b&w scan questions about Dual Scan IV

[mehmetsaygin]

Hi,

 

After my previous post and very helpful answers, I ordered Minolta

Scan Dual IV, it will be arrived tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile, I read almost all topics about Minolta-Vuescan-Silverfast,

I am still confused.

 

I shoot b&w film, mostly Trix.

I always make post process in Photoshop after I get my scans from

lab.Scans were always dark, with wrong tones which makes me need to

work on them.

 

I prefer make changes in PS. So, do I still need to have an extra

software like Vuescan, Silverfast etc. or can I just use the software

that comes with the scanner?

 

And what else do I need to know?

 

Is multi-sample scanning helpful for b&w film scans? How many

exposures are recommended, 2,4,8?

 

I am also confused if I need to make a direct monochrome scan, or do

I need to make a color scan and convert to b&w in PS, I read

different opinions?

 

Do you find manuals useful that come with the hardware?

 

I guess more questions will come to my mind after your replies.

 

Thank you for your time again answering these thousand times asked

questions, plz tolerate my desire :)

[jtk]

Mehmet, you do want Vuescan. It's cheap and very good. The documentation is too long-winded but at least it's well-intended and written written originally in English, rather than translated.

 

I understand your point about post-processing Vs adjustments in the scan...but the scanner does need to be adjusted for the particular film and perhaps for any density/contrast issues in the film (too dense, snow scene etc).

 

Djon

[mehmetsaygin]

Thank you very much John,

I checked the Vuescan site, there is no ready Trix settings but it recommends checking Tmax options.I found some values on photo.net board.I guess I will learn it while testing the software.

 

Best,

[mawz]

I've the Scan Dual III and I scan a lot of B&W.

 

 

I scan using the Minolta software, in Colour Negative mode, single-sample, 16-bit. I

convert to B&W in PS using the channel mixer for most images, although a decent minority

come out requiriing only a crop. I've found that scanning in colour then converting gets

me a higher quality image after any needed corrections, due to the available extra info. It's

especially useful in rescuing bad exposures. I am looking at moving to Vuescan, as the

Scan Dual III software doesn't seem to be compatible with OS X Tiger, but I have no

intention of changing my workflow to use Vuescan's B&W modes rather than colour.

 

The Manuals from Minolta (And their email tech support unfortunately) are less than

helpful, but all you really need to know is that you scan emulsion-side down and with the

top of the film on the right side of the holder. The neg holder is a little fiddly, I'd

recomend aquiring a light box to aid in getting your alighnment right, you'll also want

darkroom gloves to keep prints off the negs as you adjust them in the holder.

[tomweis]

I have the Dual IV also. I scan B&W as a Color Positive (transparency) as I find this gives me

better dynamic range - detail or density in highlights and better detail in shadows. Then in

PS Invert, Desaturate, and tweak Levels as needed.

[mehmetsaygin]

Dear Adam and Tom, thank you for your replies.

I will try both b&w and color scans on same negative and I will check the results myself, sure, but getting recommendations like this is helpful.Now, I will consider color scans with more attention.

 

What about multi-sample scanning, do you use it often, and how many exposures?

I don't have time problem, speed of scanning is not important to me, so I can use multi-sample scanning if it really helps.

 

Best,