptor and not a specific one for film. The flatbed claim u to 6000 dpi optical, but the actual details are below 2000 dpi effective (too much blur). \$\endgroup\$
    – FarO
    Mar 28, 2019 at 17:41
  • \$\begingroup\$ @FarO well the weird thing is, some of the scans really did look a lot better than the print scans. I suppose i could attach those comparisons as well if it helps. so i'm thinking, if I ask them to rescan the pictures that didn't turn out good and do it right this time, maybe i will get a better result... \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael
    Mar 28, 2019 at 18:04

2 Answers 2

2
\$\begingroup\$

Negatives don't get blurrier over time, or not significantly so: I can imagine changes which might reduce edge sharpness very slightly, but probably not noticeably, and only if they were stored in terrible (very hot) conditions for a very long time.

Chances are, if you definitely have scans from the same neg one of which is blurrier than the other, that there was a focus problem in one of the scans.

Edit corresponding to version 3 of the question: that looks to me like the scanner was just not properly focussed at all. If you have a loupe, or any other fairly high-power magnifying glass, you should be able to diagnose this from the neg: look on the neg at the right-hand chimney: in the newer scan it's just a featureless white shape, but in the older one you can clearly see the front & side of the chimney are distinct surfaces. A decent scanner should be able to resolve film grain: this is not quite the same thing for colour negs, but it in any case should be able to outresolve the film, and this is nowhere near that.

These are just rubbish scans, you should not pay for these in my opinion: either get them to redo them or ask for your money back.

\$\endgroup\$
6
  • \$\begingroup\$ that's good to know, thanks! with regards to heat i don't think they were ever that hot, and they were all stored together. I can't image why they had focus problems with so many images, though. I mean we are literally talking about over a hundred Disc images and probably at least the same amount of 35mm pictures (i haven't had the time to look really closely at all of them yet). Should I press them to try rescanning? Get my money back? \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael
    Mar 28, 2019 at 14:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ In case it's helpful I have also added a sample showing what the blur looks like on the negative scan compared to the print scan. \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael
    Mar 28, 2019 at 15:05
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Michael: See new version of my answer: I am now sure the scanner was not in focus. \$\endgroup\$
    – user82065
    Mar 28, 2019 at 16:23
  • \$\begingroup\$ Updated again to show an example of negatives that actually scanned good. Maybe if I ask them first if they will rescan the blurry ones and produce non-blurry images or else I want my money back? I really just want good scans, and even with my money back I am left with trying to find somewhere else... \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael
    Mar 28, 2019 at 18:16
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Michael the good ones look good. Sorry: when I said 'get your money back' I really meant 'don't pay for these scans, either get them to redo them or if they won't then get your money back': I should have worded it more clearly, sorry. I will amend my answer. \$\endgroup\$
    – user82065
    Mar 28, 2019 at 18:50
0
\$\begingroup\$

Negatives don’t change as to their sharpness. However the final outcome will be profoundly influenced by the methods, materials and equipment used to make prints. Before the age of digital, most folks took their film and or negatives to the drugstore or camera shop for developing and printing. The machines that did these tasks evolved over time. At the peak of the photo film photofinishing industry, films were developed in labs using high-speed equipment that could process and print, with high quality, thousands of rolls of film a day.

The printing equipment automatically analyzed each negative and applied corrective action to make an optimum print. I say optimum but the results were modified by the due diligence of the lab personnel. All and all, most such labs delivered prints with elevated standard (my seven giant labs anyway).

We are talking about the focus of the printing lens, the quality and surface type of the photo paper. Combine this with good quality control practices and the output was top-notch.

Today, few such photofinishing plants remain. Most are now small shops that scan negatives and print via ink on paper. The outcome can be terrific but often the scan density is low and quality control lackadaisical. Likely you will be able to find top-notch printing services but mostly the results will be hit and miss. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for (maybe). Take back the prints you don’t like and ask for a re-make. It’s your money so demand excellence.

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • \$\begingroup\$ I don't see what this has to do with the question. OP is asking about poor quality of scanned images. He is not complaining about paper prints. \$\endgroup\$
    – jarnbjo
    Mar 29, 2019 at 13:26

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.