Scanning negatives - Wash before scan?

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

Hi all,

I've got a build up of rolls of BW negatives, and I've just bought an Epson V500.

I just wondered, before I cut up the negatives into strips of 4, should I do a quick wash on the negatives to get any dust off? I don't yet have any film holder wallets, so I've been storing the rolls inside empty developing tanks for now.

So are there any recommendations before scanning? Due to my poor storage of the rolls, I imagine there's going to be a lot of curl on the negatives

Thanks so much for all advice!

Worker 11811 · Jun 18, 2013

No, just use a few puffs of canned air. Do the same as you would if you were putting them into an enlarger.

Do get some proper film storage supplies! http://www.printfile.com/35mm-negative-pages.aspx

Ghostman · Jun 18, 2013

So, you're about to enter the world of scanning negatives. You're about to enter a world of pain.

keep the place clean and free of dust
cover the scanner with a non static thingy
keep your negatives clean storage sheets
watch out for gaseous discharge that tends to fog the inside of V series scanners
consider betterscanning ANR scanning holders
architect some kind of archival storage system, digital contacts are probably not a bad idea either.

Have fun!

Noble · Jun 18, 2013

Only you can answer that question. If you developed, washed and dried the film in a clean environment I don't see why storing film in a developing tank would make it more dusty. I would think it would be the opposite since it is a sealed container. If there was no dust in there when put the film in there will be none now. Rewashing film creates new opportunities to screw up your negatives. I wouldn't do it unless I was getting rid of water marks or something like that that won't come of with some canned air.

Ghostman is right. No matter how meticulous you are you will have dust specks that show up on your scanned negative. Before I scan I wipe all my work surfaces and the outside of my scanner down with a damp sponge. Be sure to stock up on canned air and get a soft lense cleaning brush or similar to knock dust off your negatives. Sometimes canned air doesn't quite get the job done. Don't be annoyed if there are a few small dust spots. They are unavoidable. After scanning you will need to allot some time for a healing brush PS session.

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

Thanks for all the tips guys! Definately need to invest in some storage wallets. I need organisation!

Well...I've cut off the first four frames and just done a scan. Digital ICE did something really weird.. (see attachment). I assume that was it's attempt to remove dust.
So I've turned off ICE and this time it came out okay.

I'm certainly going to keep an eye out for a BetterScanning holder being sold.

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

Ooooooo!! I've just opened the scan in photoshop. The definition is quite impressive for a 2400 dpi scan.

Ghostman · Jun 18, 2013

djs88 said:
Thanks for all the tips guys! Definately need to invest in some storage wallets. I need organisation!

Well...I've cut off the first four frames and just done a scan. Digital ICE did something really weird.. (see attachment). I assume that was it's attempt to remove dust.
So I've turned off ICE and this time it came out okay.

I'm certainly going to keep an eye out for a BetterScanning holder being sold.

Turn off all auto correcting/Dust removal/sharpening on ICE. Silverfast have a pretty good forum BTW.

jp498 · Jun 18, 2013

Dust them off with air or antistatic brush. Only re-wash them if you can't get the grime off without a soak.

When they are clean (and dry) put them into printfile pages and they will be flat in them.

The details of scanning are verboten on the forum, but keep the scanning area clean.

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

Thanks for the silverfast forum recommendation. I'll check that out.
One more question. What would be the best way to attempt to recover a really really overexposed negative? Is everything done with the exposure controls in Epson? Or is Silverfast the better option for having more control over the scans?

Worker 11811 · Jun 18, 2013

Digital ICE is not for black and white, silver halide negative. Only for color and chromogenic black and white. Turn it off.

ToddB · Jun 18, 2013

I had that happen a couple of times. Just re-scanned it. Should take care of that. Watch for Morie pattern too. I would concur with everyone. Just blow off Negs.

