Scanning film

[lesdmess]

In the thread Converting slides to digital., Dave asked "How long does it take to scan a 35mm slide at 5000 x 3400 pixels?"
I didn't see a response to this question and I am not sure if he got one. With my Nikon Coolscan 5000 and my PC setup, it takes about 30 seconds with no ICE - about 50 seconds with ICE.

You can see test results from other scanners at -> Scan Dig Film scanner test-reports.

The scanned images below are highly compressed JPEGs and if you view at greater than 100% on-screen you will start to see JPEG artifacting - squarish patterns, that are generated by the software and not on the original scan.

A full res 4000dpi example straight out of the scan with no pre or post adjustments made from Fuji Sensia 100 lookes like this.


Link to full res 4MB file -> Fuji Sensia 100.


Here are a couple of examples of just how good is Nikon Coolscan's ICE using a couple of badly scratched and dusty frames of chrome and negative film compared to "scanning" using a DSLR which of course does not have ICE.

This one is of a 60's Kodachrome.


Link to full res 2MB file -> Kodachrome D800-Coolscan.

This one is a Kodak 160VC negative. Of course, "scanning" a negative with a DSLR requires a lot of post work to convert it to a positive image. My post work to get a positive image may not be optimal compared to the Coolscan image.


Link to full res 2MB file -> Kodak 160VC-06-36 K20D vs 9K ICE.

[lesdmess]

How many still use film and how do you scan your film?

DO you use a minilab that use a Noritsu, Frontier or Agfa scanner?

If you use a lab that uses a Noritsu, this might be helpful if the lab operator is willing to work with you as the one in my Costco did.
I had been using a Costco as they processed and scanned a roll of film for under $5. However, they only gave me small 2MB JPEG files - 1800 X 1200 pixel. However, I noticed they offered 12" X 18" prints that looked reasonably good so I asked how they did this with film. It turns out that for these huge prints, they "set the channel" for 12" X 18" so I asked if they can do this but send the results to CD instead of "scan to CD". When they did this, it resulted in 19MB JPEG files - 7000 X 4700 pixel files. Of course when I go back to the same Costco, another operator would be there who wouldn't know anything about this so I would have to educate them if they are also willing to work with me.

[Deleted]

I have a PrimeFilm 3650u that I use for scanning some 35mm (got it on Ebay for $20) and also have a CanoScan 9950f flatbed that can scan film up to 8x10. It can also gang scan more than a dozen 35mm negs or slides without human assistance I have my dad's negative collection in sizes up to 4x5 dating from the 1920s to the 1970s so the 9950f works well. Biggest problem is finding drivers for the current Windows OS. The biggest problem is that you can't use programs like ICE to remove dust spots from black and white silver negatives. Only on color negs or non silver B&W film like Kodak BW400CN. I haven't shot any film in several years but I have several thousand negs and slides dating back a half century or more that need scanning.
W.

[lesdmess]

Wayne, I was helping a colleague scan some of his dad's film who was a combat photog stationed in Italy during WWII. This is an image I scanned for him at 2400dpi of a Kodak b&w 4X5 that he said was ok for me to share. As you said no ICE can be used so fortunately it wasn't too dirty.

Full res -> Epson V700 2400dpi 4X5.

He told me he has quite a few frames to scan and trying to find a suitable way to scan them all.

Have you worked through your backlog?

[lesdmess]

Mar 15, 2015 20:34:27 GMT -5 @wayne said:

I have a PrimeFilm 3650u that I use for scanning some 35mm (got it on Ebay for $20) and also have a CanoScan 9950f flatbed that can scan film up to 8x10. It can also gang scan more than a dozen 35mm negs or slides without human assistance I have my dad's negative collection in sizes up to 4x5 dating from the 1920s to the 1970s so the 9950f works well. Biggest problem is finding drivers for the current Windows OS. The biggest problem is that you can't use programs like ICE to remove dust spots from black and white silver negatives. Only on color negs or non silver B&W film like Kodak BW400CN. I haven't shot any film in several years but I have several thousand negs and slides dating back a half century or more that need scanning.
W.

Are you sure that the 9950f had an 8X10 film scanning area as the specs list only 4X5 -> CanoScan 9950F specs? If so that would be great as it generally sells cheaper than the Epsons with 8X10 film scanning areas.

The Epson V700/750 can come in handy for doing contact sheets of 35mm film while in a film holder. First one below is of Fuji Astia 100 slide film in a film holder. Second one is of Kodak 400UC not in a film holder. I tried to bunch them up to get more of them within the area. Kinda handy and quick to scan.

[Deleted]

4x5 is the largest film holder included. I don't have any film larger than 4x5. But it appears that it could handle larger film. The film holder for ganged negatives cover an are about 8x10 so it seems to me it ought to be able to use that entire area for one large negative. I've never tried it, however.

W.

[lesdmess]

Wayne, I see that for the Canoscan 9950f "Max. Film Size" lists a 35mm x 30 frames (negatives) holder - as well as 35mm x 12 frames (mounted slides); Film strip (120 roll film) and 4" x 5" film. I suppose that just like the Epson V7XX, there is no 8X10 film holder as it is just laid on the glass.

BTW, are you planning to scan your film or do you do it on an as needed basis only?

Myself, I have pretty much scanned all my film. In fact, I have even had to scan some of the same film once or twice as I was trying out various scanners looking for the right one. I also have tried others since just to see the results from others such as other desktop scanners and minilabs.