StS Posted June 10, 2007 Share #1  Posted June 10, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Good afternoon,  at the moment I'm relying on my standard lab to get my negatives scanned (they will be scanned anyhow for printing). However I recognized they do sharpen the images quite aggressively (please find an example attached, the tower was meant to fade in the dust).  To get better control over the process I'm thinking about investing in a film scanner.  Having asked friends with experience for advice, I have been told dust control is the critical thing when scanning negatives.  Would you like to share your best practices for dust control when scanning film?  Cheers  Stefan Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/26332-dust-control-when-scanning-negatives/?do=findComment&comment=277628'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 10, 2007 Posted June 10, 2007 Hi StS, Take a look here Dust control when scanning negatives?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ruiespanhol Posted June 11, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted June 11, 2007 Stefan, Â I have the same problem when scan my films using my Epson V350 scanner. I use one air can and microfibre cloth for cleaning the negative before puts on the scanner. I like my Epson V350 because they have film auto loading system so you nead only to put the film near the auto load aperture and the scanner pull the film inside so no more dust gets in the film when they are inside scanner. If you clean well before puts inside scanner dust can no be big problem. I hope my response helps. Â Best, Â Rui Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share #3  Posted June 11, 2007 Thank you for your advice  Stefan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted June 12, 2007 Share #4 Â Posted June 12, 2007 Use a dustcover on the scanner and have it serviced (ie cleaned) reguarly. It's not only the negative that gets dirty, but also the scanning lenses and lightbulbs. I have an Imacon and it made a huge difference after getting it cleaned. The Hasselblad tech said I should wipe down the lightbulb myself occasionally. I know big difference between Imacon and Epson flatbed, but I think this advice should apply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted June 13, 2007 Share #5 Â Posted June 13, 2007 I find dust a real problem at times and I have yet to scan any negative or slide that didn't have some dust particle on it. I'm using a Epson V750 flatbed scanner. I try to blow off the bed and then the film in the holder far away from the scanner as possible. I also try to kept the area around the scanner and table I use to place the film in the holders as dust free as possible. I usually vacume that area 2-3 times a week when I know I'll be scanning something. Â Good filters in your heating and AC system are also a good idea to minimize the dust particles in the air. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boilerdoc Posted June 13, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted June 13, 2007 Get a dedicated scanner with built in digital ICE (Nikon Coolscan). you can use ICE on most films. Dial in some sharpening to offset the softening that ICE causes. Flatbeds are dust magnets. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share #7 Â Posted June 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks a lot for your advice. I guess I should get a film scanner rather for their better dust suppression, store everything covered, and clean scanner and film using microfibre before use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicapages Posted June 17, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted June 17, 2007 Your best bet is to use a Nikon slidescanner with ICE (automatic dust/scratches removal) of the latest generation, such as the LS-V and LS-5000. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted June 18, 2007 Share #9 Â Posted June 18, 2007 Many times I get lazy but nothing can beat old school film dusting especialy on grayscale B&W. Â Very simple, Static brush, eye loupe ( I use Peak Anastigmat 4x ) and light box. Â Best, Â -Ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjago Posted June 18, 2007 Share #10  Posted June 18, 2007 Many times I get lazy but nothing can beat old school film dusting especialy on grayscale B&W. Very simple, Static brush, eye loupe ( I use Peak Anastigmat 4x ) and light box.  Best,  -Ron  Or, as a modern update to this, use one of the static brushes sold for cleaning digital sensors. Their specific property is that they are very easy to recharge, and most types are sold guaranteed clean.  I'm using one of the Arctic Butterfly models and am disappointed if I have to do any spotting on a scanned neg. