Forget film if you want ultimate resolution.
Test target, SOOC. Leica M10, 35mm f/2 Canon LTM at f/8.
Using the very sharp Canon 35mm f/2 LTM lens at f/8 and an iPhone I photographed my local ‘test target’ using four delivery methods:
- Kodak Ektar 100 JPG film scan, 30mb file, Noritsu 3212 film scanner, Speedy ePhoto in Tacoma, WA.
- Kodak Ektar 100 TIF film scan, 182mb file, Noritsu (unknown model) scanner The Film Developing. Co, Eau Claire, WI.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max, image recorded in Apple Pro RAW.
- Leica M10, DNG.
Here are the results showing 100% enlargements in LRc, which means the equivalent of a 72″x48″ print.
JPG film scan:
TIF film scan:
iPhone:
Leica M10:
Click the image for an even larger version at 200%.
The conclusions are obvious, even using a small display device. Want to waste your money and get the scan fast? Speedy ePhoto is for you. Want the best possible TIF scans but with a gargantuan file size then The Film Developing.Co is good and the turnaround is 24 hours from receipt of your film. Want even better results from a pocket device? The iPhone is splendid and I would bet that current versions are better still. But if you want to blow the doors completely off there’s only once choice. A big digital sensor, be it Leica, Nikon, Canon or Sony.
Want resolution? Forget film.