Vuescan and Nikon Coolscan: Auto workflow?

[roscoetuff]

New to me Nikon Coolscan 8000 makes some very fine negatives come to life. So far, I've only used it for B&W negatives and done one-at-a-time. But I'm wondering if there's a way - using Vuescan for Windows and the latest version of each - to automate this somewhat? Though it doesn't look like it with 120 6X6, it might with a 35mm double neg strip tray? I'm just wondering even with a 3-up 6X6 120 strip whether ti's possible. As I remember using the batch mode on a Plustek with this, the Batch mode doesn't automate the tray advance, but simply speeds the incrementation of the frame number in the file name. Hope there's something I'm missing. If anyone can point me to a youtube or online article that addresses this, that'd be great. Thanks!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I answered your question on Photrio (the former APUG) but I'll repeat it here in case any other RFF members want to see the answer.

Vuescan can do automated batch scans with the Nikon 8000. Here's a how-to that I wrote a few months ago:

http://crawfordphotoschool.com/digital/vuescan-batch.php

 

[roscoetuff]

Chris: Thanks again. Vuescan is a bit obtuse in their documentation. I find there is a lot more trial and error with this software than... yes... the dreaded Silverlight. But then the pricing is a tad more rational for Vuescan. I think one of the things I can see in my negatives is that my 120 MF camera (Bronica SQ) doesn't separate frames with an exactitude of any degree. Don't know if this is a problem for other cameras, but 35mm doesn't have this issue. Maybe I'm just herky jerky with the film advance? Whatever it is, this is sure to play hell with any attempt at a regular offset / spacing between the shots on an individual strip of 3 negatives.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Chris: Thanks again. Vuescan is a bit obtuse in their documentation. I find there is a lot more trial and error with this software than... yes... the dreaded Silverlight. But then the pricing is a tad more rational for Vuescan.

I learned all this from trial and error 15 years ago when I first began using Vuescan with my Nikon scanner. I created the tutorials for it to help others avoid the hassles I went through.

Most software today is poorly documented. The first version of Photoshop I ever bought, Photoshop 7 back in 2002, came with a thick printed instruction manual! Now, nothing. You have to go buy a book. Lots of good how-to books on Photoshop out there but the average price is $50. For something that ought to be included.

Today, of course, you can learn anything from the web without buying any books. I make money from my tutorials because a lot of people send me donations to thank me for the help, and because the free tutorials generate interest in my personalized lessons. That's how a lot of people providing tutorials online make money now. That, and running ads on their sites.

I think one of the things I can see in my negatives is that my 120 MF camera (Bronica SQ) doesn't separate frames with an exactitude of any degree. Don't know if this is a problem for other cameras, but 35mm doesn't have this issue. Maybe I'm just herky jerky with the film advance? Whatever it is, this is sure to play hell with any attempt at a regular offset / spacing between the shots on an individual strip of 3 negatives.

Medium format cameras generally do not have the perfectly even frame spacing that 35mm cameras give. Each manufacturer sets up their cameras to give different spacing; some place the frames far apart, some close together, and many are not really consistent through the whole roll! That is why the 35mm holders on film scanners have plastic slats between the frames, while 120 film holders do not. It wouldn't work on 120 film because of the wide variances in frame spacing from one camera to another!