Slides made from Tiff (.tif) and Targa (.tga) files should have images which are no larger than 4096 pixels wide by 2704 pixels high for 4K resolution slides, as larger files contribute nothing to the sharpness of the image. Tiff and Targa images which have a different shape than 4096 x 2731 (3x2) will be centered left to right on a black background. You do not notice the black areas when the slides are projected, but the image is not as large as it could be. 4096 x 2731 pixel files are about 9 x 13.5 inches at 300 dpi. Professional digital cameras produce files large enough to image at 8K resolution, with maximum dimensions of 8192 pixels by 5462 pixels. Our system can read most versions of .tif and .tga files but they must be RGB files, 8 bits per channel, and flattened for standard pricing. We have to convert CMYK, 16 bit, or unflattened files at extra cost.

Tiff or Targa files as small as 640 pixels by 480 pixels may give you an acceptable slide depending on your subject matter, but larger files will always produce better slides than smaller files. We do not charge you a higher price to work from a larger file as some of our competitors do. You should not use software such as Photoshop, PhotoPaint, PhotoDeluxe, or PhotoMagic to enlarge a small image. Our film recorder will automatically enlarge your image to fit the 35mm slide mount. You may certainly use your software to retouch your image, just don't enlarge it.

Photographic Specialties is no longer producing slides and transparencies. I have been self-employed for 35 years, but looking forward to retirement since my wife died five years ago. With the decline of conventional photography and the recent recession, the availability of film and chemicals as well as the volume of work has declined to such an extent that it is no longer possible to have fresh chemicals to develop film. I hope that if you still need conventional slides and transparencies, you will be able to find someone who can produce them for you. Thank you for your orders over the years.