16bit versus 8bit files

If you choose either LibraryScans or MaxScans you have the option of 16bit or 8bit versions of the final TIFF files at the same price.

So what's the difference and which is best for you?

16bit files contain much more information than 8bit files although they look identical.
You can edit 16bit files with little or no loss of image data or quality.
Editing 8 bit files results in data loss which shows up as ‘pinstripes’ when you look at the data histogram.
16bit files can easily be saved as 8bit files for images user who specify 8bit (most libraries)

Choose 8 bit files if;
you will never edit the image
you use an old version of Photoshop (pre CS1) or other program which can’t open 16bit files
you have very limited disk space.

Otherwise - I recommend you go for 16bit files.