Look at this picture (question): I took this picture using Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400. Processing and scan by Dark Room. Scan was Dark Room's mid-level (8x10) resolution. Is the...

safeman

I took this picture using Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400. Processing and scan by Dark Room. Scan was Dark Room's mid-level (8x10) resolution. Is the fuzziness a result of fast color negative film? When viewed in Photoshop at 100% it seems quite grainy. I won't have to worry about it for long, my D 7200 arrives Tuesday but I still would like to know the answer.

Black-bellied Tree Duck
Black-bellied Tree Duck...

(Download)

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

You're right, it's not especially sharp, but of course it's also a copy of a copy. What I see in the download (looking at the duck's head, for example) could also be a bit of motion blur. Maybe some more data about the exposure would help us find the culprit.

It would also be good to know the exact scan resolution. "8x10" resolution may mean different things from different labs. I'm having a lot of my slides done, and it's taken awhile to find an outfit that really does hi-res. In fact, they're not scanning at all, but copying with a hi-res DSLR. Anyway, good luck!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Gaining grain during development is a typical fact of fast film and even a little worse if the film is scanned. The head of the duck shows motion, perhaps your shutter speed was not high enough.
By the way, gaining on contrast is not that rare either.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

safeman wrote:

I took this picture using Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400. Processing and scan by Dark Room. Scan was Dark Room's mid-level (8x10) resolution. Is the fuzziness a result of fast color negative film? When viewed in Photoshop at 100% it seems quite grainy. I won't have to worry about it for long, my D 7200 arrives Tuesday but I still would like to know the answer.

It's not really grainy though it does have some movement due to blur.

That looks like every other 400 speed film I've seen, it might have been a bit underexposed which doesn't help the colors and grain situation.

Mostly though, it's out of focus and blurry.

Film has grain...embrace the grain! Love the grain!!! Do not fear the grain! :)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Pretty good assessments here...

I’d use a better lab, and higher resolution (6000x4000 pixels is about right).

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Generally, the faster the film the more grain present. I'm not familiar with your scanning software. Is there a grain reduction option? This is also a negative film instead of a transparency film. Fast negative films also tend to have more grain.

Gemeader Loc: NW WA state ( upper left hand corner)

safeman wrote:

I took this picture using Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400. Processing and scan by Dark Room. Scan was Dark Room's mid-level (8x10) resolution. Is the fuzziness a result of fast color negative film? When viewed in Photoshop at 100% it seems quite grainy. I won't have to worry about it for long, my D 7200 arrives Tuesday but I still would like to know the answer.

Having used all types and sizes of films in my career, I'd answer that yes, what you see is a result of using color negative film. In terms of sharpness, and in descending order: Color slide film, black and white negative film, color negative film being the worst of the lot. Other answers are correct as well. It's a copy of a copy, perhaps a less than perfect scan, some grain adding to the effect of 'softness'. There are areas, the near rock, that are just plain out of focus-I hope you're not concerned about them.