B&W Negatives Scanned in Color

[Kitch]

I've always used Nikon's Capture NX2 software for post processing. I shoot RAW files and never had a problem with with the software...not until I started scanning B&W negatives. It seems it doesn't recognize B&W and I have to scan using VueScan with the Media set to color negative profile in the Input. When I hit preview it comes out a weird shade of orange and finally a semblance of B&W from which I have to convert to B&W in CNX2. It never looks like it should.

I wish I could use some other software that would let me bypass having to scan a color negative in order for CNX2 to open the file. If I use B&W instead CNX2 won't open it. I'm not wild about going to Lightroom as that's just another long and laborious learning curve and I don't like the idea of a monthly fee over just buying it outright. Suggestions?

 

[jeffreyg]

I use Lasersoft's SilverFast scanning software. You can set what film you are using and whether or not you want to scan as negative (it will automatically convert to positive) or as a transparency ( it will remain a negative).
As a negative you can convert in PhotoShop. There are numerous other controls take a look at their website. I've used their software for 12+ years with no problems. I shoot film and wet print as well as digital. Just got out of the darkroom printing platinum/palladium from scanned film negatives enlarged and printed on to Pictorico transparent film to contact print with pt/pd.

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[Kitch]

I'm looking at one of the Plustex scanners over the V600 I have now. I think at least two of them come with SilverFast but I've read it's not the easiest software to use. I have VueScan already but there's not much of a variety of films to choose from and the ones I use(Tri-X and HP-5) are not listed, I have to resort to T-Max. Neither is many slide films in the list of negative brand/vendor.

As mentioned, I have CNX2, not Photoshop.

 

[pschwart]

I've always used Nikon's Capture NX2 software for post processing. I shoot RAW files and never had a problem with with the software...not until I started scanning B&W negatives. It seems it doesn't recognize B&W and I have to scan using VueScan with the Media set to color negative profile in the Input. When I hit preview it comes out a weird shade of orange and finally a semblance of B&W from which I have to convert to B&W in CNX2. It never looks like it should.

I wish I could use some other software that would let me bypass having to scan a color negative in order for CNX2 to open the file. If I use B&W instead CNX2 won't open it. I'm not wild about going to Lightroom as that's just another long and laborious learning curve and I don't like the idea of a monthly fee over just buying it outright. Suggestions?

We had this same discussion back in June If NX2 doesn't recognize grayscale images, scan your b&w negatives as RGB. You do *not* want to scan them as color negatives. Did you try this?

 

[Kitch]

Under "Media" in the Input there is no RGB choice. It's just Image, Slide film, Color Negative, or B&W Negative. I have to choose Color or CNX2 won't open it. The "Bits per Pixel" is 24 bit RGB, however.

In the "Output" tiff file type is 48 bit RGB.

 

[pschwart]

I am able to scan b&w negatives and open them in NX2 when they are scanned as 24- or 48-bit RGB and saved as JPGs.
I can then save the image from NX2 as a tif and reopen it in NX2. So much for ease of use, but it is possible to start with a film scan.
I am not an NX2 user, but it looks like it's primarily a raw converter, so Nikon expects you to start with a nef or nrw from one of their digital cameras.

Just to be clear: scan your negatives as Media=B/W negative, *not* Color negative.

 

[Kitch]

Yes, it's a RAW converter primarily but you have many options of post processing. You have to use their cameras to use the software but since I have a couple that's no problem. the only thing I've used it for besides the RAW converter has been these scans that I save as a .tif file. The software can open .tif, jpg or NEF, which is their version of RAW files-14 bit.

 

[pschwart]

Yes, it's a RAW converter primarily but you have many options of post processing. You have to use their cameras to use the software but since I have a couple that's no problem. the only thing I've used it for besides the RAW converter has been these scans that I save as a .tif file. The software can open .tif, jpg or NEF, which is their version of RAW files-14 bit.

Let's stay focused on the problem you reported. Are you able to scan b&w negatives and open the files in NX2 following the suggestions in my previous post?
The point being that you don't have to originate your image in a Nikon to use NX2, but I don't know why anyone would choose it if they didn't need to convert Nikon raw. NX2 is not going to replace a good editor for post-processing anyway.

 

[Kitch]

I can scan B&W negatives and open the files in NX2. That's not the problem I mentioned. The problem is I have to pretend their color negatives or NX2 won't open the file. Then, I have to convert them to B&W in NX2 or they have a funny cast to them, usually a mild sepia look. I've had that problem with it since day one. Once I change from B&W to Color Negative in the "Media" tab in ViewScan NX2 will open them and not until.

Bottom line is NX2 won't open a B&W negative.

 

[pschwart]

OK, I surrender. You can try what I suggested in #6, above, or continue to create more difficulties by declaring b&w negs to be color negs.
Bottom line: find a good editor for post-processing film scans. You don't need or want a raw converter for film scans.