how to scan negatives

[anthonybagileo]

After months of debate between MF and 35 mm. i decided to go with MF. My camera is on the way. An RZ67 pro

II.with a 110 mm lens. I do photo work for a magazine and the digital have been fine. I would suspect that there will

be times where i would like to use the MF if im doing portratits. I know i can take the pics to the lab and have them

developed and put on cd's. I literally have no idea about scanning. Im obviously not going to do all my prints large for

personal use. I would imagine personal photos would be a large majority of the pics i take. What is the process. Do i

get the negatives developed and scan them myself? If so , what kind of quality scanner would i need. I would spend

up to 2k for one if necessary. I figure if im doing MF i should only use the best available equipment for my budget. Im

confused! I couldnt find the answer on the forum, im sure its there somewhere. I have no intentions now of doing my

own developing though i think i will probably take a shot at doing b/w's myself someday.

[Ed_Ingold]

You'd have to spend a lot more money to do better than a Nikon LS-9000. At 4000 ppi, it is grain-sharp and with a glass holder it is sharp from corner to corner. You could easily do a 30x40 inch enlargement with some resampling. Unless you get an $18,000 Scitex, flatbed scanners don't do medium format justice - you might as well stick with 35mm or a good DSLR. Other alternatives include an Imacon scanner ($12k+) or an occasional drum scan of your best work.

[q.g._de_bakker]

You do not even need to resample to create 30x40" prints from a Nikon scan. For prints of that size, a print resolution of 200 dpi will suffice.

[marek_fogiel]

I confirm that a dedicated film scanner is obligatory for quality work, and the CS9000 is the only in production scanner of

adequate level for a reasonable money. I'd also strongly advise you to develop your own B&W film, this will give you a

much better control and you will avoid the frustration of getting your negs back with air bubbles and/or scratches + dust to

cope with.

[martin_ywain]

Buy a flatbed like epson V750 will do if it's for personal use... If you're nuts about IQ, send it out for drum scans or dedicated scans at your local lab.

Why buy an elephant gun to shoot a chicken, especially when you'll already get excellent IQ out of your MF?

[eric_brody]

I am with the Nikon 9000 group. I have had one for a couple of years and the scans are quite impressive. I was able to find mine used, locally in like new condition and believe my MF prints with this scanner are sharper than my darkroom prints and I do essentially no sharpening in Photoshop. You do not want the scanner to be the weak link.

 

The RZ lenses are excellent, do develop your own black and white film, it's easy and will radically improve both the quality and the control you have over the process. As Edward said, you will need the glass carrier to realize all the quality from the Nikon. The bad news is that they are hard to find these days as are the glass carriers but if you persevere, you'll do ok.

 

Good luck.

 

Eric

[johnmarkpainter]

I Own an Epson Flatbed and just borrowed an older Nikon 8000 from a friend.

I am now BUYING the 8000 :)

 

It looks A LOT BETTER than Flatbed.

Even on small prints.

 

If you have the money, get the 9000 but the 8000 os good as well.

 

jmp

[alan_w1]

Totally agree with John P. I bought an Epson 750 and after using a friend's Nikon 9000 wish I had that instead. The Epson's ok. The Nikon is better. Hand's down. Anyone want to exchange?

[Lou_Meluso]

Guys, if your using an Epson v750 or 700 you need Doug Fishers custom medium format film holders.

 

http://www.betterscanning.com/

 

It turns a so-so film scanner into a terrific film scanner. A crediable, cost effective alternative to the Nikon, imho

[robert lee]

"I would spend up to 2k for one if necessary."

 

Get the CS9000 for the $2k.

 

Alternatively, get a $100 flatbed for 8x10 prints and send out the truly worthwhile frames for a commercial scan.

[rgraves]

Older Imacon Flextight scanners can be found on the used market from around $2000 up. The edge to edge sharpness and

speed is far better than the 9000, though they don't have ICE.

[anthonybagileo]

Thanks for all your responses. based on them ive concluded that theres no way on earth im gonna get the quality scan for a cheaper scanner opposed to the one used in the lab. I didnt realized until today that everyone scans for the most part and no one prints colors from the negatives for you. Am i wrong that you can still get the best print by direct print the old fashioned way from the negative, or is the difference from a top quality scan negligible. I suspect its not for a normal to mid size print. After listening to all your advice im concluding that scanning is the normal way to go. Im still doing my b/w's on my own the old fashioned way eventually. even my lab guy recommended that. thanks

[martin_ywain]

I suspect that colour hand printing paper are no longer produced.. besides, you'll need an enlarger made for colour printing