Editing Digital camera back (section)

==== Scanning film ====
If a high-resolution digital image is required, it can be achieved inexpensively without the use of a digital back by taking a large-format photograph on film and scanning the result; for best results a high-quality [[Image scanner#Drum|drum scanner]] is required. This can be used to create a much larger very high resolution [[computer file]] than is feasible with a single-shot digital back, and quality is high,<ref>{{Cite web|title=A 100 MP Digital Camera System for Under $2,000|url=http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/100mp.htm|work=KenRockwell.com|year=2006|access-date=May 4, 2013}}</ref> though it has been argued that the resolution is not much better than a digitally photographed image.<ref>{{Cite web|title=June 2005 Shootout|url=http://www.captureintegration.com/tests/archive/|publisher=Capture Integration|work=CaptureIntegration.com|access-date=May 4, 2013}}</ref>

A detailed comparison in 2006 by a professional photographer of drum-scanned 10&nbsp;× 12.5&nbsp;cm (4&nbsp;× 5″) images and digital 39-megapixel images on a medium-format camera found resolution very similar, with the scanned images slightly better. Color accuracy was not compared as digital profiles for the digital back were not available, but the author was of the considered opinion that the digital camera would ultimately be more accurate. For sustained professional use the apparent cost advantage of scanning film was very much reduced on careful analysis; including expensive 10&nbsp;× 12.5&nbsp;cm (4&nbsp;× 5″) film and processing and the cost of use of a drum scanner brought the projected cost over three years to about 80% of the cost of a digital back at the time. The digital back also had the advantage that the incremental cost of taking huge numbers of exposures was nil, while each 10&nbsp;× 12.5&nbsp;cm (4&nbsp;× 5″) photograph cost over [[US$]]3. Both the scanned and the 39-megapixel images were noticeably better than images with a 22-megapixel back.<ref name="cramer">{{Cite web|title=4x5" Drum Scanned Film vs. 39 Megapixel Digital|url=http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/Cramer.shtml|first=Charles|last=Cramer|year=2006|access-date=May 4, 2013}}</ref>

An actual flatbed [[image scanner]] can be used as a camera back if fast operation and short exposures are not required.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Scanner Photography Project|url=http://golembewski.awardspace.com/|first=Mike|last=Golembewski|publisher=Audi Design Foundation|work=Golembewski.Awardspace.com|access-date=May 4, 2013}}</ref>