New to 35mm Film - Horrible Images or Bad Scanning? Opinions Needed

[L Gebhardt]

It's impossible to tell how good of a job the scanner did when the image is presented so small. I see a bit of dust, but that's not the scanner's fault (and it's fixable in photoshop). The issue I have with the picture is it's too busy, and the framing isn't pleasing to my eye. I would have tried to position the subject so there isn't the hard line of a book case protruding from her head. Cropping off the top of the image would help a lot (eliminating the distracting hole in the ceiling). A plain background might help a bit, but so could a more interesting one. It looks like there was some nice light in the other rooms of the house. Maybe a shot near one of the windows visible in the background. In other words it may not be the film or the equipment that cause you to not like the image. Sorry to a bit blunt.

 

[thegman]

Appreciate the advice, I'm used to 1200 to 2400 being enough with MF.

It's a combination of portability and access that brought me to 35mm. The leica is subtle, light, and is always with me. I can't compare a negative from the RB67 but I just can't toss that in my bag real quick when leaving the door. 35 is more of an every day life format, if that makes sense.


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I get that, and I've tried a few times to get back into 35mm, for the smaller cameras. The fact is though, unless we're talking Rollei 35 or something, 35mm cameras aren't enough smaller than medium format for me. My 6x6 Zeiss Super Ikonta III was a fair bit smaller and lighter than any Leica kit I've owned.

I've seen comparisons which show Ektar 100 showing more detail than a EOS 5D MkII, so the resolution is there for the taking, but does require a decent scanner.

I think I'll probably end up ditching 35mm, except for a little autofocus compact.

 

[pbromaghin]

I think you're just not used to the lower quality of 35mm. It's not a great pic, but it's not real bad, either. I don't know enough to say anything about the quality of the scan.

 

[Dan Daniel]

For one thing, your v600 is very limited in terms of the scan quality.

Exactly. Working with a V600 will be very demanding. And slow. But it can be done. You'll need to search out scanning techniques; best on other sites (hint: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=148). I've used it for 12x18 inch prints that have been well received.

 

[jd callow]

Guys this really isn't Apug material. If you think the issues with the image has to do with scanning and you wish to continue that line of discussion you really should not do it here. Apug' sister site Dpug would be a better location.

Thanx.

 

[dodphotography]

Guys this really isn't Apug material. If you think the issues with the image has to do with scanning and you wish to continue that line of discussion you really should not do it here. Apug' sister site Dpug would be a better location.

Thanx.

The original question was in regards to my lack of experience with a specific film stock vs a scan quality issue to determine what was exactly going on. It may have morphed into the latter from other people but is this forum really like this? Jesus


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[coigach]

No, not everybody is a narcissist or a exhibitionist in need of praise. There's plenty of "Vivian Maier" photographers still around.

Modesty, eh.

I'm willing to bet there are not many Vivian Maier's amongst those on APUG who choose not to let others see their work...

 

[PhotoJim]

The original question was in regards to my lack of experience with a specific film stock vs a scan quality issue to determine what was exactly going on. It may have morphed into the latter from other people but is this forum really like this?

Every other website and forum about photography has a high amount of digital content. This place is the oasis where we don't talk about it. What's why DPUG was launched.

I enjoy it being that way - I print my film optically because I enjoy it that way more. The other sites have a lot of people talking about shooting film and scanning it; here we have a lot of posts by people shooting film and printing it in a darkroom.

The Internet is a big place! There are places that'll talk to you about the scanning if you want - this just isn't the place.

That leaves lots left and I hope you'll stick around; this really is a special place.

 

[winger]

The original question was in regards to my lack of experience with a specific film stock vs a scan quality issue to determine what was exactly going on. It may have morphed into the latter from other people but is this forum really like this? Jesus


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And just to note, the person who gently reminded that detailed scanning issues are better left to DPUG is a moderator. There's a link to DPUG at the top of the page and I believe you can use your same login there as here (I don't remember if you have to register separately, but most use their same handle). While many of here know and use digital and are well-versed in scanning, APUG is intended as an oasis from those discussions - hence DPUG. It was not necessarily you who were being reminded, but also those who took it further into scanning than just your original query.

 

[pentaxuser]

OP it seems to me that you need to get a print at say 5x7 or 8x10 done and then determine if that print meets your requirements as a print. If it doesn't and this cannot be cured by changing DoF or other factors that affect exposure and have nothing to do with it being a 35mm neg per se then it would seem that 35mm negative photography is not for you and the answer is to remain with MF where you are satisfied with the prints you get.

I am assuming all along that you have prints from MF. Unless you have prints done in both media which you can compare then I don't know how you reach a decision.

I thought that the scan of the 35mm indicated that a print of it would be OK but that's me. Only you can decide if it's OK for you but you do need a print in you hand for that decision.

pentaxuser