Low price scanner for wet plates?

[-chrille-]

I need some kind of setup to digitalize my 5x7 ambrotype wet plates. I have a Fuji X-T3 that yield more than enough quality for showing the plates on the net but the glare in the glossy surface of glass plate is a pain in the ass to get rid off.

Would a low price scanner be a good enough solution for digitalizing wet plates for posting the photos on the net like Photrio and Flickr where most usually use a smartphone for browsing through photos?

I am looking at the Epson Perfection V39II. Also Canon have scanners in that price range. I am using Mac.

 

[MattKing]

I expect that the reason you haven't had much response to this yet is that it will likely be really difficult to scan an Ambrotype.
Given the nature of Ambrotypes, I wouldn't have any issue with raising the subject of how to share and display an Ambrotype in the Alternative Processes sub-forum - perhaps you can link to this thread from a thread there.

 

[koraks]

I have a Fuji X-T3 that yield more than enough quality for showing the plates on the net but the glare in the glossy surface of glass plate is a pain in the ass to get rid off.

A polarizer helps, although you can get good results without using one and just looking for advantageous lighting. That's what I did most of the time.

This was photographed with the plate lying on the dinner table; no filters, artificial light sources or anything. Just light from the window.

 

[retina_restoration]

If you are making ambrotypes, just scan them as a negative (transparency mode) rather than reflective. This will give you the best results, IMO. But for this, you will need to set up something to backlight the plate, or get a flatbed scanner. I use an Epson V-750 scanner.

 

[tnp651]

If you're truly making ambrotypes (a very thin negative on clear glass) then retina_restoration's suggestion is the best one. If you're making collodion images on black glass, use a standard copy setup with the lights at 45° to the plate. Try not to illuminate the ceiling to avoid reflections. You may need to shoot through a hole in a black card to avoid a reflection of the camera.

 

[-chrille-]

Thank you all for input. I have only done tintypes since I posted this thread and just forget to update. Tintypes I find is easy to photograph and dont show as much reflection as ambrotypes.

I think a digital camera is the easiest way to digitalize plates. With tintype I just use diffuse window light, camera on tripod with a black card to eliminate reflections. I digitalize the plate before i varnish them. With ambrotypes I still struggle to get rid of reflections. I will try some more.

Edit: so I have dropped the idea of a scanner. I continue using my Fuji X-T3. Maybe try a 50mm enlarger lens instead of Fuji 35mm f/2 if I can find a suitable adapter.