V700 custom holders

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yardkat

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May 24, 2006
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Hi everyone,
I have an Epson V700 that I use with either the Epson scan software or Silverfast Ai. I've been scanning prints for awhile but have just started learning to scan negatives. I've got some old family negs that I'm trying to learn on, and of course they are all odd sizes. I've got some 126, some superslides, and some negs that are 3.5x5.75. I've experimented using the holders, or placing the negs right on the scanner glass, and seems like I get sharper scans in the holders, but of course the holders mask off parts of the image. That wouldn't bother me if I could pick which parts were getting masked off but it doesn't always work out how I wish. I'd kinda like to keep people's heads in the picture if at all possible. :wink: So I am toying with the idea of the holder from betterscanning.com that will allow me to use a holder with different size negs. And I can use it for my own medium format as well when I get to that point. It seems pretty versatile.
I've thought of just using cardboard or some paperboard to make a mask, but how do I get it to the right size thickness so it will be sharp and in focus? And the small pieces of sheet film have a ton of curl and are hard to keep flat as it's pretty thick film, I'm afraid cardboard wouldn't really keep it really flat.

Anyway, I guess my question is are the betterscanning holders worth it, or am I missing something about being able to scan right on the scanner glass? I'll admit that these scans aren't super important, but eventually I do want to make decent neg scans from my own work anyway. I also just got an inkjet printer so not only am I trying to figure out the scanning thing, I'm also trying to figure out the printer thing, so I'm full of questions, ideas, thoughts, half-formed knowledge, uncertainties, sore from sitting in front of the computer for hours, loss of cash...:wink:

Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice!
Julie
 

resummerfield

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I’ve run into the exact same situation, scanning old family negs in a variety of sizes. The holders don’t work for all neg sizes, such as 126, and Superslides, and there are neg sizes that don’t fit any holder. I even tried the Better Scanning holder, but it wasn’t any better.

Most of my negatives are flat and uncurled, and my best results were placing these negatives directly on the scanner glass, but with the emulsion facing down, against the glass, to minimize Newton rings. Scanning with the emulsion down will reverse the image, but that is easily “flipped” in PhotoShop (or similar program).

Occasionally I have a negative that is slightly curled, and I’ll tape that neg down on the scanner glass by the corners, emulsion down as before.

I place mounted slides directly on the scanner glass, but I can place these emulsion up since the mount holds the film slightly off the glass and eliminates Newton rings. Then I don’t have to “flip” them in PhotoShop.

Epson Scan allows me to set the scanning height or focus on the scanning glass as opposed to the holders. There may be a similar function in Silverfast Ai, but I haven’t found it.

This process takes more time because each image must be “cut out” and cropped in PhotoShop. But once you get your workflow established, one scan can be manipulated in PS while the scanner is busy scanning the next.

The Epson holders will allow for a more automated process, but I’ve only been able to use them with the regular 35mm film and mounted 35mm slides.

Good luck!
 

donbga

Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
3,053
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Large Format Pan
Hi everyone,
I have an Epson V700 that I use with either the Epson scan software or Silverfast Ai. I've been scanning prints for awhile but have just started learning to scan negatives. I've got some old family negs that I'm trying to learn on, and of course they are all odd sizes. I've got some 126, some superslides, and some negs that are 3.5x5.75. I've experimented using the holders, or placing the negs right on the scanner glass, and seems like I get sharper scans in the holders, but of course the holders mask off parts of the image. That wouldn't bother me if I could pick which parts were getting masked off but it doesn't always work out how I wish. I'd kinda like to keep people's heads in the picture if at all possible. :wink: So I am toying with the idea of the holder from betterscanning.com that will allow me to use a holder with different size negs. And I can use it for my own medium format as well when I get to that point. It seems pretty versatile.
I've thought of just using cardboard or some paperboard to make a mask, but how do I get it to the right size thickness so it will be sharp and in focus? And the small pieces of sheet film have a ton of curl and are hard to keep flat as it's pretty thick film, I'm afraid cardboard wouldn't really keep it really flat.

Anyway, I guess my question is are the betterscanning holders worth it, or am I missing something about being able to scan right on the scanner glass? I'll admit that these scans aren't super important, but eventually I do want to make decent neg scans from my own work anyway. I also just got an inkjet printer so not only am I trying to figure out the scanning thing, I'm also trying to figure out the printer thing, so I'm full of questions, ideas, thoughts, half-formed knowledge, uncertainties, sore from sitting in front of the computer for hours, loss of cash...:wink:

Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice!
Julie

Yes the Better Scanning holders are an excellent value, I'm a happy customer as I have several of their products including the adjustable height wet mount holder and 120 holder which will work fine for smaller roll film sizes.


Don Bryant
 

ajmiller

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Joined
Apr 1, 2007
Messages
642
Location
North Yorkshire, UK
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Multi Format
Epson Scan allows me to set the scanning height or focus on the scanning glass as opposed to the holders. There may be a similar function in Silverfast Ai, but I havent found it.

Eric, how do you so this?
Is it via the Film (with film holder) or Film (with film area guide) setting?
or am I missing something?
cheers
 

resummerfield

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Jan 28, 2005
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1,467
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.....Is it via the Film (with film holder) or Film (with film area guide) setting?

That's it. The film area guide setting places the focus on the scanner glass, and the film holder setting raises it up a few mm. I don't know the precise amounts, but everything seems to be in focus.
 
OP
OP
yardkat

yardkat

Member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
172
Location
Salt Lake Ci
Format
Multi Format
Yes, thank you!
I haven't had time yet to play with setting the films right on the glass, but thank you for the info about the film guide. I'm sure that will help with my focus issue.
I may still get the fancy film holders, I haven't decided yet. I shouldn't spend the money right now, so I'll play with the scanner and see what results I get with my odd size film. I have tried taping the negs right to the glass, but some are really stiff and pull the tape right up. Usually mid scan. :wink:
Thank you again for your opinions!
Julie
 

pellicle

Member
Joined
May 25, 2006
Messages
1,175
Location
Finland
Format
4x5 Format
Hi

I've thought of just using cardboard or some paperboard to make a mask, but how do I get it to the right size thickness so it will be sharp and in focus? And the small pieces of sheet film have a ton of curl and are hard to keep flat as it's pretty thick film, I'm afraid cardboard wouldn't really keep it really flat.

I was just about to suggest exactly that to you. I used (quite successfully) the same sort of carboard mat board which is used in picture framing. Sandwich the neg in the custom holder and you're away.

Just make sure you don't block the very top of the scan glass where calibartion takes place (there is a U cut out of the holder in that area with a don't block symbol)

you'll probably find that the thickness of the card will be enough, but if you're super worried about it use two or three sheets on the bottom.

Have a read of this post, and if you can get the concept there you may see why altering height is more than just focus related. So the "area of best height" will also depend on if you're scanning colour or black and white (like using only the green channel).

see how you go
 
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