Green lines in scan

[Camcoldest]

I'm having an issue and I'm trying to determine if it's a scanning issue, or a lab/develop issue.

In all of color negatives I'm having these green lines running through them, in b&w there are no issues. I'm hoping it's a lab issue, but they permanently closed the day after I picked up these negatives so I don't have the option of talking with them. I've attached a photo from separate porta 400 rolls that are exhibiting the green lines, and b&w that doesn't have any issue.

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[Camcoldest]

Also, I should note, I'm scanning these myself with an Epson V600 and Negative Lab Pro.

Thanks!

 

[MattKing]

I can't see the green lines you mention in the most likely re-sized images you downloaded.
But generally speaking, lines in scans often men dirt in scanners.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I'm having an issue and I'm trying to determine if it's a scanning issue, or a lab/develop issue.

In all of color negatives I'm having these green lines running through them, in b&w there are no issues. I'm hoping it's a lab issue, but they permanently closed the day after I picked up these negatives so I don't have the option of talking with them. I've attached a photo from separate porta 400 rolls that are exhibiting the green lines, and b&w that doesn't have any issue.

Thanks in advance for the info!

Well, all I can say is that I had a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III that had exactly same thing (just one line exactly on center running across). It was showing in B&W (never scanned a color neg). Seller who sold me that one, sent me a scan before shipment from it without the line. He offered me another (same model) scanner at half price (that meant $40) and sent me a clean scan from that one before I accepted the deal. Once received, my scan had the line again, somewhat fainter, but still there.

Note that while I had received both scanners with all frames, neither came with a power supply. I used an after market supply, with correct voltage of course. Meanwhile I bought a brand new Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II, a somewhat similar looking, but superior scanner (and a fine one to this day). This was a full package as from factory. Using the power supply & USB cable from this scanner eradicated the line from Scan Dual III scans. Without further research, I just concluded that the line was a result of some sort of cable/power supply effect.

I will add that what Matt says about dirt is a distinct possibility too, but the problem with that to me is that scan still shows actual detail under the line, it is just of different background so to speak.

 

[shutterfinger]

Examine the negatives carefully, if the green streaks are there then it was the processing, if not carefully clean the scanner bed glass and transparency glass being certain not to leave a streak of any kind.
If the streaks are not on the negatives and continue on scans after bed/transparency glass cleaning then the under side of the bed and the mirrors and the side of the transparency glass that is only accessible when the transparency adapter is disassembled need cleaning, again no streaks!

Older scanners gassed out leaving a residue on the components in the optical path. Newer scanners do not gass out as fast as the older ones but will eventually need cleaning. Epson encased the sensor, lens, and some mirrors in a block that is sealed and cannot be opened.
I use Microdear heavyweight microfiber lens cleaning cloth for the final wipe down of scanner optical components and bed glass. (available at Adorama).

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I can't see the green lines you mention in the most likely re-sized images you downloaded.
But generally speaking, lines in scans often men dirt in scanners.

Matt, the lines are there, look at the stairs image. There are 3 of them, center and on both sides equally spaced.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Every

Examine the negatives carefully, if the green streaks are there then it was the processing, if not carefully clean the scanner bed glass and transparency glass being certain not to leave a streak of any kind.
If the streaks are not on the negatives and continue on scans after bed/transparency glass cleaning then the under side of the bed and the mirrors and the side of the transparency glass that is only accessible when the transparency adapter is disassembled need cleaning, again no streaks!

Every scan on flatbed with lines caused by dirt has sharp line that has no detail of any kind. Not the case here, hence I don't believe it can be a dirt in this case. Note also the location of these lines, a near impossibility to have dirt so perfectly spaced out.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

There are actually more than 3 lines, all equally spaced and also outside the image, so running all the way across the scan. If negatives look clear on that, I would try a different USB cable or different software.

Also, as for B&W frame, have you scanned as grey scale or color? If grey scale, then try to scan it as color neg and see if you get the lines. I always scan B&W negs in color mode, never tried my case in B&W mode, so no idea if I would have had similar difference. If color mode produces the lines on B&W negs too, it might be software processing too.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

THIS link may have some points.

