Medium Format processing advice.

SCOTFORTHLAD

SCOTFORTHLAD

Slow learner,but keen!
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Jan 20, 2006
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I have a Rolleicord on the way,(previously had a Seagull TLR,and later on a Yashicamat),and I would like to get involved as much as possible in b/w. processing/printing.I have no qualms about the developing stages,as I have processed my own E6 film for several years.Are there any scanners of at the lower end of the market which would give reasonable,fun rather than pro., results with medium format negs.

If anyone has any recommendations I would be grateful for any pointers.

Thanks,
Brian.
 
The new Epson V700 flatbed with 6400 dpi and dmax of 4 would be fun, and the price of around 500 buck seem resonable to me, it's on my wish list.

Todd
 
The epson stylus photo rx-500 isn't made for it, but you can place a piece of clip-frame glass over the negs and it will scan fine. That's a printer/scanner/cardreader though - its what I use.
 
Being a confirmed cheapskate,and having paid only 35gbp for my Microtec flatbed scanner,which only does prints and documents,I suppose that I would be looking for something second hand,with a budget of about 75 quid.Probably that is a non-starter.:(
 
Check epson's website for any clearance items on the scanners, such as the 3170, 4870, 4490, or 4990. All decent from what I've read.
 
You know, I never remember this. What is a quid again? I got Euros and pounds. And Dirhams in Morocco. Otherwise I'm yet another ignorant american.

allan
 
jano said:
Check epson's website for any clearance items on the scanners, such as the 3170, 4870, 4490, or 4990. All decent from what I've read.
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I use the Epson 3170 which scans transparencies as well as documents. It's a flat bed scanner with negative holder for 35mm, mounted 35m slides and medium format negs. It will give you acceptable results for what you're looking for - I use it to preview my negs before printing traditionally. The middle price range for this scanner on Ebay is about half of what you said you want to spend.

Peter
 
Ariya said:
I use the Epson 3170 which scans transparencies as well as documents. It's a flat bed scanner with negative holder for 35mm, mounted 35m slides and medium format negs. It will give you acceptable results for what you're looking for - I use it to preview my negs before printing traditionally. The middle price range for this scanner on Ebay is about half of what you said you want to spend.

Peter
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Thanks Peter,that's a great help.I will check that out,perhaps I will get a result.

Thanks also to everyone else for the kind advice.

Cheers,:)
Brian.
 
I've just found that my Microtec 3800 scanner literature included reference to a 35mm negative holder as an accesory,so it seems to have some film scanning capability.So I may try to use with my first med.format negs,using Ash's tip of placing the neg under a piece of thin glass to scan.

I intend to use 400asa film,probably HP5+,or Neopan.Has anyone got any suggestions of the most suitable developer,at this stage I'm just hoping for a good image,my eye isn't experienced enough for the 'finer points'.(My previous b.w. processing was with 35mm FP4+ and Ilfosol).

Cheers,:)
Brian.
 
Has your scanner got a light source in the lid? That might be part of the optional accessories, and is essential.

For developer, why not start with Ilford's DD-X? I'm at the same stage as you regarding medium format (up to about my 5th roll!) HP5+ in DD-X has been good so far.
 
Thanks Chris,
I have no light source in the lid of my scanner,I think it's time that I familiarised myself with the subject a little more---time for some research.
Thanks also for the tip on DD-X,I am not familiar with that either,so ditto.

Good on you,:)

Brian.
 
Sorry if I was speaking in tongues!

DD-X is an Ilford developer, made by the same people who make the HP5+ film. They go together very nicely!

HP5+ is a popular 400asa B&W film with medium grain and reasonably fine resolution. I find it scans nicely too.

Have a look at the Ilford website for starters: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/home.asp. You can download spec sheets for various films and developers, which gives the processing times, procedure etc. With your experience processing E6, B&W won't present you with too many challenges!

For scanning medium format,I use an Epson 4490, which came with the necessary light source built-into the lid, and some quite reasonable scanning software that I find is easy to use. I gather these sell for a reasonable price in some markets; not sure about south Wales!
 
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Many thanks Chris,I'll follow up on these.I'm grateful because as you will have guessed my film scanning knowledge is mimimal.As for the processing,I should be ok,as long as I can keep dust off the negs..:(

How are things Downunder,if you are a cricket follower,I'm pretty sure that you'll get the Ashes back this comng Winter!

Thanks again,:)

Brian.
 
We have hopes for the Ashes. We need to recover some pride - at the moment the Kiwis are giving us a caning in the rugby!
 
ChrisN said:
We have hopes for the Ashes. We need to recover some pride - at the moment the Kiwis are giving us a caning in the rugby!
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We certainly know how that feels here in Wales!!:mad:
Brian.
 
Ariya said:
I use the Epson 3170 which scans transparencies as well as documents. It's a flat bed scanner with negative holder for 35mm, mounted 35m slides and medium format negs. It will give you acceptable results for what you're looking for - I use it to preview my negs before printing traditionally. The middle price range for this scanner on Ebay is about half of what you said you want to spend.

Peter
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The flatbed scanner-- Epson Perfection 3490 is readily available in UK.for about 60pounds,it handles 35mm negs and slides as standard.Would it be possible with this model, to scan med.format negs using the method previously mentioned by Ash,where he places a piece of thin glass over the neg to hold it in place while scanning.

Cheers,
Brian
 
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