DSLR Camera Settings for Scanning of B&W Film

[Alan9940]

The light source I use is a Eyesen LED panel. Color temp 10,000k - 12,0000k. Is this adequate?

That's quite blue light at that temp, but it won't matter with B&W film. Scanning color would be a different story.

 

[Manny A]

That's quite blue light at that temp, but it won't matter with B&W film. Scanning color would be a different story.

I have been scanning some old color negatives. What would be the better light source for color negatives?

 

[bags27]

If you do a lot of scanning, it's worth getting one of these from Vlad (a great guy and you can support Ukraine at the same time, if the spirit moves):

Digitize Your Film with Confidence - Introduction Page

For film camera users: Hi-Res Test Targets on 35 mm, type 120 and 4x5" film, USAF 1951 Charts for film scanning with DSLR or mirrorless camera

film4ever-digital.blogspot.com

I've shot with two macros, testing all apertures from f/4 to f/16. One is sharpest at f/5.6, the other at f/11. Neither at the proverbial f/8. Go figure.

I don't worry too much about light balance (though I do have a very good light source). After scanning, it goes through a "developer" (Neg Master or Neg Lab Pro) and then Photoshop anyway. Sharpness for me is everything.

 

[Manny A]

If you do a lot of scanning, it's worth getting one of these from Vlad (a great guy and you can support Ukraine at the same time, if the spirit moves):

Digitize Your Film with Confidence - Introduction Page

For film camera users: Hi-Res Test Targets on 35 mm, type 120 and 4x5" film, USAF 1951 Charts for film scanning with DSLR or mirrorless camera

film4ever-digital.blogspot.com

I've shot with two macros, testing all apertures from f/4 to f/16. One is sharpest at f/5.6, the other at f/11. Neither at the proverbial f/8. Go figure.

I don't worry too much about light balance (though I do have a very good light source). After scanning, it goes through a "developer" (Neg Master or Neg Lab Pro) and then Photoshop anyway. Sharpness for me is everything.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Alan9940]

I have been scanning some old color negatives. What would be the better light source for color negatives?

Something in the range of 5,000 - 5,500K (daylight color temp) should minimize any messing around to get a good starting base for your color.