scanning XP2 - strange grain problem?

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plgplg

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I am using a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 and Vuescan software, to scan Ilford XP2. I expose it at ASA 320 and I have the negatives developed at a local lab.

I've noticed that it does very well in daylight ... scans well, very little grain. A little "flat" out of the scanner but that's OK, I can add contrast in post processing.

I've noticed however that when doing available-light sort of stuff, e.g. portraits next to a window, stuff where there's a broad range of light and dark, something strange happens when scanning. The areas receiving light look great. SOME areas of dark look great. Other areas of dark and some areas of mid-tones look like absolute crap, i.e. the apparent grain is ridiculously high.

Is this a known feature?
 
plgplg said:
I am using a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 and Vuescan software, to scan Ilford XP2. I expose it at ASA 320 and I have the negatives developed at a local lab.

I've noticed that it does very well in daylight ... scans well, very little grain. A little "flat" out of the scanner but that's OK, I can add contrast in post processing.

I've noticed however that when doing available-light sort of stuff, e.g. portraits next to a window, stuff where there's a broad range of light and dark, something strange happens when scanning. The areas receiving light look great. SOME areas of dark look great. Other areas of dark and some areas of mid-tones look like absolute crap, i.e. the apparent grain is ridiculously high.

Is this a known feature?
Click to expand...

I'm using XP2 exclusively and scan with the Nikon 4000ED. I can't say that I get any surprises, generally. But a recent shot showed some rather strange grain that I hadn't seen before. Can't do it now, but I'll post the shot that shows what I mean. I'll also look at other images in that roll to see if it's more widespread.

Harry
 
Xp2

Xp2

I think you'll likely get better shadow areas rating XP2 at EI 250 or 200.. I don't think there's anything wrong with the scans, they're merely picking up what the dye clouds look like when underexposed

Cheers, David
 
Leigh Youdale said:
I suppose you remembered that you should NOT use Digital Ice options in the scanner software when scanning this film?
Click to expand...

Actually Leigh, there are no silver halides in processed XP2; it's essentially colour negative with only greyscale dyes. ICE works well.
 
In C41 films the visible grain size reduces with higher exposure. It is normal for the dark areas of the image to have larger grain than the well exposed parts. So if you want less grain, just lower the ISO/increase the exposure. I concur that ICE should work fine with XP2.
 
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