Todd

zsas · Jun 18, 2013

Hi Djs - A discussion on how to dodge/burn/brightness/contrast/etc. using an enlarger is in scope for this forum; however, discussions re how to do such using a scanner and/or post processing software is out of scope of Apug. Though Apug's sister site DPUG.org, is a great place to post such questions re getting recovery of over exposure, etc. I mean this with most sincerity and hope this comes across as being guiding

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

Absolutely, Andy! I've had only the most helpful responses on APUG. And I understand it's dedicated to analog. I got a bit carried away!

Prof_Pixel · Jun 18, 2013

djs88 said:
Digital ICE did something really weird..

You can't use Digital ICE on B&W silver films; it only works with dye images. Dye images are transparent to the IR light used, while dust (and silver images aren't).

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

Prof_Pixel said:
You can't use Digital ICE on B&W silver films; it only works with dye images. Dye images are transparent to the IR light used, while dust (and silver images aren't).

Thanks for tips with that! I'll make sure it's left off always.

Turns out I've not been careful enough handling some negs, I can see a fingerprint!!

Worker 11811 · Jun 18, 2013

The most important reason for steering digital/hybrid questions to DPUG is for archival purposes. A month from now, somebody who wants answers to their scanning questions is likely to search the forums for information. Keeping the "D" questions in the "D" forum and the "A" questions in the "A" forum makes the search process easier.

Nothing wrong with a one-sentence answer but, beyond that, keep the ducks in a row.

gus. · Jun 18, 2013

DJ, if you see spots on your negs you can also consider photographic emulsion cleaner spray paired with lint-free pads (pec pad).

tron_ · Jun 18, 2013

I also have an Epson V500 and usually I will just wipe the scanner bed with an eyeglass cloth and blow the negatives off (careful not to spit on your negatives haha).

djs88 · Jun 18, 2013

tron_ said:
I also have an Epson V500 and usually I will just wipe the scanner bed with an eyeglass cloth and blow the negatives off (careful not to spit on your negatives haha).

Managed to spit on the scanner glass already today Glad im making all the mistakes now though and not in the future.

Thanks for everyones helpful responses. Amazed at how many people jump in to help here! Really cool

ParkerSmithPhoto · Jun 18, 2013

PecPads are like dust magnets. I use them before printing negs in the darkroom, before scanning negs, and I even use them to clean my sensor. Take two, keep them in a separate bag and use them over and over. Nothing grabs dust better than PecPads!

Poisson Du Jour · Jun 18, 2013

No wash before scan. Extravagent and precious.
Just swipe with anti-static cloth (e.g. Ilford's).

gus. · Jun 18, 2013

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
PecPads are like dust magnets. I use them before printing negs in the darkroom, before scanning negs, and I even use them to clean my sensor. Take two, keep them in a separate bag and use them over and over. Nothing grabs dust better than PecPads!

Really? I gotta do some testing now! Wish I wasn't on the road working.

Tony Egan · Jun 19, 2013

I am about 10% through a project of scanning every colour neg I have made since 1979. I use a branded film cleaning solution (mainly isopropyl alcohol) and pec pads. A wet pad and a dry pad which I replace after every 4 or 5 pages.
Clean with the wet pad and a dab of solution followed by a dry pad wipe down. The before and after is quite noticeable on 30 year old colour negs which have been kept in sleeves in a mostly clean and dry cupboard. It is also evident that colour negs will not last forever and some labs and films are/were much better than others!
I also tend to inherit all the old family B&W negs. For some (e.g. roll-your-own, chain-smoking grandfather) I have soaked and washed in a mild detergent rubbing gently with a pec pad and then rinsed in washaid, dried and finished finally with the process above. Was successful in removing specs of tobacco and other unidentified dirt from some of the worst affected.

clayne · Jun 19, 2013

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
PecPads are like dust magnets. I use them before printing negs in the darkroom, before scanning negs, and I even use them to clean my sensor. Take two, keep them in a separate bag and use them over and over. Nothing grabs dust better than PecPads!

Yep PEC pads are awesome. I use them with naphtha for cleaning lenses, scanner glass, and negatives. Best thing ever.

djs88 · Jun 19, 2013

Wow, the Pec pads sound ace. About £10 here in the UK for 100. I think I'll buy some for a rainy day!

Scanning negatives - Wash before scan?

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency