Epson V700 Scanning Question: trouble with frame lines

[robklurfield]

When I scan negatives that exposed to one extreme or another, whether intentionally or not, I have trouble getting the scanner to "see" the frame lines properly. In other words, if I have a negative, for example, that is highly under-exposed, I have difficulty getting a full frame or sometimes any frame to scan. I'm scanning some old 35mm Pan-X rolls right now. Some were shot in extreme light conditions where only the center of the frame has any well lit image, rather intentionally. The scanner seems only to "read" the well lit portions of the frame, cropping everything else out, resulting in a frame that looks as if it came out of a panoramic camera. Other times, it fails to register anything certain frames, while in other cases it splits images in the wrong place -- half a frame saved as one image/spliced with half a frame from the adjacent shot. I've had similar things happen in 6X6. I'm using Epson's included software.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to fix this. I'll try to post some examples when the current roll is done scanning.

This is a little hard to articulate in words and probably much easier to understand by seeing it.

 

[robklurfield]

here's an example. the first image is scanned from a contact sheet as reflective original. the second is scanned from a 35mm pan-x negative.

Obviously the continuous black tone is what's throwing things off. The scanner can't see the frame lines. I can certainly appreciate why the V700 has trouble with this image. the question is what can I do to overcome this? any help will be greatly appreciated. especially if it DOESN'T involved getting an additional software right now.

my workflow is pretty simple and pared down. I scan using Epson's software (16-bit gray scale). I copy the scans right into Aperture.

 

[f16sunshine]

Rob
You can use the marque tool to outline the scan area. I've been going through similar issues with some holga shots I'm scanning.

 

[robklurfield]

Andy, that would work if the scan was picking up too much image, but here, it is cutting off some the information.

Are you using a marquee tool in Epson's software or in some other software (photoshop)?

 

[Keith]

You can create your own scanning frames after you do the preview ... I never let the scanner create them. Just create a 24 x 36mm frame over the bottom left negative then duplicete it to the next negative and so on working your way through the lot. It only takes a few minutes and they will be there next time you use the scanner.

That thumbnail setting never worked for me ... it's reasonable with fully exposed negs but it doesn't pick up the edge of the negative on underexposures.

 

[robklurfield]

Keith, how do I do that? Sounds like the fix I need. What menu do I use to create the frame?

 

[Keith]

I'll have to check later as I'm not near my scanner right now ... I just do it without thinking so the exact procedure regarding settings and menus etc eludes me! 😛

 

[robklurfield]

Keith, I think I figured it out. thanks so much for the tip.

 

[Keith]

No worries Rob ... as long as you're using it professional mode and don't have the thumbnails function ticked it should be fine.