 

[shutterfinger]

Some glass cleaners will leave streaks. Dirt causes lines but streaks from a glass cleaner or streaks from wiping down the bed glass may cause streaks in the scan.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Some glass cleaners will leave streaks. Dirt causes lines but streaks from a glass cleaner or streaks from wiping down the bed glass may cause streaks in the scan.

These are perfectly spaced, so chances are improbable for it to be human introduced.

 

[George Collier]

Are these scanned in the same position on the film holder? If from multiple positions, then is there a way to rotate them 90 degrees on the scanner bed (or can you just lay them on the glass of the scanner and scan both ways?) to see if the lines rotate also. If so, then almost certainly the scanner is doing this.
I also like the B&W neg idea, scan in color and see what you get.

 

[MattKing]

Matt, the lines are there, look at the stairs image. There are 3 of them, center and on both sides equally spaced.

After adjusting the angle of my screen I see the problem now - I was looking for thin lines, while these are wide patterns of lighter green.
Are the lines parallel with the edge of the scanning area or parallel with the space between frames?

 

[Bud Hamblen]

The streaks show pretty clearly in the inter-frame space visible on the left side of the picture on "color 2.JPG". If you scan a known good film strip and still get the streaks blame the scanner. If the streaks aren't there blame the lab. If the lab was in financial trouble the machine might not have been maintained properly.

 

[pbromaghin]

This is a long-known Epson issue. Google is your friend - I can't remember exactly what is recommended because I don't scan a lot of color and was able to correct in photoshop when I did encounter it. I think it had to do with cleaning the scanner.

 

[Camcoldest]

So I should have prefaced even futher, the scanner was brand new out of the box. I also went back and did these via dslr on a lightbox and had the same issues. I haven't gotten my hands on any other confirmed good film negatives to scan in, but I asked around and it sounds like other people were having issues with the lab.

I appreciate everyone's input and help. This forum is an absolute wealth of knowledge. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 88956]

So I should have prefaced even futher, the scanner was brand new out of the box. I also went back and did these via dslr on a lightbox and had the same issues. I haven't gotten my hands on any other confirmed good film negatives to scan in, but I asked around and it sounds like other people were having issues with the lab.

I appreciate everyone's input and help. This forum is an absolute wealth of knowledge. Thanks!

But in that case you should be able to see the lines in the negatives, at least under a loupe.

 

[pbromaghin]

This is a long-known Epson issue. Google is your friend - I can't remember exactly what is recommended because I don't scan a lot of color and was able to correct in photoshop when I did encounter it. I think it had to do with cleaning the scanner.

I withdraw this post. I should have looked at the posted pics first. Duh.

 

[shutterfinger]

So I should have prefaced even futher, the scanner was brand new out of the box.

Does not mean it will work properly.

I also went back and did these via dslr on a lightbox and had the same issues.

I agree with our colleague in Poland, those streaks should be visible on the negative with a good loupe. A 135 format 50mm lens used in reverse make a good loupe.

 

[Trail Images]

Anytime I ever had lines show up in scans I had to use low pressure air to blow the scan open bay are out. I think I would get dust on the scan element / head at times. Regardless, each time I did it it immediately resolved the issue.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Anytime I ever had lines show up in scans I had to use low pressure air to blow the scan open bay are out. I think I would get dust on the scan element / head at times. Regardless, each time I did it it immediately resolved the issue.

Surely that is possible, except we now hear negatives show same stuff in other types of scanning leading to one conclusion: it's on the negative. Since these lines are equally spaced they now appear to me as from rollers or other in-path component in the processing machine causing streaked development.

 

[Trail Images]

Surely that is possible, except we now hear negatives show same stuff in other types of scanning leading to one conclusion: it's on the negative. Since these lines are equally spaced they now appear to me as from rollers or other in-path component in the processing machine causing streaked development.

Agreed.....