Digital BW, The Print

IMHO pixel count isn't the only factor, especially for larger prints. 
The viewing distance should also be considered when figuring out what
scanning resolution to use.

Picture Window Pro shipped (this is from 2002) with a scanning
resolution calculator that combined negative size, printer resolution,
viewing distance, and output width to calculate needed scanning
resolution.

For example; for a 35mm negative, 13inches x 19inches output (to give
you some cropping room on an 11" x 17" print),  printer resolution of
1440 dpi, and a viewing distance of 10" (rather close), the recommended
scanning resolution is a little over 3400 dpi.

If you change the viewing distance to 24 inches, the needed resolution
drops to 1433 dpi.  (but that wouldn't look real great on closer
examination).   Going the other way, at a viewing distance of 6" the
recommended resolution is over 5600 dpi.

So it depends on how you expect to view the prints -- get you face right
into them or put them on the wall and step back.  Personally, I'd say
that anything 3200 dpi or greater would be OK.  But there's also the
file format to consider -- 16 bit TIFF would be nice presuming your
photo editing software can make use of it.

Back to lurking,

Steve Alred
Upper Marlboro, MD

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "steveh0607"
<steveh060758@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I found and old Pentax Super Program film camera that still works like
new (how about that
> for quality construction)!! I had it cleaned then shot a roll of Delta
100. The largest paper I
> print on is 11"x17" with the image no more than 15" on the long side
(Epson 2400), but most
> prints are on 8.5"x11" paper.
>
> The local photo store develops and scans negatives to a disc. At what
resolution should I
> have the negatives scanned to ensure a good inkjet print?
>
> Thanks, Steve
>