scanning negatives with a regular flatbed.

[mexipike]

I have an epson stylus cx4800. It's one of those cheap things that has a printer and a scanner in one deal. Actually I've always been pretty impressed with the prints, and the scans of photos I've made are suficient. The scanner didn't come with a negative/transparence adapter and is not mad to scan transparencies. However, if I were to make my own negative adapter is there anyway, maybe using vuescan, that I could scan black and white negatives? I'm not looking for super high quality, just a kind of contact system and for emails. Incidentaly if I'm asking too much of my equipment, what's the least expensive set up for digitizing my negatives at home? I;m thinking a used flatbed scanner, that has an adapter already, if i were to buy something I'd like to get somewhat decent quality.

Thanks,
John

 

[charjohncarter]

I used cheap flatbed scanners at my office, for document reproduction. They worked very well in that capacity. One had a TMA or something like that which meant you could scan negatives and slides with this device that slipped into a back-light area. The scans were horrible (I think that the internal optics of a 35mm scanner is the limiting factor). If you go the scanner route, get something that has been proven. Look at scanned images on this site (gallery) pick ones you like, Personal Message the poster (these people are really great when it comes to sharing information) and ask what scanner they used. Maybe some of them will also post here which will be to your benefit.

Carter

 

[f/stopblues]

It can be done but it takes some extra work and the results won't be what you can get from the cheapest flatbeds with neg adapters. It gives it a stylistic look and severely compresses the tonal range. They also tend to give a "glow"

Here's some examples:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=46013
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=38834
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=38837

These are all 6x7 negs scanned on an HP flatbed (can't remember the model.. cheapo), inverted, straightened, and levels adjusted in photoshop.

A couple tips.. dust is *horrible!* I tried to clean the glass often. You'll want to use something to lay on top of the negative, the *whitest* white paper you can find. The best thing I found was the back of a developed sheet of Ilford RC paper. Just lay this on top to back the negative. Also, scan with the emulsion side down.

They're good enough to proof composition and check for any major flaws. Good luck!

 

[nzeeman]

i used flatbed scanner but i got some strange effects (paralel lines alonge the negatives) but they can be fine . sometimes if negatives are dark i open a scanner put about 10 white papers on top of negatives and put a table lamp to make light from top. see some examples:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=29775&cat=5774
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=29610&cat=5774
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=29777&cat=5774
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=30662

 

[kshapero]

Vuescan has saved my butt many times when scanning on a flatbed.

 

[mexipike]

I'm in the process of trying right now with my flatbed, I have the negative on the scanner with a piece of white photo paper on top, should I just scan it as if it were a regular print? The negatives are 35mm, and from what I'm seeing now, it looks like it may be more or less an imposibility.

 

[rich815]

Just buy a used Epson 2450 for something like $50 on eBay. It gave me great scans and the upgrade to the 4990, while worth it, was not tremendous. You'll get results about 100x times better than any jury-rig you could do with a standard flatbed with no transparancy adapter.

Heck, that said get a 1200U with trannie adapter. I used one for years and was very happy with it. Those are on eBay for about $25.

 

[aad]

Show us when you're done-I remember someone actually made a decent rig to do what you're trying to do, but I really think you'll be spinning your wheels. A 4490 is inexpensive, and you may find a Minolta film scanner for pretty cheap too- WAY better.