Inherited 50 year old negatives

<p>I just inherited tons of old negatives that I do not know the size of. They measure approximately<br>

2-1/4 x 2-1/4<br>

1-5/8 x 1-5/8<br>

1-5/8 x 2-1/2<br>

2-5/8 x 4-1/2</p>

<p>I would like to scan these and on an film scanner and digitalize them. I have a Minolta film scanner but I do not know if this will work because of the odd shapes of film. Does anyone know if there are film adapters for a minolta film scanner or maybe another brand of scanner that would work.<br>

Another option is to have this done professionally. I live in a rural town in Montana so not sure what options are out there.<br>

Any help is appreciated.</p>

<p>Lynn</p>

<p>Hi Lynn, The 2-1/4 is 120 size film (6x6). The 1-5/8 is probably 4.5cm? (as in 6x4.5), the square version is possibly super slide, and the largest is probably some sort of Graflex size image (though very pano in scale). Whatever the case, unless your Minolta is the medium format version, I don't think you can scan them. You might tell us which Minolta scanner you have for a more accurate answer. You may want to go with an Epson v700 (not cheap) in order to do the largest size, or you could do all but the largest one with either an Epson 4490 or v500. These are about $140-$199 range, and all the images in my portfolio here are scanned with a 4490. If you wanted to pop for a little over $2k, your next best option would be a Nikon Coolscan 9000, or an 8000 if you want to buy a used one that operates a little slower.</p>

<p>Do you have a medium format film scanner, such as the Minolta Multi Pro?</p>

<p> one way is toi buy an epson or canon refurb<br>

from their web site.<br>

a minimum of wildows 2000 is ususlly required.<br>

unless there is a stapes, office max or office depot or super walmart.<br>

the nikon coolscan is nice but costs more than a decent old 4wd pickup truck.</p>

<p>you could also print them by buying a mf enlarger and scanning large prints on a less expensive flatbed scanner.<br>

a 6 x 9 enlarger 2 1/2 x 3 1`/2 would not cover the whole frame of the biggest negatives.<br>

but usually these photos were not closely cropped and you would not be cutting out people, etc</p>

<p>The third is the "full frame" size of 127 film, as used in cameras like the Vest Pocket Kodak.<br>

The fourth is 116 (or 616) size, which was definitely the most popular roll film size before WW-II. Large enough for a decent contact print, which was the norm in those days.<br>

An Epson 2450 (used), 4490, V500, V700, or V750 will do the job. For small numbers of negatives, probably cheaper to pay someone to do it. For large numbers, you'll have a learning curve, but it's doable.</p>

 

<p>Lynn - what do you intend to do with the images once they're digitized? For web display or smaller prints, a flatbed may be sufficient. If, on the other hand, you want to make large prints of high quality, then a dedicated film scanner makes more sense.</p>

<p>The 2 5/8 x 4 1/2 could be 130 roll film. It's actually 2 7/8 x 4 7/8, but, the 2 5/8 is close. 116 is 2 1/2 x 4 1/4. Maybe measure it again.</p>

<p>Lynn,<br>

<br /> You may find this link helpful. I scanned about 10,000 negatives and slides in all sorts of sizes using my Epson 4990. I was very happy with the results. The resolution was high enough that I doubt I'll ever have to worry. Honestly, the resolution of the scan was probably above the crappy camera that the photos were originally taken with.<br>

http://www.kryptosinistographer.com/2008/03/scanning-old-ma.html</p>

<p>My vote is with the Epson 4490, too. </p>

<p>Thanks for all your replies. The scanner I have is the Dimage scan dual III AF-2840.</p>

<p>I took the negatives downtown to a local film developer and they charge 1.50 for each negative and have hundreds. She said that she uses a flat panel scanner to scan negatives. Is that what you are all using? We have two scanners and my husband says these won't work and I can't find any info on the net about them. There is a AcerScan Prisa 620S and a Canan F912900 LED indirect exposure. That is the info I got off the scanners. Does anyone know if these will work.<br>

I think it would be better if these won't work to pick up a flatbed or flat panel (can't remember the proper terminology) and do it myself. Does anyone have something they want to sell?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The first size is definitely 120, the second AND third are 127. 127 actually has 3 formats, 4X3, 4X4 and 4X6.5. I have an old minolta that shoots 4X6.5 and has a metal mask to shoot 4X3s. It has 2 red windows for shooting both. Your fourth film i am not sure about.<br>

How about using a flatbed scanner with a piece of white plastic laid over the negatives with a light above it, using the white plastic as a diffuser?? I have not tried that yet but i am thinking about it because i have some negatives that i want to scan. I'll try it out and let everyone know how it goes.</p>