Pirate
Guitar playing Fotografer
And on other web sites too? My CanoScan 8800F will in no way support a 4x5 film, and there's not much to choose from around here in the way of shops.
So how do you scan your negatives? Or do you print it and scan the print?
So how do you scan your negatives? Or do you print it and scan the print?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Epson V700 ... probaly the most versatile scanner out there!
It will scan even larger negs by using the mask provided which allows you to place the neg directly on the glass and get correct focus.
It will scan even larger negs by using the mask provided which allows you to place the neg directly on the glass and get correct focus.
tlitody
Well-known
if you have a small enough print, then scanning it is a good option. You can get good quality for web and less messing about in post scan to make it look like a print would.
Gumby
Veteran
I'm not very active in scanning or even showing images on-line. When I do, I scan the proofs. My scanner has 4x5 holders but they are a real pain to use.
Jamie123
Veteran
An Epson V700 or even the 4990 will do a decent job with 4x5 negs.
venchka
Veteran
I use an Epson 1680. Friends have Epson 4990 & V700.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I'm going to use my V500. I know it isn't wide enough. But I made a 1/16 of an inch piece (if you want the dimensions PM me) of Plexiglas that just intrudes on the edge of the transparency area. Then I will place the 4x5 negative and scan; I will miss some. So I flip it 180 degrees and scan the other side. I have Microsoft ICE (free) and stitch them and finish in PSE6. I did it with one of my friends 4x5 negative and soon I will use negatives from my DIY Polaroid 95 conversion.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
I've got an ancient Umax Astra 2200 that does 4x5. Every thing else I scan on my Epson 3170 but it can't handle 4x5 so I keep two scanners in service.
Silverfast software that is meh, but it's the only thing that will support it under Mac OS X.
William
Silverfast software that is meh, but it's the only thing that will support it under Mac OS X.
William
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
+1.
I have one also, and it's great for MF or larger negs. I use the built-in Epson software but I've heard Silverfast, while unwieldy, gives even better results.
LKeithR
Improving daily--I think.
I've had a V750 for about a year and a half now and have been happy with the results I get with the Epson software. I've just started playing with Silverfast and I do have to agree that it's better. It is a bit unwieldy and tough to learn but if you sit down and work your way through it methodically--making copious references to the built-in help files--you will begin to figure it out. If I can sort it out then I think just about anyone can.
Oh, and the mask works for a lot of things. I have some old (mid-sixties) 127 K25 slides I made with a Brownie Holiday camera. I couldn't figure out how to scan them till I used the mask and laid them right on the glass. Worked like a charm...
Mablo
Well-known
I have a Canon 8800f and I sometimes scan 4x5 negs with it. Cut a mask for 4x5 neg from black paper. You can do without a mask but I find it easier to work with one. Place the negative on the mask emulsion side down. Place a AN glass on the neg AN side down. Scan.
Pirate
Guitar playing Fotografer
But the scan light is only 3 1/4 inch wide on the 8800F. Do you flip it around to scan the other side and then put together in something like Photoshop?
Mablo
Well-known
No I don't. It might let out a tiny slice (I'm not even sure it does) but I've chosen to ignore that
graywolf
Well-known
I have an old Epson 2400, with the even older 4x5 transparency adapter. I actually bought the adapter off ebay first than started looking for an inexpensive scanner to use with it. In my search the 2400 was then newest scanner that said it was compatible with the adapter, newer ones might or might not work. The 2400 was also the only one positively compatible with the adapter that had a USB 2.0 port. I think that was the cheapest way to scan 4x5.
The most expensive way is to have drum scans made for $50 each, but that is kind of over kill for web use. When comparing the two, it is interesting that the 2400 & adapter was paid for after two scans.
The most expensive way is to have drum scans made for $50 each, but that is kind of over kill for web use. When comparing the two, it is interesting that the 2400 & adapter was paid for after two scans.
Matus
Well-known
Microtek F1. Does a really good job with BW. I am still struggling with color slides as I have to yet nail the calibration issues I have. Eventually I will get that solved out too.
BTW - the scans are good enough for quite large prints (hey, when you start with 4x5" ). But I even printed one 50x70 cm poster. While it is not "perfect" upon close inspection it is still very nice.
The F1 is however noisy and the software (Silverfast Studio Ai) not too impressive either. But it is the best I am able to afford. But once I will get some really good color photo I will have it drum scanned. I know that day will come
BTW - the scans are good enough for quite large prints (hey, when you start with 4x5"
). But I even printed one 50x70 cm poster. While it is not "perfect" upon close inspection it is still very nice.The F1 is however noisy and the software (Silverfast Studio Ai) not too impressive either. But it is the best I am able to afford. But once I will get some really good color photo I will have it drum scanned. I know that day will come
MikeL
Go Fish
John, I've been doing the same with a V500 and 4x5 negatives from a converted Polaroid 900. I'm using Photomerge in CS3 to stitch them. Still getting to know Epson scan software.
On Mt. Tam
Michiel Fokkema
Michiel Fokkema
I use an epson 4990.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema
Klyment
Member
I used to scan with a V750 and then a Microtek M1 and Silverfast but upgrading to a 1990's Howtek Scanmaster 4500 and spending an extra $1K+ on Aztek Digital Photo Professional software to drive it was worth every penny.
drew.saunders
Well-known
I have a Microtek M1 (called F1 in Europe) and an Epson 3200 before that. A used 2400 or 3200 or other older Epson would be just fine. If I were looking to get one now, I'd get the Epson 750, the Microtek is just a little too finicky, but it can get pretty amazing scans for a desktop flatbed.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
I bought a Microtek Scanmaker 8700 for future use with 4x5 inch negatives. Over ten years old and max. resolution of 1200 dpi but with my current 6x9 cms and future 4x5 inch negatives, thats quite enough for big prints.