wes loder
Photographer/Historian
Shot a roll of Fujichrome with my Super Ikonta A. The results are impressive. Far better than I thought an 80-year-old camera with an uncoated lens could do.
But I am not sure how to scan to digital. I do not have a flat-bed scanner. Suggestions?
WES
But I am not sure how to scan to digital. I do not have a flat-bed scanner. Suggestions?
WES
Steve M.
Veteran
A lot of people who don't know much about photography will tell you all about the latest and greatest computer designed, multi coated modern lenses, but you really can't beat an old uncoated MF lens in my book, both for colour and B&W. Around my place, the older the lens, the better the photos. The IQ is just so much better on the old lenses. I could show you photos from a Voigtlander Brilliant I once owned w/ an uncoated Heliar lens that blew a Hasselblad out of the water for 3-D imaging and overall better IQ. Never should have sold that camera.
You could come up w/ a lot of work arounds (photograph the slide w/ a DSLR on a light box for instance), but the cheapest and best way to go for great results is to look for an old Epson 2450 flatbed scanner. They were state of tha art technology in their day, and still make really, really good scans w/ 120 film. I used mine w/ 35mm even and got wonderful results. You don't need any fancy film holders or software either, just lay the slide on the bed and use the Epson scanning software. These things go for $25-$40 here in the US.
You can scan negs up to 4x5, and large prints too. The only caveat is that you may have to have Windows XP or something similar installed to make use of the software. I am not 100% sure the later operating systems are compatible. You could always buy a cheap PC just for scanning, or use the XP on a dual drive HD. You have a classic camera w/ a good lens and you're shooting 120 film, may as well get some high quality results.
You could come up w/ a lot of work arounds (photograph the slide w/ a DSLR on a light box for instance), but the cheapest and best way to go for great results is to look for an old Epson 2450 flatbed scanner. They were state of tha art technology in their day, and still make really, really good scans w/ 120 film. I used mine w/ 35mm even and got wonderful results. You don't need any fancy film holders or software either, just lay the slide on the bed and use the Epson scanning software. These things go for $25-$40 here in the US.
You can scan negs up to 4x5, and large prints too. The only caveat is that you may have to have Windows XP or something similar installed to make use of the software. I am not 100% sure the later operating systems are compatible. You could always buy a cheap PC just for scanning, or use the XP on a dual drive HD. You have a classic camera w/ a good lens and you're shooting 120 film, may as well get some high quality results.
citizen99
Well-known
If you wanted to go the way of getting an old, cheap, flatbed (I'm assuming it would be one with a USB interface, unlike some really old ones), there are ways of running its old software (typically XP-era) on a more modern system.
If you've got Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate (don't know about the situation with 8.1 or 10) you can run XP software in 'emulation' mode (right-click on the *.exe file(s) for options).
Otherwise, on any OS that will run VirtualBox, you could install an XP system as a virtual machine, and then install an XP-era scanner s/w in that. Works for me with my Canoscan 8800F flatbed.
If you've got Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate (don't know about the situation with 8.1 or 10) you can run XP software in 'emulation' mode (right-click on the *.exe file(s) for options).
Otherwise, on any OS that will run VirtualBox, you could install an XP system as a virtual machine, and then install an XP-era scanner s/w in that. Works for me with my Canoscan 8800F flatbed.
mike rosenlof
Insufficient information
I bought a new-old-stock Epson 1680 scanner off the bay a year ago and use it for 120 through 8x10. I hesitate to call it great, but it's pretty good. I use it mostly for my "proof sheets" as I'm still printing in the darkroom as my prefered output.
You'll probably need to use VueScan or some virtualization if you want to use the original epson software with it, but VueScan is my choice.
You'll probably need to use VueScan or some virtualization if you want to use the original epson software with it, but VueScan is my choice.
edge100
Well-known
http://www.mfphotography.ca/michael...-guide-to-scanning-film-with-a-digital-camera
No better way to do it for <$10k
No better way to do it for <$10k
Spanik
Well-known
Thanks for that link, very interesting.
wjlapier
Well-known
I use an Espon V500 with the stock insert and it works fine for me. Prints ( sent to Walmart ) came out great. Vuescan with standard auto settings. I'm on a Mac too.
charjohncarter
Veteran
When you scan make sure that the histogram has space on the white and black end. Then in post you can adjust with levels. If you don't have all the information it won't look right.
EVIL_Guy
Established
Use a V550 Epson for my 120s; works great!