Sample Gallery
See what each scan type actually
looks like.
Below, the same frame scanned at every tier we offer so you can judge detail, color, and edge sharpness for yourself. Compare any two scan types and let us know if we can help any further.
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The four tiers
Every tier, the same frame.
We picked one Portra 400 frame and scanned it at every tier. Same negative, same operator, same color baseline. The only thing that changes is the scanner path and the file you get out.
Tier 01
Large JPEG
Web & social, fast turnaround
Quick batch scans for seeing what's on the roll, sharing selects, or choosing frames for later rescans.
Best for: Instagram, web galleries, contact-sheet review, small prints, or budget-first rolls.
Tier 02
X-Large TIFF
Day-to-day printing, sharing
Our favorite scan tier for those who want a bit more from their scans: operator-corrected Noritsu files with plenty of resolution for everyday editing and prints.
Best for: Editing, professional use, portfolio updates, and web delivery with room to crop.
Tier 03
Pro Camera
Large prints, editing latitude
Camera-scan workflow for important frames, exhibition prints, commercial work, and archive-grade rescans.
Best for: Those who want the most from their roll, and want an archival profile with immense color data to make all adjustments on their own.
Tier 04
Drum
Fine art, archival, max detail
Wet-mounted, archival drum scan to squeeze every bit of color, resolution, and sharpness out of your negative.
Best for: Gallery prints, 30x40 and larger output, archival rescans, and one-frame hero selections.
All four, side by side
The same crop, four tiers, no commentary.
Large JPEG
3130 x 2075 px · 8-bit JPEGDecent at 100% view. Fine for sharing.X-Large TIFF
4000 x 6000 px · 16-bit TIFFCrisp at intended size. A perfect, professional scan.Pro Camera
~11000 x 8000 px · 16-bit TIFF (Adobe RGB)Very high detail and color depth.Drum
Various resolution options · 8-bit or 16-bit TIFF (Adobe RGB)Maximize your film scans with the highest level of resolution, while capturing all of your negative's sharpness.Specs
Full tier specifications.
Large JPEG
- Resolution
- 3130 x 2075 px
- Scanner / setup
- Noritsu HS-1800
- Format
- 8-bit JPEG
- File size
- ~3 MB per frame
- Reference price
- $11 per roll
X-Large TIFF
- Resolution
- 4000 x 6000 px
- Scanner / setup
- Noritsu HS-1800
- Format
- 16-bit TIFF
- File size
- ~170 MB per frame
- Reference price
- $18 per roll
Pro Camera
- Resolution
- ~11000 x 8000 px
- Scanner / setup
- Fujifilm GFX 100S
- Format
- 16-bit TIFF (Adobe RGB)
- File size
- ~520 MB per frame
- Reference price
- From $30 per full roll (Standard TIFF)
Drum
- Resolution
- Various resolution options
- Scanner / setup
- Fluid-mounted drum scanner
- Format
- 8-bit or 16-bit TIFF (Adobe RGB)
- File size
- Up to ~4 GB per frame
- Reference price
- From $45 per frame (645, 4000 DPI, 8-bit)
Decision
Which tier is right for you?
If you
If you want a scan for web-use, social media, or small prints and plan to do some minor editing/adjusting.
You shoot often, want quick keepers, and may come back for higher-res rescans later. You're not printing anything large yet.
Pick Large JPEGIf you
If you want flexible files for most everything.
You want a file with enough working resolution to make crop adjustments, and plenty of color information to tweak the scan to fit the color palette you like.
Pick X-Large TIFFIf you
If you want a very high quality, neutral base starting point to edit your own look onto each scan.
You edit scans in Lightroom or Capture One, print larger, do client work, and need dense TIFFs with room for grading.
Pick Pro CameraIf you
If one frame has to be perfect.
You are making a gallery print, selling an edition, or preserving an irreplaceable negative for the archive.
Pick DrumQuick Guide
- Want something for web use
- Large JPEG
- Crisp, professional files
- X-Large TIFF
- Full editing control
- Pro Camera
- One frame has to be perfect
- Drum
- Unsure
- Ask before ordering