Seeking advice on scanning negatives

*ismaelg* · 05-22-2009, 04:23 PM

Hello,

OK, I suppose this has been asked a million times before but I did a quick search and did not find much.
I don't shoot as much film as I used to, but I do occasionally. And I have old negatives I'd like to scan.
Any pros/cons of having this done by a pro lab vs do it yourself? I have seen some cheap scanners but the word "cheap" scares me. I have a scanner/copier/printer but it can not do this. Any guidelines on doing this?

Thanks,

CGJung · 05-22-2009, 08:29 PM

I am looking for the same answer, mostly interested in work flow and software involved in the process, also specific techniques for color and B&W. Thanks!!

Venturi · 05-22-2009, 10:30 PM

Here's the most recent long discussion on the subject...
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...ns-anyone.html

I had a big long post prepared about it but it really boils down to this for me. I have a 600DPI flatbed scanner. It does a good job. It takes forever to scan a roll. It's a tedious process to position each strip. The local lab is way too expensive ($3/frame). I'm saving my pennies for a dedicated film scanner that will scan contiguous rolls.

stevebrot · 05-22-2009, 11:02 PM

I just bought a dedicated film scanner (Nikon Coolscan 5000 ED) and will post my initial impressions once it arrives sometime next week. It was, in a word, expensive. To be honest, I have serious doubts that the cost was justified. We will see.

There are other dedicated film scanners in the $300 - $500 range that are supposed to be quite good. My next choice after the Nikon was the Plustek 7500ai or the soon-to-be-released Plustek 7600ai. Both models ship with Silverfast AI Studio and a calibration target slide. I was also considering the Reflecta RPS 7200 (aka Pacific Image PrimeFilm 7250Pro3).

Here is a European site that has scanner reviews:

ScanDig Scanner Tests

Steve

ajuett · 05-22-2009, 11:28 PM

I've posted my procedure I prefer before but, here I go again

I use a 5 year old Epson 2450 Photo. Set to max hardware scan at 2400dpi, 48bit at 100%. This gives me an image that is about 6MP or 3200x2100 to work with. Each negative photo takes almost 6 minutes. Slow, although I can accept it, barely. After post production (rarely needed) I crop/resize to 900px on the long side and post on the net. If I need a print, I'll take the negative to a shop and have it done. Loads of examples here; Daily Photography (film) Photo Gallery by ajuett at pbase.com

*photolady* · 05-29-2009, 05:37 PM

Be aware, that scanning at 48-bit only works if your software supports it. Mine doesn't so my Epson Perfection 4490 photo is set to scan at 24bit instead. My PhotoShop version 7 and my PhotoShop Elements 5 does not support 48-bit.

bymy141 · 05-31-2009, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by ismaelg

Hello,

OK, I suppose this has been asked a million times before but I did a quick search and did not find much.
I don't shoot as much film as I used to, but I do occasionally. And I have old negatives I'd like to scan.
Any pros/cons of having this done by a pro lab vs do it yourself? I have seen some cheap scanners but the word "cheap" scares me. I have a scanner/copier/printer but it can not do this. Any guidelines on doing this?

Thanks,

I've bought such a cheap slide / negative scanner.
Brought it back the same day. It is terrible. Wrong / few colours, dynamic range is a disaster, so beware of cheap film scanners.
Now we got ourselves a Canon 8800, its great, what a difference!

- Bert

Vertex Ninja · 06-02-2009, 03:43 PM

Are you interested in printing large? Consumer flatbeds can't do anywhere near what they say they can in terms of resolution or dynamic range. If you want to turn into a scanner snob visit here, here and here. Be warned what you see can't be unseen!

An Epson is good for ~4x-6x enlargement, a Nikon somewhere around 8x, and an Imacon, Kodak/Creo, or drum for 10x plus. You can print larger from any of them, just that it won't have anymore detail, similar to interpolating in photoshop.

I have a Creo Jazz+ and can post some comparisons if you'd like to pixel peep. I also do dry and wet scans for hire.

Nothing beats a nice drum scan if you're really critical and want to print as big as you can, but it's really pricey once you include shipping and everything. If you just need/want to post on the web an epson v500/700, 4990 will be plenty.

Just my opinions.

ajuett · 06-02-2009, 06:29 PM

For scanning, my Epson 2450 Photo is perfect, apart from speed. If I was "critical" I wouldn't be scanning and then printing anyway. I'd get the print done from the negative instead.

Vertex Ninja · 06-02-2009, 06:43 PM

Yup exactly, unless you'd want to edit or sharpen the image, then a scan could come in handy.

Speaking of an epson 2450 I may have a 2400 or 2450(can't recall) that i'd be willing to give free to a good home, as long as all shipping charges were covered. I can't remember what I did with it, but I think I still have it... PM if anyone is interested.

uccemebug · 06-05-2009, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by ismaelg

Hello,

OK, I suppose this has been asked a million times before but I did a quick search and did not find much.
I don't shoot as much film as I used to, but I do occasionally. And I have old negatives I'd like to scan.
Any pros/cons of having this done by a pro lab vs do it yourself? I have seen some cheap scanners but the word "cheap" scares me. I have a scanner/copier/printer but it can not do this. Any guidelines on doing this?

Thanks,

I have both a flatbed scanner that's capable of scanning various formats (Epson GTX770) *and* an old (Minolta) dedicated film scanner. The dedicated film scanner does a much better job. It's not fast, but it reliably churns out images that capture that film feel.

With the Minolta, I produce ~4MB photos that are suitable for web and modest printing. I scan at 16bit, and only single pass, so each frame takes only a minute or so. If I want to print something larger, I'll set it to do multiple passes and bump up the resolution as high as it will go. The Minolta is great, too, in that I can just put it away when it's not in use.

I use the flatbed when I scan 645 negatives.

With the batch-processing capabilities in Photoshop and even Irfanview, handling the files is trivial (I do not do a lot of post-processing, mind you, just levels - contrast - smart-sharpen).

As far as cost is concerned, I look at it this way: I can get semi-tolerable TIF's scanned by the local DPE at something like $20 a roll. I scanned 150 rolls of film in 2008, meaning about $3000 in "savings" for that year alone.