Two years ago Kodak were still offering a floppy-based solution,
obviously with lower resolution images (better suited to Web
graphics). The CD-ROM certainly came with viewing software (32-bit
Windows and Mac?), but the Win3.1x version of PaintShopPro can
also open PCD format. For DOS, Graphic Workshop _may_ do the job.
Have you got GW installed, LD?
Kodak told me that a range of image resolutions were offered for
the Photo-CD, and that the CD could be "topped up", with specified
shots from existing processed negatives.
Two years on, and I find a cheapo processor is offering the CD
processing at the same time as developing and printing for about
50% extra (less than U$3 extra) for 36 shots. The images are in
JPEG format of 3 - 4 MB, and 32-bit Doze viewing software is on
the disk, though not many people would need it. A 1024x1536 image
is about 9MB for 24bit color, without compression. Compressing down
to 3MB shouldn't noticeably degrade the quality, especially if the
image is resampled down to suitable dimensions for the Web.
But maybe this is too cheap? Sam says he's had poor results. Agfa
are noted for their Snapscan scanners, but I wouldn't trust Agfa
processors after several bad jobs a decade ago, when they seemed to
be chasing market share by cutting costs too fine.
You can hope for an automated process that uses an excellent scanner
and maybe tweaks the color balance, but you may in fact get a poorly
motivated biped putting greasy thumbprints on your precious negatives.
"Color Pilot" software for 16/32-bit Doze allows you to perform your
own color tweaking. I'm quickly snapping through a 36-exp film with
a use-by of 1996, and will give the cheap processor ONE chance. It
would be interesting to see a comparison from a digital camera. I've
got quite a good 35mm compact by Minox, so less garbage in before any
garbage out. I certainly prefer TV drama which has been shot on film.
Regards,
Jake
-- Written by a user of Arachne: the Internet Survival Kit
-- Arachne V1.70;rev.3, NON-COMMERCIAL copy, http://arachne.cz/
