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Thoughts on Scanning BW film v traditional printing
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Just thinking what are peoples thoughts scanning BW on negs rather that traditional printing. Just thinking it would be a whole lot easier but at what sacrifice
Thanks
Marc
I scan BW negs on a fairly basic scanner Epson 4490 and get excellent results on 120 and 5×4 but quite poor from 35mm. I would say that for 35mm you would need a dedicated film scanner, ie a drum scanner which are quite expensive.
Scanning film is the way to go as the results can be processed in photoshop which is no sacrifice and has huge benefits. Printing on a good printer for B&W (Epson 3800 or better) gives results to my mind as good as the best darkroom.
I don’t know what format you are using, personally I wouldn’t touch 35mm b&w. If I am going to go to the trouble of getting out the chemicals it will be for medium format or bigger.
I use a Canon 1Ds II which still cannot compete with scans of 5×4 for tonal range and detail.Pete
I darkroom print and scan my negs on an Epson V700.
I find darkroom prints to look better than any negs I have scanned and printed…Agree about the comments about 35mm negs scanned, you need a dedicated scanner. You will get away with 120 film with a flatbed but you really need a dedicated 120 film scanner I think if you plan to print from neg scans and get good quality prints. No experience of scanning 5×4 so cant help there…
M
Martin wrote:
I darkroom print and scan my negs on an Epson V700.
I find darkroom prints to look better than any negs I have scanned and printed…Agree about the comments about 35mm negs scanned, you need a dedicated scanner. You will get away with 120 film with a flatbed but you really need a dedicated 120 film scanner I think if you plan to print from neg scans and get good quality prints. No experience of scanning 5×4 so cant help there…
M
:roll:
I hope I am not out of the topic here now, but do you have any ideas how to prevent dust getting onto my negs and scanner. I use Epson V700 It is very very annoying !
Irmantas wrote:
I hope I am not out of the topic here now, but do you have any ideas how to prevent dust getting onto my negs and scanner. I use Epson V700 It is very very annoying !
Best way and I am not being smart is to not let dust get on them in the first place. When the scanner is not in use put something over it… Dry your negs properly (no hairdryers or clothes lines :-) ) and only handle them with white cotton gloves.
Before putting your film into the film holder in the scanner lightly clean them with clean white cotton gloves on. On the scanner glass use an anti-static cleaning cloth….
There is always going to be a small amount of dust though but you should be able to minimise it to a few spots…
Best of luck
M
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