Scanning Negatives

[sdctlc 0]

OK, any advice or sugggestins on this? What scanner works best tricks on it ect. I have a bunch of negatives and I would like to just scan the ones I like and not have to take them to the shop to get them to due what looks to be something that I can do at home.

I can pick up a HP scanner with the negative holder but before I go buy one I was curious if anybody is doing that and if so what the results are like....

Thanks,
Scott C.

"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!"

[larsrulz 0]

A transparency adapter with a flatbed scanner is your best bet for scanning negatives. The specific negative scanners are a waste of money at best.

I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF

[sdctlc 0]

I was thinking of a flatbed scanner that has the film negative adaptor. You can pick them up for from 40 to 100 depending on the unit. I was looking at the following but really was curious if somebody had used one to do this....

Example

"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!"

[HSPScott 0]

I am borrowing a buddies Nikon scanner. Is is speciffically for film and slides. If you want quality, you're gonna have spend some cash, or know a friend that has a good scanner. Not sure of the model, but it is really clear on the scans.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

A transparency adapter with a flatbed scanner is your best bet for scanning negatives. The specific negative scanners are a waste of money at best.

How do you figure? You're sacrificing quality for convenience - poorer lighting, focus, and no ICE options. The results may be acceptable for some use, but if he wants these images for the longer haul, why not do it right?

Wouldn't buy one, though. I've barely used my Nikon in the past couple years as I went digital 4 years back. Now I only occasionally come across film.

[Fuzzy 0]

I picked up the Nikon Cool Scan IV which had the Ice software. It had been mentioned on hear a "while" back.

While it is just for negatives and slides, it was far from a waste of money. My wife scanned over 1500 slides for one project alone, and I continually scan my old negatives with no problems.

Also the Ice software saved many hours of touch up work. Not sure if that sort of thing is old technology or not now though.

Probably depends on what sort of scanning volume you have.

Fuzzy
Ambition / Ability: Know the difference.

[videointhesky 0]

Scott

PrimeFilm 35mm Film & Slide Scanner 1800U
Adobe Photoshop Album 1.0 Software for Windows included. This may work for you.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10016148&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=20553&hierPath=79*20553*

[psw097 0]

I have both a flatbed w/adapter and film/slide scanner - the flatbed is crap compared to the film scanner. I just finished scanning a roll of Velvia, looks great out of the film scanner and something like 13 megapixel. Personally, I think if I shoot raw with my DSLR its pretty close but using JPG quality - the film scanner is much better.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Also the Ice software saved many hours of touch up work. Not sure if that sort of thing is old technology or not now though.

Is actually hardware - scans with infrared red. It's become more readily available on cheaper models now. Definitely useful with more abused/old sources.

[Fuzzy 0]

Thanks - deep down I think, or should have known that but for some reason thought it was a built in software thing too

Just for fun I've scanned the same negative with and without using the Ice feature - Big Difference as far as the spots and other imperfections on the negs & slides go.

Someone tried to explain how it works, and that if I wanted a really sharp scan, not to use Ice but to do the work in Photoshop. I couldn't see any difference in sharpness of the scan, only in the scratches & spots etc, but I'm not a professional & only enlarged the prints to 11 x 8-1/2 so..... Do you know if that's really the case? (in regards to the scanner part not the professional part)

Regardless, some of my neg's are not in the "greatest" shape so it's saved/saving endless work.

Fuzzy
Ambition / Ability: Know the difference.

[kelpdiver 2]

It would make sense since ICE needs to do some sort of differential between the infrared scan and the color. The SW I use - Vuescan - allows for 3 levels of correction. At higher levels there has to be a price. If it was a single scratch, I think I'd go the other way and just fix it later.