What Vuescan settings for Portra 160 VC & NC?

[Waterman100]

I have been using Portra 160VC lately, scanning with Vuescan, in combination of a Epson V750 or a Nikon Coolscan V ED.

My question is very specific: If I scan Portra as "color negative", what is the best setting in the "Color" page to correct for the orange mask inherent in the film?

(I am aware of the method of scanning negatives as slides and then converting its color. But for ease of operation, I'd like to scan negatives as negatives.)

I ask because I find Vuescan's build-in film profile for 160VC not particularly helpful. Images under that profile setting and with a "White Balance" setting do not produce the kind of vivid color that I expect from 160VC films. Please share your Vuescan settings for scanning Portra 160VC or NC films. Any comments will also be helpful... Many Thanks.

 

[hans voralberg]

The best way I found is to scan as raw and convert using ColorPerfect plugin for photoshop. Create a PS action facilitate batch processing.

 

[cabbiinc]

If you want it perfect, try color perfect. http://benneh.net/blog/2010/09/25/vuescan-colorperfect-a-guide/?goal=yes and yes that will mean for a RAW scan you'll need the Pro license of Vuescan, otherwise you could try to turn off as much as you can with a standard license and save as a Tiff (NOT a dng). I really like the raw file output of the Pro license as I scan in batches and do adjustments later.

If you're looking for pretty close or close enough I find that at the beginning of each roll previewing a frame, clicking Scanner | Exposure, then previewing again, then using Auto Levels usually gives me decent results. I've never got good results from using any of the film profiles in Vuescan. They just make everything look murky, unsaturated and washed out.

 

[Waterman100]

The best way I found is to scan as raw and convert using ColorPerfect plugin for photoshop. Create a PS action facilitate batch processing.

That's an alternative that I didn't know, but does it work for me? I only have Photoshop Elements that came with the Epson V750, but I haven't used it yet. I have been doing any necessary, but minor color correction with Aperture.

BTW, I do have a Pro version of Vuescan.

 

[Rhoyle]

I set everything as generic. In Color>Color balance, I click Auto levels. It gets me very close to where I need to be. From there I open up in Photoshop do minor adjustments from there. Some people like to be able to print right from their scans. I just try to get into the ballpark from a scan and as long as i have all the info from the film in my file, I can usually easily get it where I want it in PS.

 

[Araakii]

My workflow is to scan the negs as neutral then use the auto white balance in Nik Color.

 

[ferider]

Have a look at

http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/html/vuesc15.htm

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootfilm/discuss/72157608204093047

Use the "Lock film base color" option, it was made for that.

Roland.

 

[Waterman100]

I set everything as generic. In Color>Color balance, I click Auto levels. It gets me very close to where I need to be. From there I open up in Photoshop do minor adjustments from there. Some people like to be able to print right from their scans. I just try to get into the ballpark from a scan and as long as i have all the info from the film in my file, I can usually easily get it where I want it in PS.

Rhoyle - after clicking Auto Levels, what % Black and White points do you use?

As an side, when scanning B/W negatives, I often adjust Black and White Point % to bring out contrast in my images and then curves in Aperture. Not sure if you guys think this is advisable.

 

[Araakii]

Rhoyle - after clicking Auto Levels, what % Black and White points do you use?

As an side, when scanning B/W negatives, I often adjust Black and White Point % to bring out contrast in my images and then curves in Aperture. Not sure if you guys think this is advisable.

I keep the high point at 0.75 most of the time but vary the low point depending on whether it's slide (keep the low point low to bring out more shadows) or negative (keep the low point at 0.25 to increase contrast)

 

[Araakii]

Have a look at

http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/html/vuesc15.htm

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootfilm/discuss/72157608204093047

Use the "Lock film base color" option, it was made for that.

Roland.

wow, very helpful stuff. Thanks!

 

[Waterman100]

Have a look at

http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/html/vuesc15.htm

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ishootfilm/discuss/72157608204093047

Use the "Lock film base color" option, it was made for that.

Roland.

I followed the tutorials and used the film base color option, and wow, I am FINALLY getting (close to) the color I have been looking for. Thanks for all the help guys!!!!