Image quality comparison of scanned slide or color negative film vs digital

[awilder]

I primarily shoot with my Nikon D700 but also own a Nikon film scanner and a Nikon F2. So I was wondering if a scanned image from 200 or 400 ISO film would equal exceed or fall short compared to my D700 at ISO 1600. I'm sure pretty resolution would be better with film but not sure of things like dynamic range. How would something like Velvia 100 compare? I'm assuming it's dynamic range is the worst but resolution is the best of the three options.

 

[willie_901]

Typically when printing...

The resolution for the D700 will be better. The dynamic range for a high-quality scan at ISO 200 or 400 film will better. I have no idea about Velvia 100.

 

[rogerzilla]

Digital has better resolution but colour neg film has far greater latitude. If you're scanning, forget slide film and use neg film. The only reason slide film had a reputation for greater sharpness was because it was an original; neg film had to go through the enlarger and lose a bit more resolution. This no longer applies.

 

[awilder]

I'm not sure I understand the resolution aspect as the pixel count is bit higher on a scanned 24x36 mm negative compared to a 24x36 mm digital 12 MP sensor. Also with my D700, resolving power on USAF test charts is about 50 lp/mm at ISO 200 where aliasing kicks in, while on 200 ISO negative film it can can resolve over 80 lp/mm with the same lens. I feel like I'm missing a concept in understanding digital photography imaging but not sure what it is yet. Also I typically shoot in JPEG, not RAW if that makes much of a difference.

 

[rogerzilla]

The scanner resolution is higher than the grain can manage. If you can make out individual grains or dye clouds, which you will with any good scanner, you're exceeding the resolution of the film.

The reverse argument is that grain is part of your image and is desirable. This is often true; some shots wouldn't work in uber-smooth digital and Hollywood films have grain artificially added if they're digitally-shot.

 

[ianstamatic]

Digital has better resolution but colour neg film has far greater latitude. If you're scanning, forget slide film and use neg film. The only reason slide film had a reputation for greater sharpness was because it was an original; neg film had to go through the enlarger and lose a bit more resolution. This no longer applies.

No slides do have a finer grain than neg film. Think 8 microns vs 13