scanning

Is it better to scan in a 35mm negative to the original size or to
select a target size like 4x6 before it imports into Photoshop? Or is
better to just scan in the 4x6 photo prints from the developer? The
file size must be under 100mb. The inkjet prints will be around 11x14.
thanks,
alex

Corrected link:

http://www.scantips.com/calc.html

"Dave the Guy" wrote

Don't ever ever scan a print and enlarge it.

Funny, I do a lot of that: people with old photos and no
negatives -- the originals were c. 1938 4x4cm contact prints
made in 1938 in a mud hut on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Negatives long gone. The scans made very nice 3 1/2" prints.
The grand-kids got CD's.

I can do better with internegatives but it is a PITA.

Suprisingly good copies of old B&W prints can be had
with table top/35mm/macro lens pics on drugstore processed
Kodacolor. Fast and cheap too: zip through
the pics and give the roll of exposed film to the client
[neighbor] to do with what they will. The prints have
the original 'character building' stains on them.

--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
To reply, remove spaces: n o lindan at ix . netcom . com
Fstop timer - http://www.nolindan.com/da/fstop/index.htm

Okay then, let me correct my original statement to: Don't ever ever
scan a print and enlarge it if you have opportunity to scan the
original film.

;-) Better?

Why would you think scanning a print would be better, that would mean
you have a copy of a copy! Better to take the photo to a lab and get
the 11x14 print done on there Lightjet printer, it might cost a bit
more but you are paying for the quaility and are you going to care when
you are looking at that picture in 10 years.