How do you scan your 35mm B&W film?

[Mike-D]

I scan using a Minolta Scan Dual III using VueScan. I scan using the "Raw file" Raw DNG format" and "Raw Save Film" output options to get a positive image with all of the information that the scanner can capture from the negative. Then I make my adjustments in Lightroom. This gives me better results than using the scanner software to make the decisions for me.

 

[vnukov_pk]

Nikon iv scanner with vuescan for large part of my 35 mm output. However, I use epson 4490 with vuescan to scan xpan exposures. I found nik software sharping plugins for Photoshop very good in dealing with shortcomings of epson flatbed.

 

[Godfrey]

I had two rolls from the M4-2 processed over the weekend, an ACROS 100 and an XP2 Super. Scanned them last night with the Nikon Coolscan V. My current iteration of a settings preset makes it very quick and easy to work with strips of six.

Some of the ACROS 100 scanned with dust and scratch reduction turned on came out well, but for most of them I had to turn it off.

G

 

[JChrome]

I used the Canon 9000f for 35mm. Unfortunately the curve of the film was never straightened by the trays so it never turned out well. I know you can buy glass to make it flat but I just decided to shoot 120mm instead and am now solely shooting 120. It scans really well 🙂.

 

[Jan Pedersen]

Until recently i have used an Epson V750 but was never happy with 35mm scans from that unit. 120 and large format is ok. Recently bought a Plustek 8200i and it is slightly more crisp and acceptable but not great. I accept that 35mm is a small negative and can only get so much out of it.
Spent some time going back and forth between Silverfast, Epson and Vuescan SW and found Vuescan to give me the best results.

 

[davidw99]

Epson V600! Works very well

When I find a real pearl of a negative I have it printed at a lab.

One day I'll build me a darkroom (dream on)!

Epson v600! Very nice scanner. I do wish the medium format film holders had cross bars to help support the film like the 35mm film holders although the scans do look good.

 

[noimmunity]

I picked up a Reflecta RPS 10 M (known outside of Europe as the Pacific Image XA). It has some nice things going for it, but the model I received showed a line of vertical banding, like dead pixels, in the same place on every scan of positives done with either Vuescan or CyberView (the proprietary software that comes with the scanner). I sent it back for an exchange.

The Reflecta scanner looks like it is capable, if everything works, of results that approach a Coolscan LS-5000. But the big caveat here is if.

I have to lament, once again, the fact that there isn't a 135 home scanner still in production that really gets it right.

If there really is a "film renaissance" underway, I can only hope that soon enough a well thought-out, functionable product will hit the market.

 

[c.poulton]

I agree with the previous statement - if only we could get a quality dedicated film scanner that is affordable for home use (ideally suited for 135 & 120). I thought the Plustek 120 was going to be the one but I'm not now convinced by so many negative reviews and problems with QC. Maybe Leica will come to the forefront, although I doubt it somehow...

 

[Marcovxxx]

I've bought a Pakon 135 plus on January for 135 films only, in addition with my v750 Epson : old but so good !!! Take care, The price is incresasing these days ;-(

 

[robert blu]

I agree with the previous statement - if only we could get a quality dedicated film scanner that is affordable for home use (ideally suited for 135 & 120). I thought the Plustek 120 was going to be the one but I'm not now convinced by so many negative reviews and problems with QC. Maybe Leica will come to the forefront, although I doubt it somehow...

Owner of a 5000ED which I hope will work for a long time...as already said in the Leica thread that Leica should support their film Ms with a good film scanner, but it will not happen :-(
robert

 

[Joe Vitessa]

So are the Nikon Coolscans still the best thing going for 35mm film these days, 10 years after they were released? I'm about fed up with the negative holders on my Epson. ...

