scanning slide film vs negative film

[msbarnes]

I'm not sure if it is my technique but is scanning slide film more difficult than negative/c41? When I look at my slides they seem well exposed (sufficient detail in the shadows) but when i scan them, they seem underexposed (insufficient details in the shadows). Is this normal?

Well I know that slide film has less lattitude (esp. in shadows) so maybe it is just that I have even more detail in the shadows with b&w but I don't lose enough to bother me..

I'm using an Epson V750 (school) and an Epson 4990 (home), so flatbeds. If I were to get a dedicated scanner (nikon/plustek) then would I typically expect more detail with my slides? I mean a dedicated should be sharper and higher resolutioin but I'm not sure if this will solve my underexposure issue.

I'm not a big slide shooter so this isn't a big deal, I'm just trying to feed my curiosity.

 

[scottyb70]

yes c-41 will give you a better scan but I still prefer the look of slide film. If you like slide Provia scans really nice.

 

[Jamie123]

I'm not sure if it is my technique but is scanning slide film more difficult than negative/c41? When I look at my slides they seem well exposed (sufficient detail in the shadows) but when i scan them, they seem underexposed (insufficient details in the shadows). Is this normal?

Well I know that slide film has less lattitude (esp. in shadows) so maybe it is just that I have even more detail in the shadows with b&w but I don't lose enough to bother me..

I'm using an Epson V750 (school) and an Epson 4990 (home), so flatbeds. If I were to get a dedicated scanner (nikon/plustek) then would I typically expect more detail with my slides? I mean a dedicated should be sharper and higher resolutioin but I'm not sure if this will solve my underexposure issue.

I'm not a big slide shooter so this isn't a big deal, I'm just trying to feed my curiosity.

The problem with scanning slides on the flatbeds is that the light source is often not quite strong enough to cut through the density of a well exposed slides with shadow areas. Yes, with a dedicated scanner such as the Nikon you could expect better results as they have an adjustable light source so you can dial it up for slides with a lot of shadow area.

 

[joeswe]

I'm not sure if it is my technique but is scanning slide film more difficult than negative/c41? When I look at my slides they seem well exposed (sufficient detail in the shadows) but when i scan them, they seem underexposed (insufficient details in the shadows). Is this normal?

Well I know that slide film has less lattitude (esp. in shadows) so maybe it is just that I have even more detail in the shadows with b&w but I don't lose enough to bother me..

I'm using an Epson V750 (school) and an Epson 4990 (home), so flatbeds. If I were to get a dedicated scanner (nikon/plustek) then would I typically expect more detail with my slides? I mean a dedicated should be sharper and higher resolutioin but I'm not sure if this will solve my underexposure issue.

I'm not a big slide shooter so this isn't a big deal, I'm just trying to feed my curiosity.

The amount of shadow detail you can capture depends mostly on the dynamic range of your scanner. This is usually one of the weak points of the flatbed scanners. So, yes, a dedicated film scanner will give more shadow detail. And a drum scanner is even better in that respect. The differences are easily noticeable, also between cheaper and more expensive film scanners. A workaround to "emulate" better dynamic range is multi exposure or multi sampling. If your scanner and software support either of those you might give it a try.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The amount of shadow detail you can capture depends mostly on the dynamic range of your scanner. This is usually one of the weak points of the flatbed scanners. So, yes, a dedicated film scanner will give more shadow detail. And a drum scanner is even better in that respect. The differences are easily noticeable, also between cheaper and more expensive film scanners. A workaround to "emulate" better dynamic range is multi exposure or multi sampling. If your scanner and software support either of those you might give it a try.

Agreed. I get good shadow detail from slides in my Nikon scanner.

 

[msbarnes]

Gotcha, thanks!

Nikons and plusteks...I have to look into those.

 

[Jamie123]

Gotcha, thanks!

Nikons and plusteks...I have to look into those.

Not really. If you're not that crazy about shooting slides anyways, just stick to C-41. It's cheaper than getting another scanner and it'll make your life much easier.

 

[philipus]

I guess it depends on one's budget and needs. I was basically brought up on Velvia 50 and while I shoot it less these days because it costs so much and is difficult to develop I do sometimes shoot slides because of the look. But C41 is of course easier both to develop and scan.

The cheaper Nikons these days are a little bit older and likely not serviceable (unless I'm totally mistaken the 9000 is the only one still serviced by Nikon; happy to be corrected however).

But, that said, if one does have the money for it an LS-40 or the more modern LS-50 (aka V ED) are capable (the latter very capable). I don't know which dealers in the US sell used scanners but here in Europe Ffordes tends to have a good stock.

Cheers
Philip