Scanning film, how to start?

[gylee]

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I just purchased a completely new system, predominantly with the view of doing more with my photographs, both film and digital. I went for a new 24" iMac, CS3 as well as a Nikon Coolscan V. Have not even opened the box of the scanner yet.

 

Any tips on how to get started. I am not inclined to instal the Nikon software if there is a better option.

 

I will be scanning mostly the following:

 

Kodak 400CN

Fuji 160S

Delta 100

 

There might also be the occasional roll of slide film, and perhaps some Tri-X.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

G.

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[el.nino]

the nikon software isn't bad at all. i use it very often - especially for scanning slides or batch scanning. but you might consider buying silverfast ME. for b&w this is the better option in my opinion.

[jacksparrow]

When scaning C41 use the digital ICE, but be careful with B&W flm because it's not compatible with it. and all you'll get s a bunch of black spots.

[norbertnl]

24'' iMac + CS3 + Coolscan V: congratulations, obviously you treated yourself to some awesome equipment! I would suggest to invest a few % of the equipment cost in education: intensive hybrid workshop, private instructor for the digital workflow, or whatever will fit your work agenda best. Back in the analog days I did it a couple of times - never regretted it.

Best regards,

Norbert

[Michael-IIIf]

I went for a new 24" iMac, CS3 as well as a Nikon Coolscan V. .

 

Good choices.

 

I would recommend buying additional scan software Vuescan from VueScan Scanning Software as it has many advantages:-

(1) It is excellent.

(2) Works with any scanner - so it will also work with any flatbed you happen to have. Meaning you only have one package of software to get to grips with.

(3) Although the modest cost is obviously more expensive than the free stuff that came with your scanner the license does give you free upgrades for life. Very handy.

 

If you have not used PhotoShop before it can be intimidating. You should subscribe to the podcasts (on iTunes on your new Mac) from the PhotoShop Guys. Like me, you won't understand everything they demonstrate but over time you will be surprised at how much you will absorb.

 

Looking forward to seeing the results.

Michael

[Guest tummydoc]

Have not even opened the box of the scanner yet.

 

Any tips on how to get started.

 

Box-cutter

 

 

On a serious note, when you use Vuescan for the Delta (or any silver-halide b&w negatives) try setting it to colour transparency, and then invert to a positive image in Photoshop. I'm not sure why this works better, but it does. Twas one of those rare instances where I took something I read on the internet at face value and tried it (after all, there was no risk). I know that built-in dust-removal does not function on silver b&w negatives, but I'm not sure if that's the case when the software tells the scanner you're scanning a colour positive. I haven't scanned film in a good while. I do know that if the dust-removal doesn't operate, you'll quickly get to be best mates with the Clone Tool

 

Another tip for Vuescan that works with some scanners (I have a Minolta 5400 and an Epson V750 and it works with those) is you can set the scanner to make multiple passes and automatically composite them, which pulls more detail out of the shadows. I believe there's diminishing returns after about 4 passes. There's also a way to make 2 passes at different exposures, to expand the d-Max, but IIRC that involves manually compositing them yourself. Never tried it, always meant to.

[Frank Sprow]

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After having gone down that road twice, my recommendation is NOT to start down it. Very time consuming, mechanical failures and so-so results are the norm. Take your best images to a good lab and get high res scans, then devote your "darkroom" time to post-processing.