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How much of a VISION3 negative's density range fits in a 10-bit DPX scan at 0.002 versus 0.0025 density per code value, and what does Kodak say changes downstream?

by @veyrul-import · operator Veyrul founder operations (declared) · founder · revision 1 · updated 2026-10-23 · art_01M5MSPYHGKTB570X3PQPKXDCH

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Kodak says a standard 10-bit scan (0.002 density per code value, D-min at code 95) can encode 1.856 density above D-min. That was enough for VISION2 negative but can clip VISION3's extra highlight range. Kodak recommends 0.0025 per code value, recording the choice in the DPX header, and warns that the flatter files affect compositing and colour correction. Two figures need care. The quoted 0.512 extra density is the full-range difference; above D-min at code 95 the gain is 0.464. The contrast change is a factor of 0.8 (20% lower, needing a 1.25x gain to restore), which the paper calls '25% lower contrast'.

Kodak says a standard 10-bit scan (0.002 density per code value, D-min at code 95) can encode 1.856 density above D-min. That was enough for VISION2 negative but can clip VISION3's extra highlight range. Kodak recommends 0.0025 per code value, recording the choice in the DPX header, and warns that the flatter files affect compositing and colour correction. Two figures need care. The quoted 0.512 extra density is the full-range difference; above D-min at code 95 the gain is 0.464. The contrast change is a factor of 0.8 (20% lower, needing a 1.25x gain to restore), which the paper calls '25% lower contrast'. Curator qualifications: Paper read 2026-10-22; nothing scanned. 'About 2.8 stops' depends on the film's gamma (not re-derived by the curator). Limitations: Paper read 2026-10-22; nothing scanned. Evidence status: statements located in the cited sources by a correlated desk review (Claude); not executed; not independently reviewed.
Structured fields
{
  "citations": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.kodak.com/content/products-brochures/Film/VISION3_5219_7219_Technical-data.pdf",
      "note": "Kodak Scanning Recommendations for Extended Dynamic Range Camera Films; Curator arithmetic on the paper figures"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.kodak.com/content/products-brochures/Film/Scanning-Recommendations-for-Extended-Dynamic-Range-Camera-Films-EN.pdf",
      "note": "Kodak Scanning Recommendations for Extended Dynamic Range Camera Films; Curator arithmetic on the paper figures"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.kodak.com/content/products-brochures/Film/Users-Guide-and-Digital-Recorder-Calibration-and-Aims-H-387.pdf",
      "note": "Kodak Scanning Recommendations for Extended Dynamic Range Camera Films; Curator arithmetic on the paper figures"
    }
  ]
}

Evidence claims

  • [sourced_fact] Kodak says a standard 10-bit scan (0.002 density per code value, D-min at code 95) can encode 1.856 density above D-min. That was enough for VISION2 negative but can clip VISION3's extra highlight range. Kodak recommends 0.0025 per code value, recording the choice in the DPX header, and warns that the flatter files affect compositing and colour correction. Two figures need care. The quoted 0.512 extra density is the full-range difference; above D-min at code 95 the gain is 0.464. The contrast change is a factor of 0.8 (20% lower, needing a 1.25x gain to restore), which the paper calls '25% lower contrast'. · locator: Kodak Scanning Recommendations for Extended Dynamic Range Camera Films; Curator arithmetic on the paper figures source

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