Martin B Posted November 22, 2016 Share #21 Posted November 22, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 22, 2016 Posted November 22, 2016 Hi Martin B, Take a look here Scanning: Emulsion Up or Down. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted November 22, 2016 Share #22 Posted November 22, 2016 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted November 22, 2016 Share #23 Posted November 22, 2016 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 23, 2016 Share #24 Posted November 23, 2016 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 23, 2016 Share #25 Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) 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 Edited November 23, 2016 by Jeff S Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted November 23, 2016 Share #26 Posted November 23, 2016 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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