Scanning Ektar 100 on Nikon Coolscan V ED

[rayfoxlee]

I am trying, but failing, to get a pleasing scan off this 35mm film through Vuescan. The problem is the blue cast which seems very hard to shift. The best setting I have found so far is to scan it as Kodak Vericolor HC6329 VHC. Has anyone found a really good setting for this film, using the same scanner and software, or is this just a tricky film to deal with?
I know Roger Hicks says on his website that exposure has to be spot on, but the negs look fine.


I usually shoot Fuji Superia 200 which scans beautifully.

It would be great if someone has the answer!

Thanks

Ray:bang:

 

[thegman]

It's been a while, but I think Vuescan has a Portra 160VC profile, which I think worked pretty well for me.

 

[useless generation]

I've always found it hard to scan ektar. Sometimes it's spot on but most of the time it's difficult. I use portra now and it's a lot better in both ways however when ektar is good its real good. It's so sharp and pretty much grainless

 

[gavinlg]

Use colorperfect software as a plugin for photoshop. Only way to get consistent results from ektar.

 

[Robert Lai]

Color calibration technique

Color calibration technique

I have also found Ektar to be difficult to get the colors right from my Nikon Coolscan 5000 and Vuescan.

I have resorted to color calibration. This is the optimum approach with slide film, but it can work nicely with color negative film also.
You need a calibrated color target which looks like an 8 x 10" print with color spots placed on it in a grid pattern. I get mine from Wolf Faust, who makes them in Germany.

Then, shoot this color target in full sun around noon time with the Ektar film. When you go to scan this film, you can ask Vuescan to generate an icm color profile. This color profile is then applied to your Ektar film scans, and the colors should automatically be much closer to correct.

I have some Ektar icm profiles shot at EI 100, 80, and 50. They were shot in the sun of the midwestern USA, so they may not work so well for you in the UK. However, if you wish to give them a try, then just private email me, and I will send them to you.

 

[brbo]

What gavinlg said!

ColorPerfect. Works with Ektar (and every other negative/slide/BW film) in every situation...

Some Ektar scans below. I invert a raw scan in ColorPerfect (I use BW preset so ColorPerfect doesn't add any film characterisation) to get a "perfectly flat" file and then adjust whites/blacks/contrast in Lightroom.


surpriiiiiiise!!! by boachi, on Flickr


wheels - stages by boachi, on Flickr


lil' retro house by boachi, on Flickr

 

[Mackinaw]

I've had more success with Ektar 100 by scanning, then pulling the picture into Photoshop, bring up levels, go to the blue curve, and reduce the amount of blue (drag the left slider to the right). Learning how to manipulate all of the RGB curves in Photoshop can really make Ektar shine.

Jim B.

 

[Pirate]

brbo, those pictures are beautiful. I've had some descent luck scanning into Photoshop and then adjusting as Mackinaw said, but after seeing those pictures above, I might just have to check into ColorPerfect.

I have a Canon 8800F and developed in Unicolor C-41 developer.

 

[hrzlvn]

Very nice scan!

What gavinlg said!

ColorPerfect. Works with Ektar (and every other negative/slide/BW film) in every situation...

Some Ektar scans below. I invert a raw scan in ColorPerfect (I use BW preset so ColorPerfect doesn't add any film characterisation) to get a "perfectly flat" file and then adjust whites/blacks/contrast in Lightroom.


surpriiiiiiise!!! by boachi, on Flickr


wheels - stages by boachi, on Flickr


lil' retro house by boachi, on Flickr

 

[colyn]

I've not had any problems scanning Ektar 100 with the Epson V750. I only did a touch of white balance in Gimp on the below scanned Ektar image..

I do however find a bit too much green when shooting under trees etc with Ektar and have to correct it in Gimp.. I should use a magenta filter over the lens to help reduce the green..


purple_iris by Colyn's fotografs, on Flickr

 

[ThangNguyen]

I am not expert on this but I like color of Ektar. This is what I got from V750 with silver fast.
Colyn, your flower is beautiful.

 

[kanzlr]

ColorPerfect ftw.

scan as a RAW TIF and convert with ColorPerfect. Yields superb color.

 

[rayfoxlee]

Since posting this, I have gone back to the Nikon software just to see what it can do and find on this occasion, that the Nikon software produces a much better colour balance without the blue cast. Add a few tweaks in CS3 or LR and the results are not bad at all. Overall, though, I'm not sure that the effort is worthwhile for me. I must say that the pictures produced on this thread really are beautiful, so compliments to those who have overcome this issue.

Ray

 

[robert blu]

I have similar problem (bluish colors) with the 5000 ed when scanning Ektar with Vuescan ( I only have the demo, trying to understand it). No problem when scanning with the NikonScan software, which unfortunately will not work on my next Mac 😡
robert

 

[Damaso]

I just used the stock Nikonscan software and got amazing results right out of the box so to speak...

 

[kzphoto]

I just used the stock Nikonscan software and got amazing results right out of the box so to speak...

Show-off! 😀