What have I done? Too much Grain?!

[twhittle]

I spent a few hours last week using a Hasselblad Flextight scanner at a local darkroom. I was scanning in 120 shots from a recent trip to America.

They were all taken on a Rolleiflex Automat Model 3 which is from the '40s. The lens has some cleaning marks and one bit of small fungus. The film is all Portra 160, some of which is put of date.

I tried to scan as flat as possible, using the preset for Portra and making sure that the levels were all covered.

BUT there is SO SO much grain! I don't understand where it has come from?
Is it the old lens? The x-ray scanners at the airport? My bad scanning skills?
Or some thing else?. . .

I have attached some images to give example.
Any thoughts would be very welcome!
Thanks

 

[ABrosig]

I guess I personally don't see what you're talking about. I'm not trying to be offensive, but those images look fine, with a normal level of film grain. I've got to ask, are you mentally comparing them to digital images? If so, the difference will definitely be night and day, which is one of the reasons I'm getting back to film for most of my personal work right now.

Something you might try, if the grain bothers you, is scan for intended output size, at the final resolution you want. Also, double-check the scanner settings. If you've got sharpening set, or set too high, in the scanner software that can enhance the apparent grain of an image. Same goes for your post-processing software (Photoshop, etc.). Too much sharpening can make grain more apparent in a final image.

Again, I think these shots look great. I personally don't see the grain problem.

 

[jsrockit]

Underexposed negatives?

 

[telenous]

I'd guess underexposure too. Also, film which is out of date benefits from some extra exposure over its nominal speed.

.

 

[Sparrow]

... yes thin colour negatives always look grainy ... although I've had far worse than those myself

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143812

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143812

Thin negatives cause grain.
Out of date film becomes slower..
i have some old Portra 160.
Rated it at 50~80 ISO.
still thin and grainy.
The grain here like mine is really not bad.
Film isn't digital.
I could never afford a Medium Format digital camera, system.
Anyway they are never 6x6cm...😀
Try when scanning doing one hi rez and one lower..

 

[mfogiel]

These shots are between 1-2 stops underexposed. Shoot Portra at half box speed and you will be happy.
On a second thought - you should verify, if the lens fogging has not caused it to effectively lose some speed. Shoot a roll at various EI's and shoot the same way with the same film, but a different camera, then you can compare.

 

[Tijmendal]

These shots are between 1-2 stops underexposed. Shoot Portra at half box speed and you will be happy.

Yup. Rate it anything 1-2 stops slower and you'll be a happy camper. Even though it might be out of date, that shouldn't pose a problem.

 

[Cyriljay]

I think it looks like something do with the exposure or expired films look. I have used this scanner and it is simple scanner and once your initial setters are correct it gives overall good scans.

 

[Ronald M]

My Minolta 5400 shows more grain and emulsion defects than I never saw when I printed it with my Leica V35. Prints are sharp as anything I ever saw so it is not bad printing.

Conclusion is a good scanner sees every little thing, things I can not see even with a 8x loupe.

I suggest a grain program called Grain Surgery is you cab still get it. Noise reduction programs are of little help.