scanning services in Manchester

[Leopold Green]

Hi there,

Does anyone of the several Manchester residents on this board know where i could get high quality scans done for some of my prints - i know it must seem amazing but i don't have a flatbed scanner [and little desire to purchase one] but i would love to have digital copies of my [mostly lith] prints before i have them framed...

I hope someone has some useful suggestions,

ta,

Leopold

[stunsworth]

Hi Leopold, I think Calumet in Manchester offer this. I was in their store last Saturday and I'm sure I saw a sign saying they did scans at a cost of £30 an hour. It might be worthwhile giving them a call. They're past Picadilly station near Mancunian Way. Details here...

Calumet Manchester - CALUMET

I have to add that I've never used them for this kind of work.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by Leopold Green

Hi there,

Does anyone of the several Manchester residents on this board know where i could get high quality scans done for some of my prints

I hope someone has some useful suggestions,

Leopold,

Your posts reads as though you just want a 'record' of your photographs, rather than a file from which to print new images. Please clarify.

Also, how many images are you contemplating and to what size?

I know where film can be scanned for reproduction purposes, but prints would suffice only for on-screeen viewing or small prints.

You could also test a few images to start.

Which side of Manchester are you based ?

[andybarton]

When I want E6 processed, if I don't send it away, I generally use these people:

Pro2col Imaging Limited

Reliable, friendly, good at what they do.

They still do everything at the moment.

[DTD]

Rolo makes the point about scanning from negs rather than prints. 99% of the time I'd agree with that, but I did read an interesting article in Black and White Photography last year. One printer regulary made an exhibition standard print in the darkroom and then used this to take a scan from.

If Leopold has a lot of scans to do, it might be cheaper to buy a flatbed for this one purpose.

[stunsworth]

Dave, I seem to remember that's what Ralph Gibson does.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by DTD

One printer regulary made an exhibition standard print in the darkroom and then used this to take a scan from.
.

Both are perfectly valid and give different results. Papers and developers have characters and each one being different you'd spend forever getting that toned Oriental Seagull look followed by a print on Record Rapid .....

If you want a file to look exactly like a print, scan the print. I'm much better at producing 'fine' prints in the darkroom than I am on the inkjet, but that's not true of everyone.

Alternatively, if you want to show your images on the net, or produce images to sell/give away, it might be right to do a film scan. What's more, my film scanner is a pro unit and my flatbed is a consumer unit giving inferior results.

ps any interest in a morning coffee over the break ? DTD - surplus mince pies to share with the Manchester Leica Lads ?

[cocker]

Originally Posted by andybarton

When I want E6 processed, if I don't send it away, I generally use these people:

Pro2col Imaging Limited

Reliable, friendly, good at what they do.

They still do everything at the moment.

Leopold,

Like Andy, I also use pro2col. Good to deal with and good quality. They certainly do scanning as well as processing.

Best wishes

[stunsworth]

Keith, but do they scan prints? That was the original question.

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by Rolo

any interest in a morning coffee over the break ? DTD - surplus mince pies to share with the Manchester Leica Lads ?

I'd be up for it - especially if Mrs Dave's mince pies were involved! Problem is I'm thinking of going away for a couple of days but haven't decided when. If there was a get together I'd probably prefer something towards the end of the week/weekend.

[Leopold Green]

Thanks Steve, Andy, Rollo, etc.

I'll give Pro2col and Calumet a ring and see what they can do...

I ought to have explained better - I only want a few [about 30] prints scanning so i have a digital record [and can someday add to a website] before i frame and hang them [I'm not trying to reproduce new prints from them] - and since i don't do my own printing it would be expensive to have them done a second time

I know flatbed scanners are cheap but i don't want another white/grey box cluttering the study when it will get comparatively little use... i have thought about a slide scanner in the past but if either of these companies use something more high end than the ubiquitous nikon that might be more economic as well given i am stubbornly analogue and rarely want to digitally print something

I should have thought of calumet but had never heard of pro2col so am grateful that there is a choice...

it still surprises me that there are comparatively so many leica forum members in this city particularly as i have only once ever seen anyone else with a leica here and that was during last years graduations when this guy wandered up to me outside the university to 'admire' my then new 75 and ask what i thought of the 1.25 magnifier which i was using [i think he was a parent not a local]

anyway many thanks to those who replied and have a good holiday


Leopold

[DTD]

Originally Posted by Rolo

- surplus mince pies to share with the Manchester Leica Lads ?

Mrs Dave hasn't made any! There's a couple of bought packets in the cupboard.I did see a consignment of gingerbread going out the door this morning. We could be really naff and have 'Leica' iced on them ;-)

I'm working over some of the hostilities, but if people would like to suggest a date…

I'm sans M6 at the moment as the wobbley lens has gone back for repair _ looking unlikely I'll be entering Andy's New Years Day gallery.

[Rolo]

I spend many hundreds of pounds with Pro2col each year for commercial printing and am happy with their prints.

I will never ask them to scan a film again and will never, ever ask them to Photoshop a scan - ever.

But you take them as you find them.

They have an Imacon film scanner and I'm sure they will have a professional flatbed.

To be honest Leopold, a competant operator using a consumer flatbed scanner will achieve the quality needed for your purpose. Consumer units are by no means 'crappy'.

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by DTD

I'm sans M6 at the moment as the wobbley lens has gone back for repair _ looking unlikely I'll be entering Andy's New Years Day gallery.

I can arrange for a loaner, if you want one.

[DTD]

As ever that's a very thoughtful offer.
I should be OK without Lilly for a couple of weeks (but reserve the right to change my mind!).