 

[Dguebey]

I have both Nikon Coolscan V ED and Epson V700. Vote for the former.
The Nikon SA-21 film feeder suffers from the scandalous obsolescence syndrom (hope to fix one day after reading http://janburke.de/index.php/component/content/article/44-blog-en/130-replacing-photo-sensors-on-nikon-sa-21-film-feeder )

I use V700 for film, and the Coolscan for slides.
Here is a slide (Fuji Provia 100, Elmarit ASPH 24/2.8 @ f/4.0)

Crop of a scan with Coolscan :

Crop of a scan with V700

 

[Fixcinater]

I do very quick proof scans with my Canon 9000F but it looks terrible even at web res. I used to waste time trying to make the files look better but it just can't be helped much. Using the best lenses I can find with careful technique making the negative and then throwing it away at the scan stage is frustrating.

For 6x7 it's fine, and 4x5 is no problem at all, but 35mm needs more res than it can provide.

So, end result, I use it for proofs and use my DSLR for the better scans of 35mm.

 

[JChrome]

I do very quick proof scans with my Canon 9000F but it looks terrible even at web res. I used to waste time trying to make the files look better but it just can't be helped much. Using the best lenses I can find with careful technique making the negative and then throwing it away at the scan stage is frustrating. For 6x7 it's fine, and 4x5 is no problem at all, but 35mm needs more res than it can provide. So, end result, I use it for proofs and use my DSLR for the better scans of 35mm.

Completely agree. Scanning 35mm with that flatbed is a waste of time. I think it mainly has to do with the curvature of the film. You could spend $35 and get the glass the flatten it. I still wonder about the results but other folks say it's good.

I will only scan 120 on it. You say "4x5 is no problem at all." But I am confused because there's no 4x5 holder?

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I agree with the previous statement - if only we could get a quality dedicated film scanner that is affordable for home use (ideally suited for 135 & 120).
I thought the Plustek 120 was going to be the one but I'm not now convinced by so many negative reviews and problems with QC.
Maybe Leica will come to the forefront, although I doubt it somehow...

One seldom see the words "Leica" and "affordable" used together...

Chris

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Once after a couple beers my brother's friend seemed quite confident in his contention that a used Corvette is the ideal family car.

Chris

 

[edge100]

I used to scan my 35mm film with a Plustek 8100.

Then I bought a Polaroid Sprintscan 120, which was slower but better quality.

Then I bought a Pakon, which was faster but lower resolution.

Then I sold all of that and bought a D800 and a 100/2.8 macro lens, which is fast and very high resolution.

 

[sjgslack]

Scanning with a digital camera and a macro lens is a very worthwhile option. If you get it right it can be far better than a flatbed. Bit of a hassle though.

 

[B.Toews]

What's the use of photographing on film if you take this route. Isn't it easier (better)? to use your digital camera to take the picture? Or do you also make "wet" prints?
Frank

I didn't see this until just now, but as others have already said, you don't really lose anything by digitizing the negatives with a DSLR. It combines the tonality and grain of film with the convenience and advantages of a digital workflow. It's not really much different than using a scanner, it's just that I already own DSLRs for other work.

 

[DNG]

Scanning with a digital camera and a macro lens is a very worthwhile option. If you get it right it can be far better than a flatbed. Bit of a hassle though.

Yes... you need a larger space mostly to set a copy stand, and you still some kind light table to illuminate the slides.. with some kind of pin registration to hold the slide in place..
so you don't have to move the DSLR setup when you change the slide out...

I suppose you can find a Slide Duplicator for a more portable setup. But, the closeup lenses in those aren't top quality.

If you can find a Slide Duplicator that has a bellows and separate slide stage (I believe Nikon and Pentax and Canon (FD) made one),
it would work with a nice macro lens. a sturdy tripod is also needed.

But, the Epson V series does offer automatic framing and scanning with the supplied holders and using Epson Scan software.
Other software requires each slide to be framed out before scanning.
And if you have 1000's of slides to scan from your Dads 60+ years of photography As I do... automating even one part is a big time saver...
Just wish the Epson V700 was a USB 3 bandwidth!!