Another alternative is to use service bureaus, shops where professional photographers,
advertising agencies, and artists have film developed, images scanned, and other
high-end work. Service bureaus will scan 35mm film and store the images on a CD-
ROM-type disc. Some companies that offer film developing and prints by mail also
offer scans on CD-ROM. The images are not as high-resolution as Kodak Photo CDs,
but might be satisfactory for small prints or for Internet use. You can find these
mail-order service bureaus in the back of most photography magazines.The Absolute Minimum
Scanners enable traditional film photographers to become digital photographers. If
you are a film photographer and would like to edit your images onscreen, keep
these tips in mind:
■ Scanners range in price from $40–$40,000. Research and then buy the best
scanner you can afford. The difference in quality is significant.
■ If you are serious about digital photography and will continue to use film,
invest in a good negative scanner or flatbed scanner that can scan negatives.
■ Dust is a serious pain when scanning. Keep your scanner clean and invest in
gloves, an antistatic brush, and a can of compressed air.
■ Scans of slides include the most tonal information, followed by negatives,
and then prints.
■ 48-bit depth scans are much larger in size than 24-bit scans, but they contain
much more color and tonal information.
■ It is always better to scan at the correct resolution than to resize the image
afterward. Determine the output size before you scan.
■ If you want to make copies of a print, scan at 300 samples per inch, then
print at 300 ppi on your printer. This ensures that the print stays the same
size.80 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TODIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY