Help with scanning negs for a neophyte

[mdozier]

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I apologize outright for being stupid. I have searched through the forums and can't seem to find anything elemental enough to help me.

 

I'm starting out at the bottom. I'm trying to scan my negatives on a plain Cannon multipurpose flatbed scanner. It scans the strips (6, 35mm negs per strip) as a single jpeg.

I open ps and basically I end up cropping the image for each negative to produce a single image. Then I'm trying to convert the negative image to a photo with what seems to be a laborious effort.

 

Nothing in this process "recognizes" this jpeg as a negative. I may as well be scanning my ear.

 

Surely there's an easier way. Do some of these other intermediate software packages (Viewscan, etc.) help this process? Do I just need to get a real film scanner?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice/education.

 

Matt

[stig_dahlin]

You are not stupid. Well, not more than I am anyway. I started at the same point some years ago. A flatbed scanner is no good for 35 mm negatives. You need a dedicated 35 mm film scanner. There are a few not too expensive ones, Plustek, Reflekta, Nikon in the range $400 - $800. I advice you to search the internet for more info.

There are some drawbacks with filmscanners which made me look for other possibilities and since a few years I copy the negatives with a digital camera and a macro lens. This solution was cheap, simple, fast, "good enough" and cost me nothing.

Good luck!

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[jpattison]

Great idea, stig_dahlin,

I just tried it on my 40D with Leica 35-70 f4 macro, neg on lightbox, camera on tripod, used spirit level and live view to line up... (had to export to PShop from Lightroom to invert) ......

Thanks, John

[rob_x2004]

Have you been through your scanner instructions? I have an early model LiDE80 and it scans a row if I want but it also scans individual negatives, saving as separate files. Sounds like you are on a contact sheet setting.

If you are only uploading to the web or doing small prints, even cheap flatbeds are fine and no one will pick the difference post processing. Obviously the more expensive flatbeds are very good. The dedicated film scanners do a better job once you learn them, and look after your negative a bit better, but its a black art and takes a while to learn.

After market packages do not necessarily get more out of your scanner than the proprietary software, but they can be set to direct you some way down the path towards the final edited image.

 

Ps ... So I guess the advice is check your manual and make sure you are not doing something completely wrong, or, if you have decided film and scanning is the way forward for you rather than digital then go out and get yourself a Nikon while you still can and be prepared to put in some hard yards.

Edited October 15, 2009 by rob_x2004

[tobey bilek]

I can see the difference in a camera scan. The sample looks only ok. Perhaps a lens made for that work like a 60, but zooms are not made for that work.

 

A scan of a 4x6 print is more than good enough for web.

 

A flatbed scanner is good for 5x7 prints, 8x10 if you stretch.

 

A dedicated film scanner with a good lens and a flat neg will make up to 16x20

 

Then there are drum scanners and virtual drum scanners like the Imacon at $13000.

 

The above are general rules and individual products will differ.

[mdozier]

Thanks for the input.

I have downloaded a new driver and software update for the printer which I'll try tonight. Unfortunately I do not see anything in the software specific to film or negatives other than printing pics direct from a memory card.

 

Hopefully there's something I'm overlooking.

 

I don't really have a digital camera for photo-copy process. I suppose I could try the wife's V-Lux.

 

Thanks again,

Matt

[stig_dahlin]

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(had to export to PShop from Lightroom to invert) ......

Thanks, John

 

John! There are downloadable presets for Lightroom to invert negatives! The only thing is that every adjustment (curves, exposure etc.) works backwards. But give it a try! Works ok for me.

Search here: Inside Lightroom Point Curve Presets

 

Best, Stig

[roguewave]

Matt, after fooling around with the Canon MP, if you get hooked on getting the most without braking the bank, I suggest the Epson V700. At under $500, I think it's a gem. I use mine all the time for both 35mm & various medium format scans, with excellent results. I have recently begun scanning plate films for some friends that are experimenting with really old exotic cameras & even some cameras made from parts from older, "obsolete" cameras.

 

Although some dedicated 35 film scanners like the Nikon are said to provide better results, I do not agree. With Vuescan & the Epson V700 I get a lot of control in how I want to scan my negs and prepare them for development in Photoshop. Most of the Nikon scans are good for those that don't want to start with a flatter image with all the details and then "build: the image themselves. Also, the Nikon 5000 is around $1,700. It does a lot of work on the neg, but then the user doesn't have as much latitude to design the image for his own aesthetic.

[Fernmelder]

This won't contribute to the topic itself, but I see they use JC Decaux stuff in your town, too.

[MattLain]

'photo' scanners like some made by epson are designed with a direct intention of scanning negs/slides as much as documents. they use a seperate scanning lens above the film as opposed to the large glass pane on the bottom. these also preview two strips of 6x135 frames (so 12 frames total) and then scanned individually. scanning all of the frames in the one scan means your scan dpi will be spread over all the frames, and you'll lose a lot of resolution when cropping down to a single image. look at the epson 4990 or v500/v750 - i regularly use both at home and recommend which high regard. they're not imacons or drum scanners but considering their price, worth the money.

[mdozier]

Thanks for the information and advice.

I tried the "new" Cannon software last night and still no real option specific to negatives for this model scanner.

 

I basically am creating a jpeg of the strip at 600dpi and then Ps'ing each image one at a time out of the jpeg. Laborious with disappointing quality.

 

Looks like I'm in the market for an upgrade scanner, film specific or at least film capable. For the cost the local shops charge for high quality scans it's worth it.

 

Thanks again to all. I'll now start researching all the threads about scanner comparison. Unfortunately no one around here seems to have Epson or Nikon film scanners so I'll be networking for information just like I have all my Leica gear.

 

Thanks again.

Matt