Scanning half-format and 4,5x6 in flatbed scanners

[Joao]

Hello
I am losing too much time in scanning half-format otr 4,5 x 6 negatives in my Canoscan 8800F. The original software does not always recognise the format of the negatives (most of the time it doesn't) and it is very cumbersome to scan the negatives one by one using masks; moreover, with 4,5 x 6 negatives, if the frame interval is too narrow, the images are not read as two separate frames.
Does any flatbed scanner user have a positive experience with other softwares, for these negative formats
Thank you.
Joao

 

[thegman]

You could try Silverfast or Vuescan. With Vuescan, I tried scanning the whole bed, and cropping them out of a very large image, it works, but you need to have a fast computer and a lot of memory.

If I recall the Epson software was OK at getting out the frames, but still not wonderful. I'd try out demos of Silverfast and Vuescan and see how you go. Maybe write to the makers of each package and ask what they recommend.

 

[sem]

I work with vuescan and a betterscanning holder.
Works fine with my canon.
Best
sem

 

[johannielscom]

It is possible to define a scanning area in VueScan, after the initial pre-scan. Saves a lot of memory, file size, and speed!

I just dumped my Microtek ScanMaker 8700, it had holders for any size up to 4x5. It was a large beast and you would have to try and find one locally or pay dearly for shipping, but it was a good scanner with VueScan.

 

[Joao]

It is possible to define a scanning area in VueScan, after the initial pre-scan. Saves a lot of memory, file size, and speed!

That's good news! I will go that way.
Thank you for the input

Joao

 

[rjbuzzclick]

I use the 8800f myself. For half-frame I just let it do the preview scan and then I re-size the individual frames manually (by clicking on the corners and dragging) to the half-frame images. Then I click and drag to create new frames for the remaining images, then hit scan. It's a little clunky to set up, but not too bad.

 

[Murchu]

I do as mentioned above, scanning the whole strip in vuescan, and cropping in lightroom. Bit cumbersome, but much less painful than adjusting the individual crop frames in vuescan I find.

I don't scan (or shoot) half frame, but do the above for 35mm sometimes when I scan it.

 

[maxwell1295]

I use the 8800f myself. For half-frame I just let it do the preview scan and then I re-size the individual frames manually (by clicking on the corners and dragging) to the half-frame images. Then I click and drag to create new frames for the remaining images, then hit scan. It's a little clunky to set up, but not too bad.

This is what I do. You can do this very easily in seconds. It's quick and painless...

 

[Joao]

I'm grateful for the additional comments. I will do as you suggest.
Best regards
Joao