Seeking tips on scanning 8x10 negatives with Epson flatbed scanner

noparking · Mar 18, 2013

I attempted my first scan of an 8x10" negative using an Epson V700 flatbed scanner and it's essentially garbage. Epson/Silverfast software was configured to scan a transparency with no film holder; neither software produced a good scan. I suspect the scanner requires the negative to placed under an 8x10 film area guide as is displayed on this web page: EPSON V700 review

However, it appears that Epson no longer includes this accessory with their V series products (it's not listed on the side of the box of the v700).

FWIW, I once read a post where a person modified an Epson v4900 scanner by removing the glass platen and replaced it with a frame made of plexiglass, and then would tightly tape the negative at its corners across the opening in the plexiglass; thereby, eliminating any potential glare from a glass platen. Anyone done a modification like this?

Any suggestions or advice would be welcome.

- Jeff

Pinholemaster · Mar 19, 2013

Yep that's pretty bad. Make sure you look at an on-line example of the 8" x 10" film area guide if it is available. The important feature of the 8x10 mask that came with my V750 is that there is a gap at the top of the mask before the scanner reaches the negative. For some reason the scanner needs to see blank white light before it starts scanning film. Don't put your negative to the top right corner of the scanner glass or you'll get these lines throughout your image.

Epson Perfection V750 Pro, FAQ - Technical Support - Epson America, Inc.

jd callow · Mar 19, 2013

it looks like a dirty light path to me. I'd clean everything from the light source through to the sensor.

noparking · Mar 19, 2013

Walt Calahan said:
Yep that's pretty bad. Make sure you look at an on-line example of the 8" x 10" film area guide if it is available. The important feature of the 8x10 mask that came with my V750 is that there is a gap at the top of the mask before the scanner reaches the negative. For some reason the scanner needs to see blank white light before it starts scanning film. Don't put your negative to the top right corner of the scanner glass or you'll get these lines throughout your image.

Epson Perfection V750 Pro, FAQ - Technical Support - Epson America, Inc.

I relocated the negative to leave a gap of about 1/2" between it and the back edge of the glass; and then retried. The scanned output now looks as expected.

But now a new problem has risen its ugly head - newtonian rings from the contact of negative to glass.

So I'm thinking of taking an Epson V500 and removing its glass platen and replacing it with a plexiglass boarder and open in the middle to avoid these rings?

L Gebhardt · Mar 19, 2013

I wouldn't leave the inside of the scanner open to the air. It will quickly fill with dust. Usually you get the best focus a few mm above the glass anyway, so look to make or buy a holder that suspends the film over the glass. Ideally you could adjust the height for optimal focus. Many peeple use Holders and Products for the Epson V700 V750 V750-M film holders, but they don't seem to support full 8x10 scanning. But look at the images and I think you can figure something out. Probably just a thin piece glass with a spacer at each corner would work if you wet mounted the film to it.

Doyle Thomas · Mar 23, 2013

"I relocated the negative to leave a gap of about 1/2" between it and the back edge of the glass"

if the 700 is like my 1680 there is a narrow peice of glass at the top with a seperator between that and the main platen. the upper narrow window is the calibration area and must be clean and clear.

on the rings, you can try cutting a peice of thin (black if you can find it) to size and laying your tran on top of that. another method is to use an non refraction oil. IDR what its called, try looking for scanner or scanning oil.
its the same stuff some use in liquid filled carriers for 810 enlargers. it is claimed that it will not only elminate rings but improve contrast and saturation as well.

pellicle · Mar 23, 2013

jd callow said:
it looks like a dirty light path to me. I'd clean everything from the light source through to the sensor.

that's how I see it too ... on a quick look that is

chuck94022 · Mar 28, 2013

Jeff, short of mounting the film under a piece of anti-newton ring glass, which is itself slightly shimmed above the platen as Larry suggests, you could try some anti-newton ring spray. It puts a very thin layer of something on the platen, which is just enough to kill the rings without affecting the image in any detectable way.

This link on apug has some info on the Tetenal spray, and some interesting alternative solutions: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

pellicle · Mar 31, 2013

Jeff, any answers or replies to indicate that you still have the problem / are still interested in having help?

you didn't put the image on the glass right up against the edge of the scan area did you?

Seeking tips on scanning 8x10 negatives with Epson flatbed scanner

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