Takkun
Ian M.
Thanks for the tips and pointers for scanning in my last thread here. Lately I've been shooting a lot of medium format, scanning with an Epson at school, and getting fabulous results.
But going back to 35mm, my scans are still being difficult. Namely that I get a very compressed histogram and murky images, even with decent negs.
To recap: I'm using VueScan, a Minolta 5400 (first version, which I'm certain is a cold cathode tube) and the lock exposure technique.
Right now, I'm using a borrowed Coolscan 4000 to do some big batch scans and they're turning out just fine. Could it be that my scanner's lamp is on its last breath? How would I figure that out, and is there any possibility of replacing it?
But going back to 35mm, my scans are still being difficult. Namely that I get a very compressed histogram and murky images, even with decent negs.
To recap: I'm using VueScan, a Minolta 5400 (first version, which I'm certain is a cold cathode tube) and the lock exposure technique.
Right now, I'm using a borrowed Coolscan 4000 to do some big batch scans and they're turning out just fine. Could it be that my scanner's lamp is on its last breath? How would I figure that out, and is there any possibility of replacing it?
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Let me suggest downloading the Minolta scan software and see if the problem repeats itself with different software. I have been a Vuescan person for some 12+ years but a different software package is a quick easy way to rule out software problems.
I have owned several Minolta scanners but never burned out of bulb in one. Fortunately I do have a spare for my MultiPro.
I do not know if 5400 1st version bulbs are available or not. I specifically asked Precision Camera, the Minolta service center, if they had them in stock because I was considering buying a 5400 and availability of replacement bulb would be a factor in my potential purchase decision. They answered many questions that I never asked but not the simple one I did ask in a series of e-mails. So I gave up and still scan 35mm with my medium format scanner.
I have owned several Minolta scanners but never burned out of bulb in one. Fortunately I do have a spare for my MultiPro.
I do not know if 5400 1st version bulbs are available or not. I specifically asked Precision Camera, the Minolta service center, if they had them in stock because I was considering buying a 5400 and availability of replacement bulb would be a factor in my potential purchase decision. They answered many questions that I never asked but not the simple one I did ask in a series of e-mails. So I gave up and still scan 35mm with my medium format scanner.
Highway 61
Revisited
Let me suggest that you follow some tips you were adressed in that other thread and post here a TIFF scan (reduced to 800x600 of course) of a neg. scanned as a RGB color file, as if it was a color slide. Choose, please, a very well exposed photo. Use Vuescan as you were suggested to (linear curve, no other presets). Then let us look at the negative - like the first photo of the series of three I posted in the other thread. It will be easy to see if the scanner still captures what's on the negative, or if it has become unable to.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Substituting VueScan for Minolta software greatly depends on the operating system you're running, I could not get my software for the ScanDual IV to go run on any operating system higher than OSX Snow Leopard.
Maybe run the VueScan software as a plugin to Photoshop, use the Photoshop 'Acquire' menu option and see if it makes a difference that way? If you don't have Photoshop, you can install it as a 30 day trial, or use Photoshop Elements.
Maybe run the VueScan software as a plugin to Photoshop, use the Photoshop 'Acquire' menu option and see if it makes a difference that way? If you don't have Photoshop, you can install it as a 30 day trial, or use Photoshop Elements.