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted June 18, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted June 18, 2007 Sefan, unfortunately you have to be anal when scanning negs. No longer can you handle negs like in the days of the enlarger. Chances are when you have a dust problem with scanning it will occur as, or after you load the neg into the neg carrier, and also from motes that stick as the carrier backs in and out loading itself into the scanner, and which also carrys the crap inside. Most home scanners are absolute trash when it comes to this. I have a minolta 5400II and the neg carrier spends half its life outside the scanner case as it backs in and out to the frame being scanned. If you have a clean neg then great, but have a careful look and blow it down after you load the neg into the carrier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted June 19, 2007 Share #12  Posted June 19, 2007 No longer can you handle negs like in the days of the enlarger. Chances are when you have a dust problem with scanning it will occur as, or after you load the neg into the neg carrier  Rob, You have a point about enlargers vs. scanners with dust. Most if not all darkrooms are in a controlled environment. They don't have windows and airconditioning are hepa-filtered. While scanners sit's in a bedroom or studyroom with windows and next to a dust collecting monitor or LCD. Tube Monitor will be worst. Maybe an added Industrial Ionizer Fan to reduce static making the dust heavy and fall instead of flying around. My area of Southen California is terrible for static.  Or, as a modern update to this, use one of the static brushes sold for cleaning digital sensors. Their specific property is that they are very easy to recharge, and most types are sold guaranteed clean.  Colin, That was a neat idea using a static sensor brush to dust films on top of a light box. I'll go out and buy one over the weekend. Same her I hate spot healing dust on PS. I turn out to spend more time spot healing the dust out in turn adding scar marks on the image from spot healing. Brush dusting is not 100% but it makes a difference if I only have to spot heal 5 or 10 dust marks instead of 30 to 50 left over from compressed air.  Best -Ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pemayeux Posted June 20, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted June 20, 2007 Has anyone had occassion to clean inside a the Minolta 5400? I clean my film whenever I start the process but the scans are coming out with more and more dust. I'm convinced the inside of the thing must be filthy. I don't use ICE because I am either scanning Kodachrome or B&W film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_peter_m Posted June 22, 2007 Share #14 Â Posted June 22, 2007 Hi Paul, Â Not sure if this will be any help but I found a page a wile back that shows how to clean the Nikon 5000ED How to Clean a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 ED Â Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pemayeux Posted June 22, 2007 Share #15 Â Posted June 22, 2007 thank you Peter. This is very helpful. I have a feeling a dirty mirror is what is wrong with my scanner. I'll learn to start keeping it covered. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted June 22, 2007 Share #16 Â Posted June 22, 2007 I still find it amusing that stuff like this is designed witout thought to what should be routine maintenance. Cretins and idiots locked up in their own little sterile design worlds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_peter_m Posted June 22, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted June 22, 2007 You are welcome Paul. Â Rob, Â You would think the designers would design a scanner for easy maintenance, since there is mirrors, lenses and sensors in there they will need cleaning sooner or later. Â Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted June 23, 2007 Share #18 Â Posted June 23, 2007 Yes, or lock up some parts in a sealed unit, and have a closed environment that you can wipe out for the neg carrier. I have hardwood floors and no carpets and dust tends to rise. The 5400II tracks in and out during prescan and then backs and files out of the scanner body when scanning the neg frame. When doing a strip it is possible to start clean and have something creep in during the scan process. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_peter_m Posted June 23, 2007 Share #19  Posted June 23, 2007 I think I would prefer to have them more maintenance friendlier, if things are sealed chances are they be a real b... to get into if you have to. I think the Imacon scanners are more maintenance friendly.... but they are sure not all that kind to your wallet  Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted June 28, 2007 Share #20 Â Posted June 28, 2007 Get clean negs to start with from the darkroom. That`s air and water filters. Clean glass bottles, not reusing chemicals. Â Then keep the scanner covered. scan in a dust free room. Keep the carriers dust free and dust the film before putting it in the scanner. I have double doors home made that cover the entrance to the scanner. Â I never use ICE or any other tricks. Clean is the answer. Â I just did 25 scans at max resolution on my KM 5400 my son had developed at Walmart. Film was dead flat right from the envelope. What a suprise. There were Two small spots on one pic and they were all 16x24 size with sharp grain right into the corners. I could clone these in 15 sec. 4 rolls from Formula 1 at Indianapolis at week. No ICE or other tricks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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