Strip artifacts in scanned image?

Arne Lin · Mar 31, 2023

Hello good people of Photrio,

I am scanning some 6 x 4.5 nagatives and I get these weird strips in the scan:

You see it most clearly on top of the Coca Cola flag.
Is that just a broken scanner that I should throw in the trash or is there anything that can be done?
Does anyone have experience with this problem?

Thanks to all,
have a beautiful weekend.

Arne

brbo · Mar 31, 2023

Details (scanner, scanning process…)?

grat · Mar 31, 2023

It looks like the kind of artifact Epson scanners throw up when the calibration area needs cleaning.

Arne Lin · Mar 31, 2023

Hello,

Thanks for the answers, it's an Epson scanner indeed.

grat said:
It looks like the kind of artifact Epson scanners throw up when the calibration area needs cleaning.

That sounds like it could be the reason. How is that done?

brbo · Mar 31, 2023

There is also severe light bleeding on the sides (from unexposed parts of the negative). This scanner must have very dirty light path and glass plate.

Start by thoroughly cleaning the entire glass bed (calibration area is simply the very top section of the glass bed).

grat · Mar 31, 2023

Arne Lin said:
Hello,

Thanks for the answers, it's an Epson scanner indeed.

That sounds like it could be the reason. How is that done?

Clean the glass, and possibly the holder-- there's an area on the film holders that the scanner uses to self-calibrate.

brbo · Mar 31, 2023

By the looks of it, OP is not using any holders.

Just clean the entire glass bed, especially the very top end. And then be sure not to place anything in that top area as anything in that area could mess with the calibration (which might be done before every scan - depends on the scanner).

250swb · Apr 11, 2023

It's the negative, most likely light leaks in the camera. The leak is coming from the back of the camera because the hue is orange, meaning the light is coming through the film base before reaching the emulsion. Often a leak like this becomes invisible on the negative if the film is wound and used quickly because the film doesn't have the time to be affected. If you can remember any shots taken within seconds of each other check those to see if they are any better.

Strip artifacts in scanned image?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency