scanning for web-viewing: tiffs vs jpegs/ 8 vs 16 bit

[msbarnes]

I normally scan my negatives 2400 dpi / tiffs / and 16-bit grayscale. (V750) And then I tweak it in photoshop (usually just levels/curves) and then I save the jpeg.

Now I only use these images for web viewing but is this "overkill"? Would I be just as well off saving it as jpegs/8-bit to save time/space? I never mind so much because I just figured that more information is better and this seems to be a good threshold for what is somewhat manageable.

 

[kiemchacsu]

you're right, 16bit tiff is too much for web-viewing. nowadays, my scan workflow is like this: i scan the whole roll to small size jpgs, normaly 2000dpi that is more than enough for posting online. if some photos are worth to keep then i re-scan them 16bit tiff @2700 dpi (max res of my Nikon CSIV)

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I scan everything as a 16 bit TIFF just because most film scans need editing to make them have the right tonality and color (for color photos). 16 bit TIFFs stand up to tonal manipulation a lot better than JPEG, so scan as 16 bit TIFF, edit, then save as an 8bit JPEG for best quality web image.

 

[Particular]

If you are tying to save disk space or give your processor a break, I would reduce resolution before reducing bit depth. At a lower resolution, you will still be getting the advantages of better latitude and tonality.
I sometimes batch scan images at a lower resolution as 16bit DNG, and then tweak them in Lightroom. If I later decide to rescan some of the images I just apply the same settings in LR. That gives me at least a great starting point, and sometimes that is all they need.

 

[msbarnes]

thanks for the responses: very informative and to the point.

I just wanted to be consistent and structure my workflow so that it is efficient. It sounds like what I am doing is probably fine and not really overkill.

 

[Flood]

Storage is cheap. Digitally, I shoot RAW, so I also scan 16 bit TIFFs, adjust in Lightroom and if something wants to published to web, export as JPG.