Negative Scanners

[SPIT]

Hi
Just a quick question,,"Can a NEGATIVE SCANNER be used as an ordinary scanner if needed ????, :confused::ok:

[bnt]

When I used a (borrowed) film scanner a few years ago, it did both just fine. The difference between scanning negatives and slide film was essentially in the software, which did the conversion of the raw data from the scanner to the desired image type. (Other scanners might be different = can you find details online from e.g. the manufacturer?)

[green granite]

It depends what you mean by "ordinary scanner" if you mean copying documents then not Usually. I use a Plusteck film scanner which does negs or slides at a good resolution and is relatively cheap.

[621andy]

I was just going to start a thread on the 'opposite' subject, then found this!

Can a normal scanner scan negatives and convert them to positives?

I've got a boxload of negs and am looking for a suitable scanner to 'do' them and also scan prints. As far as I can see, the reasonably priced ones(upto 200€) only list 'positives' ie slides as being possible...ideas anyone?

I've got RAW software and Photyshop elements already- can they do the job?

Ta in advance!

Andy

[P.Pilcher]

The most effective way of scanning a negative or film transparency is by shining a light through it. Ordinary document scanners do not do this as documents cannot (obviously) be scanned in this way. A scanner designed for the scanning of film media possibly as well as ordinary dicuments (like mine) will have in its software package the facility to "invert" a scanned image to provide a positive from a negative image and, if required, vice versa.

P.P.

[Loose rivets]

We've or I've talked about this in the past. I'm always on the lookout for getting a good job done for minimum cost. Take no notice of the stripping my 3170 down. There was probably nothing wrong with it but the driving software. :( However, it's a lot better now it's had a good clean.



http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/274960-super-scanner.html


http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/251876-scanning-colour-slides-pc.html


http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/227349-scanning-lots-negatives-slides.html#post2607520

http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/208732-scanning-photos.html#post2365160

http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/208732-scanning-photos.html#post2362869

[green granite]

Or look here, there are 112 film scanners on offer.

film scanners, Film Camera Accessories, Other Photography, Darkroom Developing items at low prices on eBay.co.uk (http://photography.shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_npmv=3&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=film+scanners&_sacat=625)

[seacue]

My Epson 2400 PHOTO flatbed scanner has a backlight which allows scanning of slides and film strips, positive or negative. I just reactivated it after a year of rest. The colors are good, though I'll grant you that the resolution won't compete with a high-end dedicated film scanner.

I was motivated the reactivate this scanner after trying out a US$99 USB film/slide scanner. The colors and handling of wide ranges of brightness by the USB scanner were unacceptable to me.

[Loose rivets]

As I mentioned, I paid $70 inc carriage, for my 3170 PHOTO. That was refurbished. I often find that the UK price is about the same figure in Sterling.

Today, I see the Epson 4490 at $139.99, this is about $100 less than the price 18 months ago. The soft that comes with this is better than mine, but the issue of the poor plastic 35mm film holders is a big one in my opinion, but at this price, it takes the edge off the grumble.


Really, I would be hard pushed to get a better copy than the 4490 gives. It always exceeded by far, my most demanding search for detail. The picture of me aged <1 with my mother posted as an example a while back, had been a dirty neg for most of my life. I saw how good it was for the first time since getting the Epsons.

[TURIN]

Apology for reviving an oldish thread.

I've been looking for a negative scanner for a while as I have hundreds of old photos and negs that are curling up in boxes in the garage.

After trolling around I have settled on two.

Epson Perfection V350 Photo (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/100179/epson-perfection-v350-photo.html?searchString=Epson+Perfection+V350)

&

Canon CanoScan 8800F (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/128849/canon-canoscan-8800f.html)


The reviews are good but has anyone here had direct use of either?

I am tempted towards the Epson as I'm a cheapskate (and I like the auto-feed feature).

Your thoughts ..:ok:

[srobarts]

I have just bought the Canoscan 8800F after reading the review of scanners published by Which? for slides and negatives they rated the Canon 5* vs the V350 at 3*. Which list as their 3 best buys as the Canonscan 8600F (best for reflective scans), Canoscan 8800f(best for slide/negative scans) and the epson V750 (Good at both reflective and slide/negative).
I have been delighted with the results so far although I have some problem with marks on some negatives as I have posted in this thread.
http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/374773-scanning-negatives.html

[Loose rivets]

You might try comparing the results from using the scanner's software, against copying the negative into Photoshop and converting it there.


As mentioned in several of the discussions on this topic, I have two or three wonderful pictures of my mother with me aged <1. I'd never seen them positive before. The negs were from an old concertina Kodak, and very dirty. I used a lens cleaning technique told me by a microscope shop owner in London. A huff, pause and wipe. It seems that there's just enough water vapor to do the trick without risk to the neg. Erm, you need to convince yourself of this, on ones that you don't care about.

Second link down. Remember, this was taken with a very primitive camera.

http://www.pprune.org/computer-internet-issues-troubleshooting/227349-scanning-lots-negatives-slides.html#post2604951