Scanning: Emulsion Up or Down

[Martin B]

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Very interesting points made especially recently by CrazyIvan865. I can confirm some of the observations mentioned therein also regarding difference between scanned negative and silver gelatin print. I am glad that this post supports some of my own observations with which I had a hard time believing myself. Grain appears much more visible on digitized negatives whereas it is much less visible in wet prints of the same negative even at 11x14" print size.

 

I gave up on using a scanner to digitize my 35 mm negatives. I am using the photography method mentioned earlier here. As light source I find a letter-size LED light table ideal which has very homogeneous light from center to corner. I use my tripod with attached camera and macro lens on top and making sure that the senor is fully parallel to the table. f/11 ensures sharpness over slight unevenness of the negative in its plastic holder. A high MP full frame sensor is advantageous to get an excellent resolution, too. This method is also faster than digitizing negatives with a flatbed scanner at higher dpi resolution.

 

I am always digitizing with negative emulsion side DOWN (meaning the light source goes through the emulsion side first). Reason for this was originally that I was afraid that the shiny negative side could potentially cause unwanted reflections if laid onto the light table. Not sure if this is true, I never tried it this way since my photos of the negatives in B&W and in color just turn out fine with emulsion down.

[Jeff S]

 I always scan emulsion down but rarely see any difference if I scan the other way around.

 

 

If you "always" scan one way, then the occasions when you do the opposite must be rare indeed.  

 

Jeff

[philipus]

Good point Jeff. That sentence could have benefited from more clarity. Oh well.

 

If you "always" scan one way, then the occasions when you do the opposite must be rare indeed.  

 

Jeff

[Michael Hiles]

My scanner manual says emulsion side up. I have tried both and it seems to me that emulsion down is VERY slightly better, But it is marginal if it really exists.

[Jeff S]

Good point Jeff. That sentence could have benefited from more clarity. Oh well.

 

I was only joking around.....should have added a smiley.  Oh well.

 

Jeff

[edwardkaraa]

Most scanners recommend to have the film base side facing the sensor, but like almost everyone on this thread, I found out that having the emulsion side face the scanner produce sharper results. The results are very subtle, as is the difference between a 100$ lens and a 5000$ lens